CNI News

8 August 2022

Troops of the Kachin Independence Army launched an attack on a frontline outpost of the Shanni Nationalities Army near Hsezin Village in Hpakant Township.

A large number of KIA troops raided the outpost of the SNA in Shwe Pyi Myint Village in Sagaing Region near the border of Kachin State and Sagaing Region, SNA spokesperson Col Sai Aung Main told the CNI.

Col Sai Aung Main said, “As far as I know, a large number of KIA troops raided the outpost at about 1 am on 8th August. We withdrew the troops from the post.  It was a small outport manned by 10 soldiers.”

It was learnt that the KIA and the PDF troops first attacked an outpost of the Tatmadaw in Hsezin Village and then raided the camp of the SNA.

Local resident Ko Nay Lin (The name has been changed.) said that the KIA took over the Tatmadaw camp and raided the SNA outpost in Shwe Pyi Myint Village.

KIA leader Ge. N’Ban La.

He said, “It was heard that the KIA took over the Tatmadaw camp, but we could not go and verify it. At first, we learnt that a fire broke out in the early morning. Then, fighting spread to the SNA outpost in Shwe Pyi Myint village a few minutes later. The village is located in Sagaing Region. The KIA and the SNA troops shot at one another from each side of the suspension bridge. I think it was a small outpost. “

The CNI contacted the KIA over the fighting but they were not able to give comments as they were holding a meeting.

Col Sai Aung Main told the CNI, “If they do not try to solve political issues through political means, we will have to fight them back to defend our people. Conflicts are caused by the plans of the KIA. The PDF would not be able to understand the situation. We can guess that the KIA has a plan to eliminate all Shanni ethnic groups. They will be held accountable for the consequences they created.”

The entrance to Hsezin Village. (Tun Lin Aung)

Fighting broke out between the Tatmadaw and the KIA in the Hsezin area and tensions were running high.

The SNA is active in Hkamti, Homalin, Phaung Pyin, Pinlebu, Wuntho and Banmauk in Sagaing Region and India-Myanmar border regions and Mohnyin and Moekaung in Kachin State.

The SNA is an ethnic armed organization trying to establish Shanni State which comprises Mawlike District, Kale District, Hkamti District, Katha District and Tamu District in Sagaing Region and Bamaw District, Myitkyina District, Mohnyin District and Moekaung in Kachin State.

CNI News 

8 August 2022 

To mark the 34th Anniversary of the 8888 pro-democracy movement, umbrella protests were staged in four venues in Yangon today, according to a statement. 

The umbrella protests were staged at Sule overpass, Bogyoke Market, the bank of Inya Lake and Hledan. 

“Anti-dictatorship protests were staged by using umbrellas marked with 8888. The entire people have been waging the anti-dictatorship struggle for 70 years from the 8888 movement to the Spring Revolution,” according to the statement issued by the Yangon Public Protest. 

Photo- Yangon public protests.

The statement also urged the revolutionary generations to root out the military that has grabbed the country together with the entire people. 

CNI News 

7 August 2022 

According to Myanmar economic analysts, the exchange rate of 1,850 kyats fixed by the Central Bank of Myanmar has been increased by 2,100 kyats, which may lead to an increase in foreign dollar exchange rates. 

In addition to the dollar price, other commodity prices will also rise, said U Ne Win Soe, in charge of the Ayeyar Trading Center, to CNI news agency.  

He said, “Increasing the dollar price was not good. In addition to not being able to control the dollar price, the difference between the external price and the internal price has now become so significant to the point that 1850 is now2400/2500 in the outside dollar price. There is a huge gap between them. Now it has been put up to 2100 which means the outside dollar price will also shoot up. Then the rest of the prices will go up. This is just another form of inflation,” he said. 

All the export earnings from exportation originally had to be exchanged with the exchange rate set by the Central Bank. However, starting from August 5, only 65% of the export earnings were made mandatory to be exchanged in Myanmar Kyat.

 while seeing Myanmar Central Bank (GETTY IMAGES)

However, A Burmese economic analyst, who did not want to be named for security reasons, told CNI that since there has been no announcement how to manage the remaining 35% and how it can be done, we must monitor it and that the dollar price in the market could fluctuate based on the process to allow the issuance of 35 percent. 

He said, "65 percent has to be allocated for the import that they specified. The remaining 35 percent can be sold to an importer of your choice. But the statement did not say what the 35 percent would be allowed to do. Do you have to keep the 35 percent in the bank without transferring it immediately? Do they let us keep it in the bank and transfer the account? Or do they allow cash dollars? The follow up did not clear anything.

What will hit the market depends on it. That 35 percent is not allowed to be cashed out, but if the importer is allowed to trade, then the importer does not have to look for it in the outside market anymore. The search in the market will decrease. If the importer's demand in the foreign market has decreased, the dollar price will fall again.

 But that's not the case, if the dollar is allowed to be issued, the issued dollar will go to the market and the dollar price in the market will fall. These are from the declination point of view. Even the central bank went up and down from 1850 to 2100. There is a question whether the market will follow or not," he said. 

U Thant Zin Tun, a corn trader, told CNI News that since the Central Bank has changed the set rate from 1,850 kyats to 2,100 kyats per dollar, exporters will increase the price when they buy goods from farmers.

 while seeing an export and import business at the port (AFP)

U Thant Zin Tun said, "I think that the dollar price, which is currently rising, may fall again from the huge gap between 1850 and the outside dollar price. And the exportation has also become consistent with the dollar price which means we can get it at a slightly higher price in our local range. 

Then, only 65% can be deposited. Since it is only 35%, we can see this as good. We used to pay 100% and sell it again. That system has now shifted and now only 65% can be imported. It’s only 35% from exportation which gives us discretion for what we want to import.

 In this way, it is said to be good since we can import the important things now such as medicine from other countries.

 The Central Bank of Myanmar controls foreign currency but it cannot sell the dollar which is much-needed in the market, leading to the emergence of dollar black markets. In addition, it has been reported that medicine, food, consumer goods, agricultural equipment, raw materials, and imported goods purchased with dollar are now on the increase. 

The current foreign exchange rate in the foreign market is from more than 2500 to 2800 Burmese dollars for 1 US dollar. Businessmen are also speculating that $1 may rise to 3000 kyats. However, the financial market experts have explained that their process of trading outside is actually a form of buying and selling as they like.

CNI News

7 August 2022

Urging ethnic armed groups to resolve ethnic right issues at parliament raised false hopes, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told an SSPP delegation on 4th August that the parliament was the highest political body in a democracy and ethnic groups were required to participate more in the parliament to demand their rights in accordance with the law.

U Pe Than told the CNI, “Even during the tenure of the National League for Democracy, a so-called democratic party, the parliament did not function properly. Everything was decided by the government. Every motion tabled by ethnic parties was rejected or neglected and budget allocations for ethnic states were meagre. Urging EAOs to discuss the issue of ethnic rights at the parliament during the terms of a semi-military government that will emerge from the proportional representation system raises false hopes. When a government that is clinging to the military dictatorship is in power, there is no way to guarantee ethnic rights. Even if they are willing to do so, they will give minor rights to ethnic peoples.” 

At the same time, the upcoming parliament would not be supported or recognized by the people, he added.

The union parliament in progress in March, 2006.

One of EAO leaders, Col Khun Okkar of the PNLO told the CNI that reserving 25 percent of seats at the parliament for the military was against the principle of democracy and ethnic rights could not be guaranteed under such circumstances.

Col Khun Okkar said, “Frankly speaking, it can be said that parliaments under successive governments including during the term of U Nu, U Ne Win and U Thein Sein were not parliaments under democracy. So, reserving 25 percnet of seats at the parliament for the military is completely contrary to democratic principles. At the same time, the remaining 75 percent of the seats are overwhelmed by the winning influential party. As a result, ethnis parties and their representatives have no say in the parliament. So, there is no way to demand to ethnic rights in the parliament. There are no rights for ethnic groups under the 2008 constitution.”

However, it was learnt that some leaders of ethnic armed groups are serving as candidates, representatives and the speaker of the parliament.

As a result, ethnic leaders felt that their rights were restricted at the parliament, where the powerful took upperhand and opted for armed struggle.

CNI News

7 August, 2022

By profiting from uploading obscene photos and videos that tarnish the venerable Burnese culture and dignity, Thinzar Wint Kyaw and Nan Mwe San were arrested and sued with the case filed under Section 33 (a) of the Telecommunications Law, the news released by SAC from MRTV Television.

The press release stated that in August 2021, Thinzar Wint Kyaw, using the connection of a sex-worker model Shin Yoon Myat, opened an account under the name of Thinzar Wint Kyaw to upload pornographic photos and videos that are commissioned for a pornographic website called Exantria, a website executively operated by Mr. Raphael who lives in America. The news also stated that these sexually suggestive photos and videos have been posted in the website.

MRTV television said, “We have found out that starting from August 20, 2021, Thinzar Wint Kyaw has made money off of uploading X-rated material and the received commission fee was split: 25% from the website and 75% from the poster.

Thinzar Wint Kyaw

Similarly, in September, 2020, Nan Mwe San, with the connection of Ms Kumar whose line of work is the trade of beauty products, is stated to have become acquainted with Exantria Website in-charge person, Mr Raphael.

Then, starting from September 2020, she has reportedly posted pornographic material on the Only Fan website run by Mr. Raphael and is said to have sent X-rated photos and video files to Exantria Website for publication with the reconnection of Mr Raphael starting from January 2021. And the received pay was allocated as 70% for the poster and 30% for the website.

Due to these actions affecting Burmese culture and dignity as well as entailing the disdain towards Burmese women in the eyes of the world, Thinzar Wint Kyaw and Nan Mwe San were sued under Section 33 (a) of the Telecommunications Act.

Nan Mwe San

Correspondingly, SAC announced on MRTV television that those who are engaging in actions that are seen as an affront to the honor and dignity of Burmese women will be identified and effectively taken a lawful action against.

Section 33(a) of the Electronic Communications Act is stipulated as doing any acts that can be perceived as an offense towards national security, law enforcement and territorial peace, ethnic unity, national economy or national culture. Anyone convicted under Article 33 (a) shall be imprisoned for a minimum of 7 years to a maximum of 15 years. It is stipulated that fines can also be imposed.

 CNI News 

6 August 2022 

There was talk in the international community of expelling Myanmar from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by adopting a new approach if the five-point consensus of the association to solve the Myanmar political crisis fails to work. 

However, political observers at home and in the diaspora community said that it was unlikely for the ASEAN to expel Myanmar from the regional body. 

Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-based political observer, told the CNI, “The ASEAN is not likely to expel Myanmar from their association. It was learnt that a Myanmar diplomat attended the foreign ministers meeting of the ASEAN although Myanmar was not officially invited. So, a paragraph had to be dropped from the joint communique because of the protest of the diplomat. However, it is unlikely that the ASEAN will expel Myanmar from the regional body because it needs to build the regional economic forum into an entire supply chain. It may take action against or apply pressure on the junta.

US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said in his interview with the VOS Burmese that the ASEAN was required to review the situation and take action against Myanmar by suspending its membership. 

US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken at the ASEAN meeting.

He said, “Well, I think it has to take account of the fact that the regime has refused to implement the five-point consensus and draw whatever conclusions it must from that. I think making sure, right now, that there is nonpolitical representation in ASEAN is exactly the right step. But if this continues, I think ASEAN has to look at what that means, including suspension of Myanmar.”

 Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw added that nowadays, the US can no longer dictate what it wants to other countries. 

The ASEAN recently decided not to invite the SAC to its foreign ministers' meetings and summits and to allow it to send a non-political diplomatic representative. 

Prak Sokhonn, the Cambodian foreign minister and ASEAN special envoy, said that Myanmar generals were required to show progress and the ASEAN agreed that without future progress, its position on Myanmar would have to be reconsidered.

 Political Analyst U Ye Tun said that it was possible for the ASEAN to expel Myanmar from the regional body if they could reach a consensus on the issue. 

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, “According to the ASEAN Charter, important decisions are made by consensus. So, if all member states agree to expel Myanmar, it is possible to do so. If the SAC decides to suspend membership or leave the regional body because it did not invite them to its meetings, the ASEAN will also have to expel Myanmar.”

 SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said in his speech on 1st August, 2022 that Myanmar was not able to implement the five-point consensus of the ASEAN due to instabilities and might be able to do so in the future. 

The five-point consensus includes ending violence, release of political prisoners, dialogues with all stakeholders, providing humanitarian assistance and appointment of a special envoy to mediate political dialogues.

 ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn visited Myanmar twice but failed to make progress to help overcome Myanmar political crisis. It was learnt that the SAC promised to allow the special envoy to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on his third visit to Myanmar in September-October.

CNI News

6 August 2022

There was no conducive environment for cooperation between the United League of Arakan/ Arakan Army and the Arakan Liberation Party, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Although both parties issued various statements on cooperation between them in the interests of Rakhine State, they were not able to hold discussions, he added.

U Pe Than told the CNI, “Before tensions increased between the two parties, we saw that they should cooperate for the national cause. Even if they could not unify their parties, they should engage in negotiations to cooperate in the interests of Rakhine State and its people. However, the strength of one side decreased significantly while that of the other increased dramatically and was not interested in unification. People in Rakhine State support the ULA/AA, which can control almost the entire Rakhine State. Under such circumstances, the ULA/AA is not interested in unifying the two parties. However, we think that the two parties should cooperate in the interests of the people in Rakhine State. Meanwhile, the situation in Rakhine State leads not to political dialogue but to military confrontation. So, there is no conducive environment for cooperation between them. As a result, they are not able to engage in negotiations, I think.”

Vice Chairperson Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin and Lt-Gen Khaing Paw Lin, who was detained by the AA.

Furthermore, it could be difficult to allocate duties and responsibilities between the ULA/AA and the ALP in unification, U Pe Than added.

Recently, the ALP issued a statement saying that the AA detained ALP Central Committee Member Lt-Col Kahing Paw Lin at his house on 2nd August, 2022. However, the AA did not say anything about the arrest.

The ALP statement also said that the current conflict between the AA and the ALP, both of which are formed with members of the same ethnic group struggling for the same goal, at a time of political crisis could tarnish the image of Rakhine people among ethnic alliances and in the international community.

U Pe Than said, “I don’t know what led to the arrest of Khaing Paw Lin. However, the ALP also said that they have arrested hard cores of the AA in Sittwe. They arrested the members of the AA after wearing the uniforms of the military and the police. The situation is getting worse. If the ALP does so because it cannot compete with the AA militarily and organizationally, it will eventually become a lackey of the junta, which pits one party against another. The ALP could become an organization exploited by the junta to defeat the AA. The ALP should not take the path.”

 The ALP holds negotiations with the SAC

The CNI contacted the ALP repeatedly for comments on the issues but the ALP did not answer the phone.

Both the AA and the ALP are armed organizations of the Rakhine ethnic group.

The ALP is a signatory of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement while the AA is still under negotiations to join the agreement.

CNI News

6 August, 2022

There are suggestions from the Burmese community in Japan that the Japanese language proficiency test is not just the JLPT conducted by the Japanese government, but can also be taken by the private companies recognized by the Japanese government, such as Net Test and Top J.

In order to take the JLPT in December 2022, there were many people who came to register for applications early in the morning at the Yangon Examination Department today (August 5). MAJA (Myanmar Japanese Returned Alumni Association) has announced that those who have purchased an application but have not yet made a submission for JLPT 2022 December will be accepted through the pre-booking system.

“Therefore, instead of many people gathering to take the JLPT, it is better to take the Net Test instead”, said Naytic Asia Agency Director Ko Ne Oo Ko to CNI News.

Ko Ne Oo Ko said, “They are really dead set on JLPT. This can be exhausting. They should rather take the Net Test regularly on their own which is every two months. But the course fee is a little high.”

Net Test is also recognized by Japan. As for the JLPT, it's something that the Japanese government organizes. It's a government exam. Net Test is private. It’s another Japanese learning institution which is also recognized by the government. As for the JLPT, it's something that the Japanese government itself conducts, so they insist that it's better.

JLP Exam Applicants

It’s better to take the Net Test instead of relentlessly going after the JLPT. Otherwise, it is tiring. It’s not just a few people but an enormous crowd. The fact that it is organized by the government is the most significant appeal to JLPT.”

If you take the Net Test, the course fee is about 80,000. If you take the JLPT, the exam fee and the form fee cost almost as much as the course fee for taking the Net Test. The JLPT exam is conducted only twice a year.

If you pass the Net Test, you can get the same job as you do with JLPT. Naytic Asia agency director Ko Ne Oo Ko said that they were also accepted when applying for a visa.
Ko Min, who will take N4 this year, told CNI news that there was no such mass of people buying applications to take N5 with JLPT in 2018.

Ko Min Nakh said, "It's because of the combination of the pandemic and the political circumstances. It can be said that the number of people who will go to Japan in the next two years has increased. We also see that the number of students in these training schools is higher than before. Even if I fill out the form now and upload it right now, sometimes there are rejections, so I think it’s a pretty tough odds to make this a smooth process now.”

Now it's crowded, and on the other hand, there are difficulties for people who sell applications. Since our training school is taking charge right now, things have been going well since yesterday," he said.

The Myanmar Overseas Employment Service Entrepreneurs Association (MOEAF) reported that the number of Myanmar youths going abroad to work has been escalating. Among them, the number of people going Japan to work has seen a sharp increase, compared with the pre-pandemic period.

CNI News

6 August, 2022

For the ethnic groups to be able to demand the rights of their region in accordance with the law, Major-General Min Aung Hlaing said that the political stage must be more involved in the Hluttaw.

Today (August 40, he met with the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) led by Vice Chairman (1) Sat Khe Tai and said the above while discussing the peace process with the delegation.

SAC Chairman said, “In a democratic system, the parliament is politically the highest. The ethnic groups must be more involved in the parliament in order to be able to demand the rights of their region in accordance with the law.”

Then, during the peace meeting and discussion, he continued to say that the demands of the ethnic armed group as well as the matter of what is really necessary and appropriate for the region and the country will be discussed at length and the meeting will need to uphold the value of open-mindedness and broad perspective with the benefit of the Union in mind.
Issues related to the implementation of a multi-party democratic system that meets the will of the public and union building issues based on democracy and federalism were explained and discussed by the president of SAC to the representatives of SSPP.

The meeting between SAC and the delegation led by SSPP Vice-Chairman (1) Sat Khe Tai

SSPP Vice-chairman (1) Sat Khe Tai said, “The Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) is honored to have been invited to participate in peace talks like this and we will continue to actively engage in the peace talks.”

Then, SSPP goes on to say that if all ethnic groups work together in unity, we will certainly be able to build a great developed future Union State. Issues such as the implementation of a multi-party democratic system as well as union construction based on democracy and federalism were discussed again by the SSPP side.

According to the announcement of SAC, the Chairman of SAC, General Min Aung Hlaing, said that the military will continue to operate as the protector of the country (Guardian) and that the ethnic groups need to work in accordance with the law conditions, rules and democratic practices in order for them to have democratic and federal rights.

Then, the delegation of SSPP and the peace group led by the Deputy General of SAC, Yar Pyae, will continue to discuss and deliberate from August 5 to 6. SSPP has signed a state-level, union-level preliminary ceasefire agreement (Bilateral) but it is also a Shan armed force that has not yet signed a nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA).