CNI News

26 July 2023

The Tatmadaw probably has been attacking Kachin Independence Army (KIA) because it wanted to control KIA's supporting activities to Sagaing Region and Chin State, said U Thein Tun Oo, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, to CNI News. 

Because the KIA has interfered with the domestic stability, the Tatmadaw is attacking it, he said.

"A place that often ignites armed conflicts will be included in the military solution. It goes without saying. KIA has greatly increased its supporting activities to upper Sagaing Region and Chin State. The Tatmadaw needs to control that, I think. And KIA's military activities have interfered with the domestic stability." he said.    

Nam Sanyang area where battles are going on

There are reviews saying that the KIA is giving or selling a lot of weapons to the PDFs. The battles were taking place between the Tatmadaw and the KIA starting from 1st July in Nam Sang Yang. Until now, the two sides have been tense in military, and there were bombings in Nam Sang Yang on 21st July.

CNI tried to contact Col. Nawbu, KIA's information officer, but has not been able to contact him. Nam Sang Yang is an important place to trade with China, so the Tatmadaw is possibly attacking the place, said U Kun Gaung Aung Kham, a Kachin politician to CNI News.

A PDF Force under the command of the KIA

" Nam Sang Yang is a geopolitically important place because it's the nearest place when trading with China. Nam Sang Yang - Laiza route is the nearest one to China. And there are a lot of democratic forces in the KIA control area including Bamar and other ethnic youths. Moreover, the Tatmadaw probably wants to occupy that part. In any case, KIA also is not in a situation to give in when fighting breaks out. KIA has a lot of alliances including Arakan Army (AA), the People' Defense Force (PDF) and Gorkha forces. KIA and its alliance forces have occupied around that area by the thousand and they have been strongly defensing. So, the Tatmadaw dropped the bombs on Nam Sang Yang, I think." he said.

However, the Tatmadaw doesn't seem to drop the bombs on Laiza, headquarters of KIA, because it is too close to the Chinese border, he added. 

Nam Sang Yang Village is on the road between Myitkyina and Bamaw and it is the nearest village to the KIA headquarters. It is just 10 miles from Nam Sang Yang to Laiza.  

CNI News

26 July 2023

Those who have lost their passports in local have to wait six months, which makes difficulties for the people who will go abroad for work or for medical treatment, said the people who carry out for the affairs of workers, and oversea employment agencies to CNI News.

Those who have lost their passports in local have to announce that they have lost their passports in the State-owned newspapers with the recommendations of ward or village administrators and police stations concerned. 

Then, six months after the newspaper in which the announcement has been described was published, one who has lost its passport has to go to Myanmar passport issuing offices with that newspaper and have to apply for a new passport after paying a total of 91,000 Kyats ( 35,000 Kyats for the book and 56,000 Kyats for lost/damaged fine).    

People waiting in line to apply for passports

" Those who have lost their passports find it difficult. Youths who returned from Thailand apply for new passports because They did not get their passports fully stamped in Thailand. For example, job passport (PJ) holders might go abroad to receive medical treatment or to work. If they lost their passports, they would have to wait six months to apply for new passports. How many days does it take? You might not get a new passport just after six months? They will make appointments for QR code." said Daw Myat Hayman Lin, managing director of the Pwint Phu Aung Oversea Employment Agency to CNI News.

Myanmar citizens abroad must go to the relevant embassy in person with necessary documents if they lost or damaged their passports and can apply for new passports after paying a total of 140 USD (35 Dollars for the passport book and 105 Dollars for fine). 

The currently designated amount of money for the passport book and fine was much more than before and a person who lost his passport had to spend over 2,000 Baht when he applied for a new passport before the Covid-19, said Ko Thar Gyi who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers to CNI News.

People waiting in line to apply for passports

" Much, so much. 100 Dollars are equal to 4,000 Bahts at present. The ministry which has designated the amount need to know a worker's daily wage that has been designated by a country concerned. Over 100 Dollars is currently equal to monthly wages of a Myanmar migrant worker. That a Myanmar migrant worker has to pay the amount of money equal to his wages of a month to apply for a new passport shouldn't be. For example, there are about five million Myanmar people in Thailand. That I want to tell the countries where Myanmar people are staying most, if you have to pay over 100 Dollars to apply for a new passport, the amount of money is equal to about 15 day wages. This is exploiting one's own people. This is violating human rights. You could get a passport if you spent about 2,500 or 3,000 Bahts in the past. But now Myanmar citizens who have lost their passports haven't get new passports from Myanmar Embassy in Thailand for eight months or a year." he said.

Because a passport is an evidence that is mainly needed, although it is costly to get it, everyone who goes abroad must get it. So, those who need passports want to get them without delay. 

Moreover, those who had lost their passports in foreign countries have to pay Myanmar money equal to 105 Dollars for fine and 35,000 Kyats for the passport book each when they apply for new passports reportedly.  

CNI News

25 July, 2023

If either the Pheu Thai Party or the Move Forward Party led and formed a new government except for the Thai army, it would be convenient for them, said the people helping in the affairs of Myanmar migrant workers, to CNI News.
If the Thai military regained power, nothing would change about migrant workers, so they wanted a civilian government, they said to CNI News.

" If a civilian government gained the power, its members of parliament that are familiar to migrant workers and trade unions would help at a dialogue or meeting relating to workers' problems. If the military government gained the power, when a discussion relating to migrant workers is held or a decision relating to migrant workers comes out, it may be difficult or costly for the workers. Maybe a fat chance to point out systematically something bad or good." said Ko Naing Naing Aung, Director of the Arakan Workers Organization.

Myanmar migrant workers

The MFP which won most of the seats in the election joined the eight paties to form a coalition government and Pita, the MFP's leader who ran for Prime Minister, was defeated. So, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party which won 2nd most of the seats in the election is making preparations to run for Prime Minister.

Although the two parties had talked about migrant workers in the campaign periods, most of the migrant workers wanted the MFP to form a new government, said U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from FED, to CNI News.  

" We are yellow. We are Move Forward Party supporters. MFP was able to explain about the migrant worker policy more than Pheu Thai. If the basic salaries were increased, the problems relating to the flow of commodity or products. MFP has the policy to solve the problems like that. The youths who are included in the MFP are interested in the matters relating to migrant workers and understand as well. Besides, they know that the migrant workers are a driving force of their country's economy." he said.

the Move Forward Party supporters and Pita

However, the Pheu Thai Party will probably expel the MFP from eight party coalition and there are also reviews that the Pheu Thai Party will likely join the United Thai Nation Party , the backing party of the Thai military . 
If the Pheu Thai Party joined the the United Thai Nation Party, the Thai people possibly would change their attitude on the Pheu Thai Party and then, protests might arise, said those who are carrying out in the affairs of migrant workers.  

The MFP will propose a PM candidate from the Pheu Thai Party at the third joint parliament assembly that will be held on 27th July and the Pheu Thai probably will also propose a PM candidate they have chosen. Most of the Thai people except the people from northern Thailand support the MFP and Pita, the party leader.

CNI News

24 July 2023

Although there was an agreement between ASEAN and Myanmar in relation to implementation of five-point consensus in order to solve the armed conflicts and political crisis currently taking place in Myanmar, discussions whther the implementation is working or not are underway. 
There are reviews relating to the current crisis that has started since 1st February, 2021, has not been able to be solved as yet. 
The State Administration Council was trying to implement the five-point consensus, said U Li Paw Reh, chairman of Lisu National Developmemt Party (Dulei Party) to CNI News. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was attending an ASEAN summit

"The government will wait for some time and then implement this, I think." he said.

The five-point consensus was laid down at the ASEAN Leaders Meeting held in April, 2021 and they are as follow: First, there shall be immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint.
Second, constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people. 
Third, a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the SecretaryGeneral of ASEAN. Fourth, ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre).

 an ASEAN flag was being set fire

Fifth, the special envoy and delegation shall visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned. Realization of the five-point consensus was a matter of priority for ASEAN, said Miss Retno L.P. Marsudi, Indonesian Foreign Minister on 14th July, 2023.

A motorcade carrying delegates from Indonesian and Singaporean embassies was shot in Sisai Township, southern Shan State on 7th May, 2023.
With the armed conflicts becoming widely spread since on the 1st of February, 2021, there have been many civilian deaths, houses damaged and burned, and internally displaced persons.

CNI News

24 July 2023

Some IDP women in Rakhine State don't know about family planning pretty well and international organizations and civil societies are still weak in educating IDP women about family planning, said IDP women.
 
People in IDP camps are finding it difficult about not only food, clothes and shelter but also health items used for women, said Ma Aye Khin, from the Taung Min Kalar IDP camp in Kyauk Taw Township, Rakhine State." Women are told if they give birth to babies, they will get into trouble. 

they will find it difficult to do for a living. But they are not given contraceptive pills. Because they can't buy the pills, they have been pregnant when previous child hasn't been one year old yet. Do the pregnant women have to look after their children? They have various kinds of difficulties. They are weak in health knowledge." she said to CNI News.

A woman from a Rakhine IDP camp (Frontier) 

Although Woman organizations had educated IDP women about health knowledge, IDP women are still weak in health knowledge, Daw Nyo Aye, chairperson of the Arakan Women Network to CNI News.

" Why they are experiencing difficulties, almost every rural clinics have been destroyed. Even before they were destroyed, we didn't have enough staff. Although we had educated women about family planning, we can't say that it was enough. Even though we had thoroughly explained to them about family planning, some women didn't understand. Some women know how to use contraceptive pills, but they sometimes fail to drink a day or two because they are worried about food or worrisome period." she said.

Entrance to Sittwe

Medical aids and healthcare are needed for the people staying in the IDP camps because the people there are weak in health knowledge, said IDPs.

Over 100 women were killed due to armed conflicts in Myanmar from 25th April, 2023 to June 2023, according to the Burmese Women Union (BWU). According to a statement released by IDP Myanmar, there were 810, 889 IDPs due to armed conflicts from 1st February 2021 to 25th April, 2022 and before that, there were 497,200 IDPs. At present there are 1,308,089 IDPs altogether reportedly.

CNI News

24 July 2023

The National Unity Government would start opening its Spring Development Bank on 22nd July, said U Tin Tun Naing, NUG's Minister of Planning, Finance, and Investment at the press conference held on 20th July.

The State Administration Council had been making threats about people's bank accounts and NUG's Ministry of Planning, Finance and Investment was responsible for protecting the people's financial security and privacy, so MOPFI started thinking about establishing the Spring Development Bank, he said.

" In fact, we have established the Spring Development Bank, under the coverage of the three periods _ revolutionary period, transitional period and reconstruction period for the federal system in the future.So, we established the SDB," he said.

For the security of users, registration cards and other pieces of information were not requested, he added.

If a bank was opened, it should have loans, deposits and withdrawals. He wanted the people to do a right and accurate business, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst to CNI News.

U Tin Tun Naing

" A bank has its location and its address. And it must give an exact answer that it is under which bank and under which country. You can open an account. You can open an account called Spring Development Bank account at a foreign bank without representing a normal bank, I think. If you want to perform without any strong evidence, as you like. I want you to do it in a concrete way. I want you to do the right and accurate business. I want to leave a message that I don't want the people to be cheated." he said.

NUD's Ministry of Planning, Finance and Investment published NUG Pay, a mobile wallet platform on 26th June, 2022 and now established the Spring Development Bank,

Myanmar’s First Crypto Bank.

CNI News

24 July 2023

Online sale business has been designated as a critical service and any one who will do the business of online sales must apply for registration, said in a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce on 21st July. 
Due to registration, although there is a reliability for sellers and buyers, it's not convenient for small-scale sellers online without having a big store and fee for registration should be designated at a rate of not too much expense, said Ma Yadi from San Thit clothing dealer, to CNI News.

" Some online shops are quite large and it's convenient for them to register. But small scale sellers through online like us who don't have big shops and many staff aren't convenient to register. We'll register if the fee for registration is not much expensive. We feel registration is reliable." she said.

 Hnine Shin Myint Mo selling online

Sellers online need to register and if sellers online without business registration are found, they will be taken action against under the Section 5 of the Essential Goods and Services Act, said the Ministry of Commerce in its statement. 
Because frauds have increased in online sales, it should be tackled, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst to CNI News.

 Htet Htet Moe Oo selling online

" To tell you frankly, frauds have increased in the online business. They said it's cash on delivery, but buyers have to pay in advance through KBZ Pay. Although buyers have paid  already through K Pay, the goods didn't arrive. In any case, buyers can ask sellers online to show online registration. If only buyers see online registration, they can reliably transfer the money. So, violators can be easily taken actions against. There should be registration. The government get the tax and at the same time, customer side is safe as well." he said.  

If online business is conducted after applying for registration, there will be mutual trust between sellers and buyers, said online shoppers. Officials should carry out field inspection of online sales so that frauds can be tackled, said shoppers and sellers through online.

CNI News

22 July 2023

The State Administration Council probably will hold a peace conference, overtaking the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), said Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party,to CNI News. 

If the peace conference is held based on the NCA, NCA non-signatories will not be able to attend. So, the SAC will probably hold the peace conference, overtaking the NCA, he said.

NSPNC was discussing with UWSA, SSPP,and NDAA on 20th July, 2023

" According to the current situation, will the SAC extend the state of emergency for another six months? If it extends, will the SAC's political ambition and the political ambitions of EAOs (ethnic armed organizations) be discussed, overtaking the NCA? If the conference is held within the framework of NCA, Wa and Myla have to sign on the NCA so that they can attend the conference. And there must be Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. According the Agreement, if only there are an elected government, an elected Hluttaw, they need to approve the result coming from the peace conference. And then the constitution can be amended. The process takes long. When the NSPNC is meeting with two EAOs or Three EAOs or five EAOs, a peace conference led by the Tatmadaw probably will be held after inviting all stakeholders. And then, are they leading to a new constitution? If so, the peace conference may be main. It's thinking about overtaking the 2008 constitution. Maybe let's think about overtaking the NCA." he said.

Currently the SAC and some EAOs are holding peace talks in which the fact that a union peace conference will be held is included reportedly. 
Although the union peace conference was held under the previous civilian governments, it didn't have much effect, said a politician. 
If you want to make the country peaceful, you must carry out everything can make peace, said Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party to CNI News.

U Thein Sein was delivering a speech at the Union Peace Conference

" We are trying to make peace with NCA signatories and we also should talk with the NCA non-signatories. How many times we say that we will walk on the NCA route, there are different views among our EAOs. At a time like this, family members are different from one another in view. But if we want to make our country peaceful, we must create every situation that can make peace." she said.

The Union Peace Conference was held under the government led by President U Thein Sein in 2016 for the first time and the conference was held under the government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in August, 2020 for the last time.

CNI News

21 July 2023

The leaders from the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) discussed with the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC). 

They met at the Horizon Lake View Hotel in Naypyidaw on 20th July, 2023 and went on discussing unfinished matters from the peace processes agreed in previous discussions reportedly.

Delegates from UWSA-SSPP-NDAA on 20th July, 2023

The UWSA delegation was led by U Lo Yaku, the vice chairman of the Wa State Unity Party (WSUP) and the NDAA delegation was led by U San Pae, vice chairman of NDAA. 

And the SSPP delegation was led by Sao Sae Paing Pha, Vice-Chairman 3 of the SSPP. 

The State Administration Council is making preparations to hold a peace conference from discussions with ethnic armed organizations.