CNI News

12 August 2022

A Rakhine youth accused of involvement in the death of a Thai citizen after his fingerprints were found on the scene would be released soon, Ko Thein Tun, a labour activist from the Migrant Workers’ Rights Network, who was helping the accused told the CNI.

A court in Songkhla Province examined the accused and three witnesses including Maung San Aye Ko on 9th August.

Ko Thein Tun told the CNI, “Maung San Aye Ko was sentenced to two years and one month in prison for smuggling migrants but he couldn’t be a broker. He was one of the five people for whom warrants were issued in the murder case but he was not involved in the case. His lawyer said Ko Aung Ko Win would surely be acquitted but it was difficult to tell how many court hearings it would take. The next hearing is scheduled on 25th August. Evidence against him was inconclusive and was not sound enough to send him to prison. However, other accused like Chit Ko Ko have not been tried at the court. The court will give its verdicts after all the accused have been tried.”

Four out of the five people for whom warrants were issued are at large and Chit Ko Ko, who was detained with Maung San Aye Ko, will be examined at the court on 25th August.

Maung San Aye, who was sentenced to 2 years and one month in prison for smuggling migrants.

The Rakhine youth whose fingerprints were found on the scene was from Kyai Te Village in Sittwe and his father is a carpenter. He mortgaged his house to send two of his sons to work in Malaysia together with some people from the village.

She was glad to hear that her son would be released soon, Daw Than Kyi May, the mother of Ko Aung Ko Win, told the CNI.

“I couldn’t eat or sleep well before I heard the news. Now, I am glad and can do everything as usual. My health has imporved because my son would be released soon. My husband was so excited that he could not sleep the whole night. It was one of the happiest days in my life. I think I will be happier when my son arrive back. Although we are poor, we will lead a happy family life together with all family members and will be able to eat two meals a day by taking up whatever jobs we can get,” she said.

The two witnesses who appeared at the court were not able to provide enough evidence to prove that the accused was involved in the crime and they were released on 9th August before being sent to a immigration detention centre at the border on 11th August to repatriate to Myanmar.

The mother of the accused, Ko Aung Ko Win

The accused will be repatriated to Myanmar after the court has reached a verdict, said Ko Thein Tun of the MWRN.

“However, we don’t know whether the court will prosecute him for illegally entering Thailand. It depends on the judge but I don’t think so because he has been in police custody for a long time. Moreover, authorities have released more than 400 people who were detained for the case. All of them including Hnin Wutye and Tun Min Soe were sent to the immigration detention centre. He will surely be acquitted but will have to appear at the court until the case has been closed,” he said.

The accused has been standing trial since June and the MWRN is offering assistance for him.

CNI News

12 August 2022 

It is reported that a delegation led by Japanese MP (member of parliament) Mr. Hiromichi Watanabe met with the chairman of SAC, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and discussed Myanmar’s political situation including greater cooperation in business and investment. 

The meeting was held in Nay Pyi Taw on the afternoon of August 11. 

In that meeting, it is known that Myanmar’s political progress and changes, promoting the friendship and cooperation of two countries, enhancing the cooperation of business relations and investment and Myanmar’s political situation are discussed

CNI Interview

12 August, 2022

Major-General Min Aung Hlaing said that more ethnic groups must participate in the political stage, the Hluttaw, in order to claim their regional rights in accordance with the law.

However, Myanmar's political situation is complicated and uncertain, so the ethnic groups are still unable to consider fully entering the parliament and are relying only on the armed path.

The reason for this is that powerful parties and groups within the parliament have rejected the discussions presented by the ethnic groups in the parliament with a majority of votes, and there are people who have turned their backs on the parliament and turned to the armed path.

CNI has asked Colonel Khun Okker, an ethnic armed leader, about these situations.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and SSPP Vice-Chairman (1) and Commander-in-Chief Sat Khe Thai

Q ။ ။ When SSPP and SAC met for peace, SAC said that Hluttaw is the highest political body in a democratic system and that these ethnic groups must participate more in Hluttaw, which is also a political stage, in order to claim their rights in accordance with the law. Considering what they said, could you share your opinion about how much interest do you think ethnic groups and ethnic armed organizations have in this Hluttaw scene?

A ။ ။ Legally speaking, under normal circumstances, speaking of normal circumstances, there are different types of normal conditions. Under the conditions that fully accord with democratic rights, the parliament can do its work willingly. Because of that, Hluttaw can do its work willingly. The government can do its job, the judiciary can do its job and when these three powers can do their job, Hluttaw can also be relied upon since it can work freely. Under normal circumstances, the parliament is reliable.

Q ။ ။ Yes, sir. In the past parliamentary debates, when these ethnic groups presented the demands for their rights, they said that they had experienced disapproval and rejection by a majority vote. Because of that, there are those who chose the armed path. So, how much confidence can we have for these ethnic groups to be involved in the parliament?

Myanmar Parliament

A ။ ။ Now, Hluttaw that emerged in Burma, Hluttaw under U Nu, Hluttaw under U Ne Win, the Union Hluttaw and the State Hluttaw under U Thein Sein. Strictly speaking, they cannot be called a parliament under this form of democracy. Therefore, since the Tatmadaw has 25 percent of the parliament, it is against democracy.
Only 75 percent of the people who were elected turned up, and the party who won only 75 percent was once again dominant. So, the right to speak for ethnic parties and members of ethnic parliaments has shrunk. It shrank quite a lot. So, there is no reason to claim success in any way. According to the current structure made under 2008, there is no reason to be entitled to any rights.

Q ။ ။ Even under the last NLD government, there were some things that were not approved when the ethnic rights were presented and demanded. That’s why they are saying that in the 2023 election that will be held by this miliary council, how much can we trust them when this is part civilian government and part junta?

A ။ ။ From what I see, it is a kind of power sharing. If it is a form of power sharing, it will just be at a level of sharing. It will not become the parliament that guarantees our ethnic rights if that’s the case.

Q ။ ။ Now, when the peace talks are held with these ethnic armed groups, they are talking about holding elections in almost every group. So, why do you think they told the armed groups about this election?

ethnic groups
A ။ ။ To put it clearly, the current SAC, only has these ethnic groups as their partner organizations. Therefore, they consult them and ask for their opinions. How could we ask an enemy to do that? The enemy will just oppose, cancel, and destroy everything we’ll say.
Now that the ethnic groups are their partners, it is like consulting our allies. However, it is assumed that this will be successful only if the opposing forces, who are now major enemies, cooperate. If they are going to forcefully protest to destroy it, I don’t think this election will have good prospects since we are still in a volatile situation.

Q ။ ။ Yes. So can SAC use the upcoming 2023 election as a political exit? Do you think it really is a political exit?

A ။ ။ What we think is more than a political exit. They are currently holding power in accordance with the provisions of the state of emergency provisions enacted in 2008. It has a 2-year term. At the end of the term, how it will be continued depends on them.
If they do it according to the constitution, it is possible that they will end the authority they have attained in accordance with the constitution. We will have to wait and see how it will end and then continue from there. The authority given by the constitution will be terminated in this election. As election can be defined as the last act of authority given by the constitution.

Q ။ ။ Yes. Recently, the ASEAN Special Envoy said he will meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and use his power to put a stop to the violence that is currently happening in the country and the miliary also seemed to be agreeing with him. This is a matter for meeting and discussion, and we would like to know how Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would respond. Can she accept it or not?

A ။ ။ This question is difficult for us to answer. Now they are competing in the international diplomatic front. The government outside and the one reigning inside are competing against each other and we will have to see how this will change the balance of power. As for the Eastern Group, China and Russia are on the side of the Miliary Council and the Western Group is on NUG’s side.

I think Daw Suu’s decision will also depend on how strong and how the balance will be in these power scrambles. I don’t think Daw Suu will be in a rush to decide.

I just assume that Daw Suu will make a decision depending on the unfolding political circumstances if the ASEAN Special Envoy comes in this September.

That’s why it is difficult to make a guess and this is also the time when the competing level of both sides is strong.

ASEAN Special Representative Prat So Khun and General Min Aung Hlaing

Q ။ ။ Yes, some politicians have considered that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will not accept this meeting. If she did, she would have to make some kinds of comment or remark. Otherwise, she would be seen as keeping silent. That’s why they said she will deny the meeting. What do you think of it?

A ။ ။ This is also hard to predict. There is nothing impossible in politics. There will be changes considering the political climate and the international ups and downs.
That’s why I think that whether it’s the election issue or Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s attitude, it’s always changing at the same time. So, it is hard to say in advance whether they will have happened or not. Very often, the prediction goes south. So, it is better to take a guess when it happens.

Q ။ ။ Yes, Colonel. Now, when will the second round of peace talks with SAC be resumed?

A ။ ။ I don’t know. Because after the execution of those four people, the civic movements and social upheavals have accumulated an acceleration which I do not think will be a smooth process. If that even happens, it will probably coincide with the time the ASEAN Special Envoy will come out.
The ASEAN Special Envoy is supposed to come this September, so it will be before that ASEAN Envoy arrives. I don’t see much of that happening in August. I don’t know if it will be released the same time that ASEAN Envoy comes. So far, we haven’t seen the exact invitation. I have only heard that it is all up in the air and there is something special about it. We don’t know the plan yet.

Q ။ ။ Yes, now, what do you want to say as a colonel about SAC’s announcement for the ethnic groups to be more involved in the parliament which is the political platform to demand their rights?

A ။ ။ From what he said, to enter Hluttaw, one must go through the election. According to democratic law, only the person who wins that election becomes a member of parliament. However, there is a need to remove those who are already members of parliament without entering the election.

If so, then what they say is indeed true. If the system that does not require an election to become a minister is still in place, the parliament will not be a reliable parliament. That's all.

CNI News

12 August 2022

The Kayan Literature and Culture Central Committee released the statement that the chairman of the Kayan Literature and Culture Central Committee, U Francisco was gunned down by two unknown people today (August 11) morning.

On that incident, the Kayan Literature and Culture Central Committee announced that they could not accept it at all and strongly condemned this kind of act. Locals said that U Francisco was assassinated near his plantation in Naung Lai village, Pekon Township, Southern Shan State.

But, till now, which organization or person did this assassination and the reason behind that is not officially announced yet.

the statement of the Kayan Literature and Culture Central Committee on the assassination of U Francisco

The Kayan Literature and Culture Central Committee said in today (August 11)’s statement that U Francisco not only is a person who actively leaded and participated in Kayan literacy and cultural matters but also is the one who always helped and supported in education, social and religious activities, and Kayan community and other close people know that he is such kind of a person.

Therefore, the committee stated that at the time of political turmoil, the assassination of U Francisco, the chairman of the Kayan Literature and Culture Central Committee, is not the appropriate solution to the problem and this caused too much suffering to many Kayan people.

U Francisco took the role of speaker in the Kayan Literature and Culture Central Committee from 2012 to 2018 and the role of chairman from 2018 to today (until he was assassinated).

In addition, U Francisco participated in the 2010 General Election as a parliamentary candidate representing the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) from Pekon Constituency and was also a member of parliament.

Then, he did not win in the 2015 and 2020 General Elections.

CNI News

12 August 2022

Trading activities at Rakhine-Bangladesh have come to a grinding halt due to transportation problems and slowing commodity flow, according to merchants in the border area.

Border trade in Sittwe had halted for almost a week due to bad weather and high trading costs, General Secretary U Aung Aung of Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.

U Aung Aung said, “The weather is bad in Sittwe in rainy seasons and we haven’t been able to transport goods to them for almost a week. The weather is very bad in the sea and our ships cannot travel to them. So, border trade was recently carried out in Maungtaw despite higher costs due to difficulties in transportation and it was not profitable for exporters.”

Export volumes in Maungdaw border trade dropped from US$ 2.32 million in June to US$ 1.32 million in July, according to Maungdaw border trading camp.

A border trading camp in Rakhine State.

In August, road conditions were bad and the commodity flow has slowed down and border trade is likely to fall further, according to Vice Chairman U Aung San Thein of Maungdaw Border Trade Merchants Association.

U Aung San Thein told the CNI, “Border trade usually drops in the rainy season because road conditions are bad and the commodity flow slows down. I think border trade will fall further.”

The increase and decrease of border trade at Sittwe and Maungtaw camps depend on export of fresh water carp.

However, it is not the freshwater carp fishing season at the moment.

The border trade volume in Rakhine State is likely to increase again when freshwater carp are available abundantly, according to merchants in Rakhine State.

CNI News

12 August 2022

As SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said to put efforts to increase rice yield, chairman of the Farmers’ Life Development Association U Thein Aung told CNI that fertilizer supply is needed this month (in August) to increase rice yield.

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said on August 8 that he will make sure to perform that farmers get fertilizer, pesticide and agricultural water regarding rice cultivation and production.

The chairperson of the Farmers’ Life Development Association, U Thein Aung told CNI that if those are planned to support, it is necessary to be able to do it during August, and if it goes beyond August, it is not going to be the right time as the rice will be ready to be harvested.

U Thein Aung said, “If they really do it, it is possible if they ask the respective Prime Ministers to implement this plan as they have a mechanism and if the responsible persons, from the State to the district, then district to township then township to the village administrations, do without hesitancy. They have the mechanism and is still in process. So, it can be. But the case is that if it can be done within August, we still have time. If August is passed and September comes, we won’t have time as the rice will be harvested around that time. But we can wait the spring rice.”

SAC meeting

Farmers said that this year, they reduced the use of fertilizers due to the price surge of inputs such as engine fuel, pesticide, fertilizer in growing the rice, thus it will lead to the decrease in rice yield.

So, U Thein Aung said that it would be possible to increase the rice yield if fertilizer supply will be provided during August, but there will not be the increase in rice yield if that supply is not available to the grassroots farmers.

He said, “On the part of the farmers, there are those who plant pure seeds so that they can earn as much as they deserve. However, they may have already grown rainfed rice.

Anyhow, as the last fact, to have the rise in rice yield, it is still probable if they are provided enough manure from the back. It is not that easy. It is possible only if the supply can be provided. But how can it be increased if the plan just remains at the above level and not reaches to the ground?”

Farmers said that this year’s rainfed rice production rate will be reduced by 10 percent due to the reduced fertilizer use. Besides, it is reportedly known that although rice was planted in Rakhine State, fertilizers are mainly needed as there had been damage in rice growing due to drought.

Farmers planting rice

Therefore, U Kyaw Zan, chairman of the Rakhine State Farmers’ Union, told CNI that it would be beneficial to a certain extent if the government can manage the necessary support to the farmers.

U Kyaw Zan said, “Now on our side, not with the support of the government, we are self-supporting. Some are even in the situation that they have given up. For some, they still hold a piece of hope. In some areas, the rain has started to pour again. So, it is seen that they are growing again. At this time, it can be beneficial to some extent, even if it is not 100 percent, if the government can offer the necessary support.”

It is also known that owing to the damage of the cultivated rice as a result of the drought in Rakhine State, there are also farmers who cannot afford to replant and there are some too who left their farms and went to work abroad.

According to the Rakhine Farmers’ Union, more and more farmers have left their farms in Pauktaw, Myebon, Mrauk U, Minbya townships.

CNI News

11 August 2022

Gen. N’Ban La, the chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization warned of rice shortages as rice farming was disrupted by armed conflicts in Central Myanmar, urging the people to exert efforts for cultivation of rice and other crops.

He issued the warning while addressing the 47th Anniversary of the Kachin Martyrs’ Day held in KIO/KIA headquarters in Laiza on 10th August.

Gen. N’Ban La said, “As farming could not be carried out as effectively as previous years in war-torn Central Myanmar, the country might face hungers in upcoming years. So, I want to seriously urge local people to grow rice and other crops in their villages. It is also important to save rice and other foodstuffs.”

The chairman made his speech in Kachin language and some excerpts were translated into Burmese and published by Simsa Kasa Multimedia.

KIA Chief of Staff Gen. Gwan Maw. (Simsa Kasa Multimedia)

Fighting has broken out between the junta troops and the alliance of local PDFs and ethnic armed organizations in Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Chin State, Karen State and Kayah State in Myanmar.

Paddy yields have fallen due to the disruption of farming activities. Although there are no clashes in Rakhine State and Ayeyarwady Region, total acreage of paddy cultivation has decreased due to high costs of inputs like fertilizers, fuel oil and pesticides as well as lack of agricultural water supply and yields are likely to drop, according to farmers.

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said at the meeting held from 8th to 10th August that the government would invest MMK 400 billion to fulfil fertilizer, pesticide, fuel oil and water needs to boost crop yields and streamline agricultural activities.

CNI News

11 August 2022 

Wave Money, one of Myanmar’s leading mobile financial service providers, announced that they team up with Yoma Bank and unlimited cash withdrawal can be made from nearby Yoma Bank branches or ATMs, including transferring money through Wave-Flexi linkage.

 It is known that Wave Money users can use mobile financial services by the digital linking of their Wave Pay with Yoma Bank Flexi Everyday account. Brad Jones, the Chief Executive Officer of Wave Money said, “We are fully aware that our users, agents and partners had to face with the difficulties and challenges for cash withdrawal due to the recent changes and circumstances. 

With the aim of providing a better service to the people, Wave Money has partnered with Yoma Bank and brought Wave-Flexi linkage service for the Wave Money users to make cash withdrawals with no worries and to get payment services. This new service is a help for our agents and partners across Myanmar to be able to make enough cash withdrawals.” 

Wave Money company’s statement describes that Wave-Flexi linkage was started in July, money transfer can be done through Flexi service as Wave Money connects their agents’ Wave Partner accounts with Flexi Connect from Yoma Bank and financial services are being provided by more than 50,000 Wave shops across Myanmar.

Ko Kyaw Soe Lin, Chief Consumer Banking Officer from Yoma Bank said, “We feel very proud to be able to provide better banking services to not only Yoma Bank users but also Wave Money users by joining hands with Wave Money. 

The Flexi service is a big step forward for both Yoma Bank and Wave Money, fulfilling our commitment to bring smooth and convenient financial services. We are working on everything at our best for our users to be easily accessible and able to manage their finances. 

This Flexi Everyday service is the main function which will fulfill our commitment.” It is known that Flexi Everyday account can be opened at Yoma Bank branches.

CNI News

11 August 2022

The Karen National Liberation Army, on 10th August, vowed to realize four principles of its late leader Saw Ba U Gyi including decision-making for its own political destiny.

The pledge was made in a message sent to the 72nd Anniversary to Karen National Martyrs’ Day, which falls on 12th August.

Saw Ba U Gyi adopted four principles: “Surrender is out of the question,” “The recognition of the Karen Country must be completed,” “We shall retain our arms,” and “We shall decide our own political destiny,” according to the message.

He applied three approaches such as political dialogue for a negotiated settlement with Burmese Government, armed struggle and international intervention or arrangement for the Karen people.

The KNLA said in its message, “It has been 73 years since the Karen Revolution started. We have continued our struggle relentlessly for more than 70 years by performing duties which fall on our shoulders and into our hands as historical ones as the mission launched by sacrificing lives of our leader Saw Ba U Gyi, other leaders, comrades and our people has not been accomplished. There are thousands of our leaders, comrades and people who sacrificed their lives for the Karen Revolution without being recognized as martyrs. We would like to urge all to continue to perform unfulfilled historical duties.

Chairman Saw Ba U Gyi

As each leader, comrade and individual has their own duties to be performed, we would like to urge all to stand steadfastly on our principles and approaches laid down by Chairman Saw Ba U Gyi and successive leaders by following guidance and instructions of superior leaders,” the message says.

The Karen Revolution started in 1949 and the current chairman of the Karen National Union is Gen. Mutu Say Poe.

The KNLA and the Karen National Defence Organization are armed wings of the KNU.

Along with other EAOs, the KNU signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the government on 15th October 2015.