CNI News

11 Nov 2022

Political parties’ working group the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee has called on the State Administration Council for amendment of over 70 sections of the 2008 Constitution.

The National Solidarity and Peace-making Negotiation Committee held negotiations with the political parties’ working group of the UPDJC on 28th October.

Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein, a representative of the working group, told the CNI that she had called for an end to reserving 25 percent of parliament seats for military personnel in future parliaments.

She said, “I called for an end to reserving 25 percent of parliamentary seats for military personnel in the future parliaments if federal democracy governments are to be formed. I was not calling on them to withdraw from parliament overnight because the political situation is very complicated. The military is an indispensable institution in a country. So, I called on them for their reduced presence in the parliament by percentage.

  Members of the NSPNC.

As the constitution must be amended at the parliament, the working group might have been discussing the proposed amendments, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

He said, “We don’t know their working procedures exactly. As far as I know, they were just discussing the proposed amendments and no significant agreements have been reached. However, the constitution can only be amended at the parliament. They might have been talking about it.”

Among the over 70 proposed amendments, the military reportedly agreed to revise Section 261 of the constitution.

 A meeting between the NSPNC and political parties’ working group of the UPDJC.

Spokesperson Naing Than Shwe of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI, “There has been a large number of proposed amendments. Even our party submitted a research paper on constitutional amendments. Under the current circumstances, we have to submit proposed amendments to the UPDJC. I don’t remember exactly because there were too many proposed amendments. We will have to discuss with other political parties when we return from the working group meeting.”

The UPDJC is made up of 16 representatives from the government, the parliament and the military, 16 representatives from signatory EAOs to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and 16 representatives under the NCA.

As the military ousted the NLD government and declared a state of emergency on 1st February,2021, some EAOs have suspended participation in the UPDJC.

CNI News

10 Nov 2022

Compared with previous months, tourist arrivals increased during the Tazaungdaing Festival, the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

The resurgence of tourist arrivals added new momentum for the struggling tourism industry, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the MTEA told the CNI.

He said, “The arrivals of foreign tourists increased in early November for local destinations and package tours. However, they have not visited Myanmar en masse at present. Moreover, some tourists from Thailand and ASEAN countries have returned in small groups to Myanmar. It can be said that tour operations have revived a little. During the Thadingyut Festival in October, we had to provide services for domestic tourists alone as there were only a few foreign tourists. Now, there is a large number of domestic tourists while foreign tourist arrivals have resurged. Some tour companies were able to sell more package tours to foreign tourists. It is certain that foreign tourist arrivals have increased.”

 Tourists at Peik Chin Myaung in PyinOoLwin.

The majority of foreign tourist visiting Myanmar are not from western countries but from neighbouring countries, especially from Thailand.

Compared with the Thadingyut Festival, more foreign tourists visited Myanmar during the Tazaungdaing Festival while the number of domestic tourists rose.

Compared with previous months, the number of domestic tourists rose during the Tazaungdaing Festival in early November by only a few hundreds, Deputy Director U Sithu Kyaw of Shan State Directorate of Hotels and Tourism told the CNI.

He said, “Hotels were almost fully booked in Taunggyi and Kalaw in Shan State (South) as of September although the tour season usually starts in October. About 30,000 domestic tourists visited Taunggyi in September. The number of visitors to the town significantly rose to 53,000 in October. The trend has continued in November and hotels were fully booked due to the Tazaungdaing Festival. However, we still received low foreign tourist arrivals with about 300 foreign tourists. It is true that foreign tourist arrivals have increased by only a few hundreds.”

     PyinOoLwin Tazaungdaing Festival in progress on 6th November, 2022.

Tour operators have expected that more domestic and foreign tourists will travel in Myanmar during the Christmas and New Year holiday in December as the tragedy like what happened at the Kyaiktiyo in Thadingyut Festival in October did not take place during the Tazaungdaing Festival.

Very few people travelled with the arrangement tour agencies during previous months. Domestic tour activities resumed during the Thadingyut Festival and the Tazaungdaing Festival.

Tourism entrepreneurs hope that the industry, which suffered impacts of COVID-19, will recover soon if the trend continues.

CNI News

10 Nov 2022

Instabilities and tight stop and search operations in some areas in Mon State have posed difficulties for watching migratory birds, according to environmental conservation associations and bird watchers.

Moreover, due to higher costs and checkpoints, documenting migratory birds was impossible in some areas, Chairman Ko Thaung of Ahlat Environmental Conservation Association told the CNI.

He said, “We dare not go to some areas like Paung and Talkin. We can go to Kathe and Htanbinchaung but even travelling to Htanbinchaung by motorbike costs MMK 8,000 per person. As we have to spend our own money, we cannot go to document migratory birds. When we go to watch migratory birds, we need to bring binoculars. If authorities seize our binoculars because they suspect us of something, we will lose our binoculars. And checkpoints ask us questions over our trips and have banned riding a motorbike by two people.”

Mon State Defence Force. (MSDF)

Bird watchers from other states and regions including Yangon are planning to visit Mon State but the association had to tell them not to come to Mon State because of instabilities in the state.

The number of migratory birds to Mon State is still low at the beginning of the cold season. Bird watchers cannot go to mountains but it is possible for them to go to beaches, U Aung Kyaw, a bird watcher from Mon State, told the CNI.

Migratory birds in Paliek Lake in Singaing in Mandalay Region.

He told the CNI, “ It is possible for them to watch migratory birds at beaches like Kathe, Malarchaung, Shwetharhlaung and Dekhintan. If they want to go to upper areas by motorbike, it is difficult for them. There were some bird watchers in such areas. However, the number of birds which migrated to Mon State is not as many as last year because silt has not collected at beaches. There are only about 2,000 migratory birds in Mon State.”

Migratory birds start arriving in Myanmar in November but they usually migrate to Myanmar en masse in December and January.

However, negligent hunting of migratory birds in Myanmar has posed a threat to survival of over 50 species of endangered birds included in the red list such as spoonbills and cranes and emergency measures must be taken urgently.

CNI News

10 Nov 2022

The consequences of holding or cancelling the general election planned for 2023 by the State Administration Council are being debated because the opposition is disrupting the efforts.

The SAC announced that a general election would be held in 2023 while Acting President Duwa Lashi La of the National Unity Government, which has been fighting to topple the junta, said on 11th October, 2022 that the general election planned by the SAC must be disrupted without fail.

The success of the general election does not bode well for the country but cancelling it may aggravate the situation, EAO Leader Col Khun Okkar told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “Neither is good for the country. Holding the general election does not augur well for the country but cancellation of it may worsen the current situation. If the election is cancelled, lawlessness will prevail. If the election is held as scheduled, conflicts will prevail, causing enormous damage.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi cast her early vote in the 2020 general election. (AP)

Elections held by the SAC would not be free and fair and the majority of the public would not trust them, Spokesperson Lway Chi Sanga of Ta’ang Women Organization told the CNI.

She said, “No one trust them. If they hold a general election, it can’t be free and fair. The majority of the people will not support them. Very few people who do not understand politics will go to vote. I can’t say exactly whether the general election will be held or not. It depends only on their decision.”

Military rule is likely to be perpetuated if the general election cannot be held in 2023, Secretary Mai Ohn Khaing of the Ta’ang National Party told the CNI.

“There are many challenges and crises under current circumstances. The military junta will continue their rule if the general election is impossible. It is difficult and too early to say something about it because everything depends on whether the general election is possible or not.”

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing cast his early vote in the 2020 general election. (AFP)

Some political analysts are worried that failure to hold the general election may pave the way for a total military seizure of power without time limitations similar to that of the SLORC and the SPDC.

They pointed out that the 2008 constitution will become null and void if the general election cannot be held in 2023 and the public will lose rights of citizens guaranteed by the constitution prohibiting the nationalization of private businesses and demonetization of the currency.

Comrade Aye Lwin of the ABSDF told the CNI, “Elections are indispensable for establishing a democratic system. There must be genuine elections that reflect the will of the people in a country. However, elections held by coup-makers will not bring about a system aspired by the people.”

Election volunteers carrying early ballot boxes. (AP)

On 1st February, 2021, the junta ousted the government of the NLD by accusing it of forming a new government without settling voter’s list disputes and declared a state of emergency.

Then, the NUG and the PDF launched the Spring Revolution to topple the junta and urged the public to boycott the elections to be held by the SAC.

The SAC chairman had promised to hold a general election in August, 2023 and vowed to transfer power to the winning party.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement on 7th November saying the general election planned by the SAC would not be free and fair and perpetuate the crisis and the US rejected the general election.

CNI News

9 Nov 2022

Prices of paddy hit about MMK 1.2 million per 100 baskets during the harvest of monsoon paddy but farmers were not able to enjoy benefits, farmers and their advocacy groups told the CNI.

Although paddy prices have risen this year, farmers are likely to reduce paddy cultivation acreages in summer due to falling yields and other reasons, Chairman U Thein Aung of Peasants’ Union told the CNI.

  Threshing paddy.

He said, “Paddy prices are higher this year but farmers were not able to use fertilizers and pesticides sufficiently during the cultivation and paddy yields dropped by 35 percent per acre. If they could harvest 100 baskets of paddy from an acre of farm in the past, they can harvest only 65 baskets this year. Paddy prices hit about MMK 1.2 million per 100 baskets recently but there may be paddy shortages. Although paddy prices are higher, farmers who cultivate a single crop will have to grow paddy but others will not raise paddy because they need five bags of fertilizer for an acre of farm. They are worried about the costs of inputs, which they cannot get through the BNPL system.”

Paddy yields fell this year because of the higher cost of inputs such as fertilizers, fuel and pesticides.

Moreover, farmers have to pay MMK 90,000 for labourers to reap an acre of paddy and will be able to enjoy benefits if they can harvest 50 baskets of paddy per acre, Farmer U Aye Naing told the CNI.

 Rice paddy.

He said, “MMK 1.2 million per 100 baskets is a good price for farmers but they cannot enjoy much benefit because of higher input and labour costs. If they can harvest only 35 baskets from an acre of farm, they suffer losses. If they can harvest 50 baskets of paddy per acre, they will get 15 baskets of paddy worth MMK 100,000 for them, according to farmers.

Farmers said total acreage of paddy may fall in the upcoming cultivation season and paddy acreage can expand when fertilizer prices fall.

Paddy prices have risen by about MMK 300,000 compared with last year’s paddy prices but yields have dropped and prices are not likely to decrease, according to farming experts.

CNI News

9 Nov 2022

As Thai authorities have ordered a crackdown on foreigners who overstay their visas, Myanmar migrants in Thailand have been urged to renew their expired visas, labour activists told the CNI.

Amid daily arrests of undocumented migrants, the crackdown will lead to more arrests and overstaying Myanmar migrants are required to renew their visas, Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist for Myanmar migrant workers, told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “A large number of Myanmar migrants will be arrested because the largest number of migrants in Thailand are from Myanmar. Whether they hold tourist visas or business visas or work permits, authorities will check whether their documents are still valid. They can renew their visas easily without paying any fines even if they have overstayed for six months. but authorities do not extend their visas for one or two years and will permit them to stay in Thailand until 13th February, 2023. However, migrants whose visas have expired since March, 2021 will not be allowed to renew their visas and such migrants will be arrested and deported to Myanmar. If they are charged, they will not be allowed to enter Thailand for two years. Authorities will blacklist them by stamping in their passports and taking their finger prints for records.

Some Myanmar migrant workers in factories in Thailand renew their visas by themselves but there are some employers who help renew their workers’ visas.

Myanmar migrants in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand.

Near the end of every year, Thai authorities usually check visas of foreigners in accordance with their rules and regulations. Thai authorities treat foreigners as a source of revenue, U Ba Yee of the Migrant Workers’ Right Network told the CNI.

“Thai authorities see foreigners as a source of revenue. When their visas have almost expired, authorities warn them to renew their visas. They are made to pay new deposits. So, the government received a large sum of revenues.”

As the instructions do not refer to any kind of visas exactly, more arrests will be made at quarters resided by migrant workers, according to labour activists.

Ko Thar Gyi said, “Recently, arrests were made in Tak Province on a daily basis but authorities do not make any arrest on the full-moon day because Myanmar migrants went to pagodas and monasteries. I think they will target foreign workers in border areas. There will be more arrests.”

Moreover, the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok announced that it would issue the OWIC cards for Myanmar workers who applied for new passports for jobs as of 7th November.

Labour activists have warned Myanmar migrants of risks as authorities have launched a crackdown on undocumented migrant workers and overstaying foreigners.

CNI News

9 Nov 2022

Sticking to the results of the 2020 general election, in which the National League to Democracy won the majority of seats, is inconducive to negotiations even if the ASEAN and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could hold discussions, Political Analyst U Ye Tun told the CNI.

The NLD issued a statement on 8th November saying it believes that the current crisis can only be resolved by holding discussions between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all envoys for Myanmar including the ASEAN special envoy.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, “After holding the discussions, the situation may change positively depending on the points of view of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the ongoing armed conflict and the election announced by the SAC. Some political parties seem to accept the elections and if the NLD accepts them, the situation may change positively. If the party rejects the elections and sticks to the results of the 2020 elections, it is impossible to negotiate. The military will pursue its own agenda.”

He added that the NLD seemed to have released the statement over the issues in 2021 and ethnic issues must be resolved in the long run.

The NLD called for world leaders to give priority to the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners.

  Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

It is more viable to resolve the political crisis through political dialogues of all stakeholders, Spokesperson Naing Shwe Than of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “Dialogues of all stakeholders are more viable to resolve the current crisis. It is necessary for us to engage in negotiations without any prejudice. If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is released and negotiations are held, it is more viable to resolve the crisis through dialogue.”The military ousted the NLD government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 1st February, 2021 after accusing it of forming a new government without settling voters’ list disputes and detained some NLD leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint.

CNI News

8 Nov 2022

Dialogue between the State Administration Council and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will not be able to resolve the current political crisis, Spokesperson Salai Timmy of the Chin National Defence Force told the CNI.

He pointed out that ethnic leaders and other organizations must also be invited to the dialogue.

Salai Timmy told the CNI, “As ethnic leaders want to build a federal democracy union, they are not likely to accept the situation under the DASSK government. So, the dialogue between the SAC and DASSK will not resolve the current crisis.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Gen Mutu Say Poe. (AFP)

The current political crisis in Myanmar cannot be resolved by the dialogue between only two individuals, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

He said, “It also depends on the attitude of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. However, the current political crisis in Myanmar cannot be resolved by the dialogue between only two individuals. The political issues that have gripped Myanmar since independence involve equality, self-determination and the right to decide their own political destiny of ethnic peoples. I think priority must be given to these issues. So, the dialogue between them will be only a part of the crisis.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to 26 years in prison under the Official Secret Act, the Natural Disaster Management Law, the Election Law and other laws but is still facing five charges of corruption.

Members of the KNDF launching the Spring Revolution to topple the military.

Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI, “Whether the dialogue between the two is possible or not depends on the support of the ASEAN and how the SAC accesses the situation. The SAC seems to be preparing for such dialogue because they have handled the cases of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is different from other cases. They are trying to push the legal proceedings against her to complete so quickly that all charges against her are likely to be decided in the second week of November. After all legal proceedings against her have been completed, the SAC is likely to make a bargain with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi before the 75th Anniversary of the Independence Day. If the latter thinks she is also responsible for stability and peace of the country, they might hold talks. If she was to be released, they could cooperate for the stability and peace of the country.”

Pro-democracy protesters. (Frontier Myanmar)

Talks participated by all federal democracy forces can pave the way for sustainable peace, Spokesperson Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt of the Peace Process Steering Team told the CNI.

He said, “We understand that ethnic political parties as well as ethnic armed organizations have demanded all-inclusive talks to build a federal union. If we cannot invite all important figures, there might be weaknesses. If we are to build a federal union, all federal and democratic forces must find a solution together through dialogues so that we can pave the way that can guarantee sustainable peace.”

Since the military staged a coup on 1st February, 2021, Myanmar has been engulfed by armed conflicts and political protests.

Since then, the country has faced political, economic, social, health and education crises.

CNI News

8 Nov 2022

U Khin Yee, the chairman of the Union Solidarity and Development Party said that the party would protect its members even if his life is in danger.

He made the comment at a ceremony to issue membership cards to 518 new party members held in Tatkon Township on 3rd November, 2022, according to his official Facebook page.

USDP Chairman U Khin Yee meets new party members on 3rd November, 2022.

He said, “We will protect our party as much as possible. Regardless of the dangers we might face, we will stand up for our party members. This is the message I want to give you.”

Then, he promised to develop a new form of public relations that reflects the will of the people in the future of the party.

Since the political crisis that started on 1st February, 2021, over 2,000 USDP members have been killed and party members are under life threats.