CNI News

28 Mar 2023

As checkpoints along highways cause transportation delays and fuel quotas for filling stations have been cut, filling stations in Rakhine and Mon states have faced fuel shortages, according to owners of filling stations.

Fuel is transported from Thilawa terminal in Yangon to Mon state and fuel bowsers have to wait for two days at Nyaung Karshe X-Ray Checkpoint.

A filling station in Mon state.

As a result, there are fuel shortages in Mon State, a filling station owner in Mawlamyine told the CNI.

She said, "We are from Mawlamyine and we have to pass the X-Ray gates. So, we face delays. The government has set quotas for us as well as sale quotas of fuels for each day at the terminal. When the quotas have been reached, they close the terminal. We have to wait until the next day. Moreover, we have to wait two days to pass through the X-Ray checkpoint. Recently, fuel quotas have been cut. So, we cannot supply enough fuel for our customers. In addition, fuel demands are rising during the tour season."

Filling stations have been allowed to get their quotas every three days. As fuel quotas last only three days, there are shortages when transportation is delayed.

Moreover, there are fuel shortages because the demand for fuel rises during tour seasons.

A DENKO filling station.

Filling stations in Rakhine State have called on authorities to distribute their fuel quotas once a week because it is difficult for them to come to Yangon in time, a filling station owner from Taungup told the CNI.

He said, "There are fuel shortages. We are required to take out our fuel quotas every three days. However, it takes three day to travel from Rakhine State to Yangon. In Yangon, we hire fuel bowsers to take out our fuel quotas. Then, we move fuel from bowsers into barrels to transport them to Rakhine State on trucks. It is very difficult for us. We don't have enough time to transport fuel to Rakhine state. If we cannot take out our quotas within a week, they cancel the remaining quotas. And then, they have cut our quotas. So, there are fuel shortages in Rakhine state.

As there are fuel shortages at filling stations, some of them are limiting their fuel sales to prevent further shortages before their new quotas are available.

CNI News

26 Mar 2023

The collapse of some banks in western countries like the US and Switzerland will not affect Myanmar banks, according to economic observers.

The Central Bank of Myanmar has guaranteed that it will address the crises of all banks if they are in danger of collapse and Myanmar banks are not likely to collapse because no banks collapsed even during the political crisis, Economic Observer  U Thet Zaw told the CNI.

He said,"Basically, one country is different from another. In Myanmar, the CBM has guaranteed that it will address the crises of banks if they are in danger of collapse. Deposits will not be lost. Normally, customers don't need to be worried about their deposits. No banks collapsed even during the political crisis. Under the current normal circumstances, banks are highly unlikely to fall. They are likely to collapse when loans are not repaid. However, the CBM has prevented such scenarios by requiring banks to submit daily reports to it. There will be problems when borrowers cannot repay loans from banks."

As banks in Myanmar have been able to address bad loans in successive eras and no banks have collapsed but it is important to tackle the issue, Banking Expert U Htay Aung Kyi told the CNI.

People waiting to withdraw money from KBZ Bank.

He said, "The impact of the fall of banks in other countries is another issue.  Myanmar banks have their own problems known as non-performing loans. As authorities have tackled the issue prudently, the situation has not exacerbated. The central bank has guaranteed that all deposits will not be lost. The collapse of banks in other countries is not likely to affect us because we have only a few transactions with them. I don't think it will affect us. It is more important to focus on our own problems.

He said that the CBM has been regulating banks to help prevent them from collapse, banks are required to maintain sufficient levels of cash and experts are required to develop policies to create favourable economic, political and legal environments.

Due to political changes, local banking operations have been delayed and limited amounts of deposits are allowed to be withdrawn.

Although banks have allowed their customers to withdraw larger amounts of deposit, it is still difficult to say that banking operations in Myanmar have returned to normal.           

CNI News

26 Mar 2023

Political observers are wondering why Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been silent although she should make comments about the current political crisis.

They think that the current political crisis would be resolved to some extent if she made a comment about it.

He thinks that her comments are not available because the situation may be too complicated for her to make assessments or she has been prohibited from communicating with people outside prison, Ethnic Leader Col Khun Okkar told the CNI.

He said, "I think the situation is too complicated for her to make assessments. Another factor is that she might have been denied access to the outside world and communication channels might have been blocked. So, her comments are not available."

Currently, there are disagreements between exile members of the National League for Democracy in liberated areas and their counterparts who are still in the country.

The State Administration Council enacted the new political parties registration law on 31 January, which requires political parties to re-register within 60 days from the enactment of the law or face dissolution.

The stance of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can only be known when there are mediating individuals and organizations, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI.

A demonstration in support of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

He said, "Will the NLD try to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi? How can we make a voice heard by the SAC? We need mediation. Otherwise, it is difficult to hear her voice. It is difficult for Daw Sandar Min and U Toe Lwin to meet her. Will the International Committee of the Red Cross mediate? I think the NLD will have to decide whether they will register again. They have a large number of offices in the entire country. The future political situation depends on the capabilities of the mediator."

China seems to be mediating in the peace process of Myanmar but the Chinese approach will be different from western countries, which support the NUG., he added.

The NUG and the PDF.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been silent because she may be taking the time to play a role in the political crisis, a political party leader said.

The military detained NLD leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint  on 1st February, 2021 after accusing them of attempting to form a new government without settling voters' list disputes.

Then, the military declared a state of emergency and formed the SAC to run administrative, judicial and legislative functions.

As a result, the NUG, the PDF and the LDF have launched an armed struggle to topple the junta.             

CNI News

26 Mar 2023

The announcement of restructuring the Arakan Liberation Party by the faction led by self-appointed Chairperson Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin is illegitimate, General Secretary Kahing Kyaw Khaing of the ALP faction told the CNI.

He said she had restructured the ALP without informing more than 90 percent of central committee members and requested the media not to refer to her as the chairperson.

He said," She established a new party which is chaired by herself. All these are illegitimate. We are issuing a statement to the media. I would like to make a request to the media not to refer to her as the chairperson of the ALP because she did what she wanted to do without informing more than 90 percent of central committee members."

However, Daw Saw Mya Yarzar Lin said her chairmanship is legitimate and the majority of central committee members have stood together with her.

She told the CNI, "Our party is legitimate. The majority of central committee members are together with us. I can prove this. We held meetings with the majority of commanders four times before issuing the statement. So, they cannot say we are illegitimate. They cannot expel me from the party because we have left them. I have already made the point clear in our statement. I will not accept the decision of those who have been on the run and lost touch with the party and the army for more than six months."

Khaing Ye Khaing and members.

The faction issued a statement on 19th March, 2023, announcing the restructuring of the ALP, which is chaired by former vice chairperson Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin. Khaing Ni Aung was appointed as the vice chairman.

The ALP has been pursuing its own policies after signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, according to Khaing Kyaw Khaing.

     Khaing So Naing Aung.

He said, "Chairman Khaing Ye Khaing is one of the founders of the revolutionary party, which launched an armed struggle. However, our party signed the NCA in 2015. Although the NCA has stalled, we are still pursuing the line. It doesn't mean that her faction will continue to pursue the NCA and our faction will not."

In January, 2022, the faction led by Chairman Khaing Ye Khaing and Daw Saw Mya Yarzar Lin expelled the faction led by Vice Chairman Khaing Soe Naing Aung after accusing them of forming a new party.     

CNI News

25 Mar 2023

As the National Unity Government says it has been trying to force the State Administration Council to stand before a tribunal, political observers have raised a question whether it was possible or not.

In a recent meeting of the NUG, the issue was discussed.

He thinks it is just a maneuver of the NUG that is unlikely to achieve success, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party Dr Aye Maung told the CNI.

Dr Aye Maung said," I think it is just a maneuver of the NUG that is unlikely to take effect. The SAC will take its own path. Some political parties and ethnic organizations are following the path and cooperating with the SAC for elections. So, it is not the NUG but the SAC that holds the key. It is just a maneuver that will not achieve success."

He added that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had appeared before the International Court of Justice and the ICJ would not be able to address the issue. He said the International Criminal Court is not recognized by the majority of the UN Security Council members.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and former Chinese Foreign Minister Wan Yi.

At the NUG meeting on 21st March, NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La said that it was encouraging to see that Myanmar women human rights activists were able to make a point of bringing the SAC before a tribunal at a press conference, which was held before the closed door meeting of the security council.

Talking about bringing the SAC before a tribunal is intended to give an inspiration to resistance forces, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

He said, "I think it is just a claim to give inspiration to their forces. The situation has not ripened. First of all, it is necessary to defeat the forces of the SAC. As long as they cannot rout SAC forces, the SAC will make attempts to take its own path under the protection of dictators."

A protest against military rule.

After the SAC took over power on 1st February 2021, protests and armed conflicts erupted to topple the military.

Armed conflicts have erupted between the military and allied forces of some EAOs and People Defence Forces in Kayin State, Kayah (Karenni) State, Chin State, Sagaing Region and Magway Region.

CNI News

25 Mar 2023

The National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee and leaders of the United Wa State Army, the Shan State Progressive Party and the National Democratic Alliance Army discussed regional stability and election issues on 22nd March, 2023.

They discussed demands of respective groups, regional development and stability, elections, the peace conference and amending some provisions of the 2008 constitution.

The meeting was attended by NSPNC Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, SAC Member Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, Secretary of the NSPNC Lt-Gen Win Bo Shein, Vice Chairman of the UWSA U Lord Yarku, Vice Chairman of the NDAA U San Pae and Central Committee Member of the SSPP Sao Say Pai Pha.

The NSPNC and leaders of the UWSA, NDAA and SSPP hold discussions on 22nd March, 2023.

The meeting is scheduled to continue until 23rd March.

Negotiation between the three northern alliance and the SAC first started in September, 2022.

The SAC has planned to hold a general election and promised to transfer power to the winning party.

The NSPNC and leaders of the UWSA, NDAA and SSPP hold discussions on 22nd March, 2023.

At the same time, the Union Election Commission enacted the Political Parties Registration Law on 31st March, 2023 and political parties are required to register with the commission within 60 days from the enactment of the law.

A total of 38 parties have registered with the commission.

CNI News

25 Mar 2023

Plans are underway to build private Thingyan pavilions without imposing taxes on a first-come-first served basis in Mandalay to encourage festivities during the Thingyan festival, according to the Mandalay City Development Committee.

Applications for construction of Thingyan pavilions have been received and the Thingyan festival will be full of festivities, Spokesperson U Thein Htay of the Mandalay Region Government told the CNI.

He said, "Organizers are not required to pay taxes and we will give permissions to build pavilions on a first-come-first served basis from 16th street to 18th street along 26th street and from 19th street to 26th street along 66th street. We have received some applications. Some have chosen the sites for their pavilions. We are trying to make the festival more festive. We have not celebrated the festival for a long time due to COVID. We will celebrate the festival again this year."

Participants in a Thingyan festival.

At present, the Mandalay Mayor's Pavilion is being constructed in front of the Office of the MCDC and discussions with companies and entrepreneurs are underway to build pavilions around the moat, at Zegyo Market and other busy places.

Pavilion organizers are required to apply for permission to build pavilions, an MCDC official told the CNI.

He said, "We do not levy taxes on pavilions this year. We have announced that those who want to build pavilions can apply for permissions to do so whether they use pumps or not. We will submit the applications to the regional government and seek approvals."

Before the outbreak of COVID, pavilion organizers were required to pay at least MMK 10 million to build a pavilion of 100-foot x 25 foot around the moat through the auction system. However, organizers are not required to pay taxes this year.

Participants in a Thingyan festival.

Walking Thingyan festivals will be organized along 26th street and from 66th street to 78th street.

Walking Thingyan festivals were first organized during the term of the NLD by levying taxes ranging from MMK 500,000 to MMK 1.5 million depending on the size of pavilions.

CNI News

23 Mar 2023

As a large number of Myanmar nationals who hold visit visas opened accounts at the Bangkok Bank in Thailand, the bank is likely to suspend such accounts, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.

The bank has suspended opening such accounts for holders of visit visas since 8th March, the Myanmar embassy in Thailand announced.

The number of Myanmar nationals who open accounts at the Bangkok Bank by faking recommendations from hospitals and clinics and applying documents recommending that they are Myanmar nationals have increased recently, Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar workers in Thailand, told the CNI.

He said, "There are Myanmar patients who come to Thailand to receive medical treatments. Although they hold visit visas, the bank opens accounts for them by requiring them to submit recommendations from the Myanmar embassy and their physicians. Therefore, such accounts have increased recently. Some Myanmar nationals do not understand money laundering laws. They fake recommendations from hospitals and clinics, apply for the embassy recommendations to open bank accounts. The Thai government has been launching an anti-money laundering campaign for four months before the embassy announcement. When the Thai anti-money laundering agencies investigated the accounts, the majority of them were of Myanmar nationals who came to Thailand on visit visas. Thai authorities know whether such visas and accounts are still valid. However, there are transactions in the accounts."

A counter offering services of the Bangkok Bank at the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.

Despite suspension of opening accounts for visit visas at the Bangkok Bank, the bank will continue to open accounts for holders of business visas, students at private and public schools, patients receiving treatments at hospitals, those who submit property rights, investors, staff of NOGs, retirement visa holders and members of religious organizations with the recommendations of the embassy.

However, holders of Thailand Elite/Thailand Privilege Card, foreigner members of Thai household lists and legal migrant workers are not required to apply for the recommendations from the embassy, according to the announcement.
The suspension of opening accounts at the Bangkok Bank for foreigners who hold visit visas will cause delays for Myanmar nationals who really need bank accounts, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He said, "Thai authorities are launching investigations into drug trafficking, money laundering and tax evasion. They have intensified the operations. However, there are about 10 exceptions for business visa holders, students, investors, members of religious orders and legal migrant workers. When migrant workers have officially registered, they can open bank accounts officially."

As Thai authorities are launching a campaign against money laundering, they are worried about opening accounts for those who are involved in illegal businesses, according to labour activists.

CNI News

23 Mar 2023

As Rakhine State was hit by gales on 20th March and shelters in camps for internally displaced people were damaged, IDPs have needed aid, according to them.

More than 80 shelters of IDPs were destroyed by the gales in Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung and Mrauk-U townships.

Although international organizations are providing assistance to IDPs, it will take a long time to receive assistance for rebuilding the shelters. As rains are expected, we are worried that the rain will further damage more shelters, Ma Aye Khaing, a woman leader from Taungminkalar IDP camp in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, told the CNI.

She said, "Some shelters were damaged. Roofs were blown away. Walls were destroyed. From 10 to 20 shelters were damaged in each camp. We need to rebuild shelters in early April. However, it will take time to receive aid from international organizations. Monsoon has started. One or two more rains will destroy all shelters. We are worried because there are many vulnerable groups like single mothers, infants, pregnant women and the disabled."

An IDP camp in Rakhine State.

In some IDP camps, shelters are being rebuilt on a self-help basis by using thatches, bamboo and small wood posts.

IDP Ko Tun Nyo from Tainpyin IDP camp told the CNI, "Our camp is located in a monastery compound. Now, the roofs of all shelters have been damaged. Now, it is raining unseasonably. It is very difficult for residents and will be more difficult when the rainy season begins."

As the monsoon is going to begin soon, IDPs want to rebuild their shelters as soon as possible, he added.

Those who lost their shelters to the gales include residents from Zeditaung and Pyarchaunggyi IDP camps in Rathedaung Township, Kawiyadana camp in Kyauktaw Township and Gananhtaung and Butaryon camps in Ponnagyun Township.