CNI News

28 Oct 2022

Blacklisting Myanmar by the Financial Action Task Force may aggravate the exploitation of Myanmar migrant workers in neighbouring countries, labour activists for Myanmar workers in neighbouring countries told the CNI.

The number of illegal Myanmar migrant workers who sneaked into Thailand and Malaysia has increased since the country was blacklisted and is likely to rise further in the future, according to the labour activists.

Malaysia is holding elections soon and the fate of documented and undocumented Myanmar migrant workers depends on the government change, Labour Activist U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrant workers in Malaysia, told the CNI.

Myanmar workers deported to Myanmar.

He said, “There is a large number of Myanmar migrants including those who have been overstaying and new arrivals. They ask for my help almost every day. So, the number of illegal migrants is likely to rise further. The parliament has been dissolved for the elections. A new government will be formed after the elections. We will have to wait and see the policies of the new government. It may have good relations or bad relations with the junta in Myanmar. I haven’t heard anything about negotiations between them to hire workers from Myanmar. If the new government holds negotiations with the junta to hire Myanmar workers, the situation is likely to change.”

He added that the new government has bad relations with the junta, the conditions of migrant workers can be negatively affected.

Blacklisting Myanmar by the FATF affects not only the people in Myanmar but also Myanmar migrant workers in neighbouring countries, labour activists for Myanmar migrant workers in other countries told the CNI.

Thai employers have told agents to bring Myanmar migrant workers through illegal means to meet their labour demand and the number of illegal workers could rise in Thailand after Myanmar was blacklisted, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi in Thailand told the CNI.

A fishery shop in Thailand.

As a result, more illegal migrant workers will be arrested, he added.

He said, “There are exploitation of wages of workers and sacking without any reasons. Neither ours nor other organizations can take action against employers and their agents according to law because our workers are illegal ones. If we file cases against them, our workers will also be arrested. Blacklisting Myanmar could force more Myanmar workers to sneak into neighbouring countries. It is almost sure that more Myanmar workers will continue to sneak into Thailand. When they arrive in Thailand, they could be arrested or trafficked and blackmailed by agents. We will have to face such situations.”

Due to the depreciation of Kyat, wages of Myanmar workers in other countries seem to be large sums of money when the wages are exchanged into the local currency. However, migrant workers have to remit more money to their families in Myanmar as commodity prices are skyrocketing. Those who usually remit MMK 500,000 are having to transfer MMK 800,000 to their families at present.

Myanmar organizations in other countries should help Myanmar workers whether they are documented or undocumented as much as possible, according to labour activists.

CNI News

28 Oct 2022

Forcing internally displaced persons in Buthidaung in Rakhine State to return home under deteriorating security conditions will put their lives into danger, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

He added that some of the IDPs had no house to live in while armed clashes could resume at any time in Rakhine State.

He told the CNI, “There are no houses left in some villages because all of them were destroyed during armed conflicts. Authorities are forcing them to return home without any assistance to rebuild their houses and to restart their livelihoods. And villages are not safe. Armed conflicts can escalate again in Rakhine State. So, forcing them to return home amounts to putting their lives into danger. There is no conducive environment for them to return home.”

The entrance to Buthidaung. (Cape Diamond)

Authorities told in-charges of IDP camps to return home by 31st October.

The CNI contacted Rakhine State Attorney General U Hla Thein, a spokesperson for Rakhine State Administration Council, for comments but he did not answer the phone.

Authorities have not instructed IDPs in Maruk-U to return home and it is also impossible for them to do so under the current circumstances, In-charge U Nyi Pu of Sinbawgaing IDP camp told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “We haven’t received any instructions. It is impossible to return home at present because tensions have escalated. IDPs are worried about returning home.”

 A road junction in Rakhine State.

IDPs have lost their cattle for farming and forcing them to return home reveals lack of humanitarian considerations.

He said, “If there is fighting, IDPs cannot return home. It is important that there is no fighting in their areas. And there is unexploded ammunition left during armed clashes in their areas. It is very dangerous for them. Moreover, they do not have cattle and farming implements for their livelihoods. In the past, they carried out farming with their cattle. They have nothing. Forcing them to return home without any assistance reveals lack of humanitarian considerations over the people.”

Armed clashes between the military and the Arakan Army in August and September, 2022 displaced 16,000 people and the number of IDPs in Rakhine State has increased to 90,000, according to a statement released on 19 October by the UNOCHA.

CNI News

27 Oct 2022

Bananas will be allowed to transport not on trailer trucks but in containers through Kanpaiti Border Gate for China-Myanmar border trade in the upcoming banana harvesting season, according to merchants and freight transportation services in Kachin State.

Therefore, truck owners are making preparations to carry containers on their trucks, U Win Aung, a truck owner and banana merchant from Kanpaiti border trade camp, told the CNI.

He said, “We will have to use containers this year. Truck owners are taking down car bodies and making holes for locks. It is better for us because this prevents damage for our trucks. We will just leave the containers at the border trading camp. The arrangement is only for bananas. I think other fruits like watermelon will have to be transported in baskets.”

The system will be applied for exports of bananas and other export items like corn, rice and water melons will be exported as usual. About 700 trucks have been repaired to carry containers and there are only about 200 trailer trucks left.

 A truck under inspection for COVID-19 restriction at a Chinese border gate.

Banana merchants and businessmen have promised to hire a container truck at least five times a month, truck driver Ko Shan Gyi told the CNI.

He said, “We will have to be cautious about electricity lines when we enter or go out of the town. They promised us to hire a truck five times a month and agreed to pay transportation charges for five trips even if they fail to hire a truck five times a month.”

The arrangement was proposed during a negotiation between the Kachin State Freight Transportation Services Association and Chinese International Chamber of Commerce to facilitate the commodity flow and prevention of COVID-19.

Normally, truck drivers can travel to the border gate from five to eight times but they had to content themselves with only two trips to the border gate due to closures and restrictions imposed for prevention of COVID-19 last year.

It costs MMK 1.2 to 1.5 million to make repairs to carry containers on a truck.

CNI News

27 Oct 2022

The government should help develop a tour destination at a village, where most residents work as sculptors, in Dabain in Hlegu Township, Yangon Region and offer necessary assistance, the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

Plans are underway to develop a tour destination for domestic and foreign tourists at the sculpture industry village, which has great potential for an attraction, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the MTEA told the CNI.

 Carving a Buddha image in the Dabain sculpture industry workshop.

He told the CNI, “For foreigners, it is cheaper to buy sculptures in Myanmar and craftsmanship is better. So, many people buy and collect sculptures. If tour destination is developed in the village, it will be a precious destination in Yangon in the upcoming tour season. Foreigners are interested in Myanmar sculptures. Unlike buying sculptures at shops, they can see for themselves carving methods of Myanmar. It is difficult to study carving in workshops in other countries. Therefore, the village has great potential for a tour destination. If food and accommodation can be arranged for foreigners, they may visit the village on day-return trips.”

Only a few people know about the village and visitors rarely come to the village. Those who visited the village learnt about it from tour guides.

Therefore, it will be beneficial for the tourism industry if measures for developing a tour destination at the village are taken systematically, he added.

However, some sculptors from the village have moved to other towns and the number of sculptors at the village has decreased, Ma Ohmar Lwin, a sculptor who moved to Nay Pyi Taw from the village, told the CNI.

  An archway to Hlegu.

She said, “In the past, we could carve sculptures in our village. Now, wood has become rare in the village. So, we moved to other regions. There are people like us. About 75 percent of sculptors in the village have moved to other regions, where wood is available. They will return when wood is available at the village. We want to work in our own village without moving to other places when the market has recovered.”

The plan has been submitted to the regional government, the directorate of hotels and tourism, the department of archaeology and national museum and the department of small industries.

Although some villagers engage in other livelihoods, the majority of residents in the village work as sculptors.

CNI News

27 Oct 2022

With the movement to topple the military, there are differing views on the viability of the formation of a federal army.

The National Unity Government is working towards a federal army but it is not clear how much success has been achieved so far, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

He said, “The NUG is working under the slogan of forming a federal army but I don’t know how much success has been achieved so far. I generally understand that anti-junta forces are cooperating with one another. I think they have yet to reach the level of a federal army. It might be a viable option when their draft federal constitution has been adopted. Despite their claims, they have yet to achieve success.”

   An EAO Conference in Maijaryan in progress in July, 2016.

Member of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and NUG Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung told Myanmar Now on 21st March, 2021 that the CRPH had been holding negotiations with all ethnic armed organization to build a federal union and to form a federal army and about 80 percent of the negotiations had been completed.

It is impossible to form a federal army without reforming security policies, EAO Leader Col Khun Okkar told the CNI.

He said, “It is just a daydream. How will the security system of the country be reformed. In reforming the security system, security policy must also be restructured. Only then, will it be possible to form a federal army. A federal army cannot be built without reforming security policies. Security policies can be restructured when agreements have been reached in negotiations.”

The formation of the FUA in 2011.

To fight against the military, a federal union army (UFA) was once formed with 12 EAOs including the KNU, the KIA, the SSPP, the KNPP, the CNF in 2011 but it was not viable.

EAOs will converge into a united front during the Spring Revolution, China-Myanmar affairs analyst Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw told the CNI.

She said, “Working for a united front rather than a federal army will make them closer to each other. For example, some groups cooperate with the KIA while others join hands with the KNU based on their geographical proximity and launch joint operations. This may pave way for the future federal army. It is impossible to form a federal army overnight.”

Currently, clashes have erupted between the military and joint forces of the PDFs and EAOs including the KNU, the KIA, the CNF and the KNPP in Karen State, Kayah (Karenni) State, Chin State, Magway Region and Sagaing Region.

CNI News

26 Oct 2022

Although the tourism season has resumed, Myanmar can expect foreign tourists in 2023 due to instabilities in some regions in the country, according to tour entrepreneurs.

Foreign tourists were preparing to visit Myanmar but the arrivals have dropped due to shootout at the passenger station at the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda on 12th October and as a result, the country can expect foreign tourists in the 2023 four season, Managing Director U Thet Lwin Toe of the Myanmar Voyages International Tourism told the CNI.

Tourists in Bagan.

He said, “I think we will have to conclude this tour season with domestic tourists. Thais are preparing to visit the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda in October and November but they cancelled their trips due to shootout at the pagoda. I can’t even think of making pilgrimages to Sagaing Region at the moment. It is also the case with Mrauk-U, and Kayah State. Foreign tourists may want to visits the areas but we have to take everything into account. There are risks. When stability has been restored in 2023, it may be possible for them to visit such areas.”

About 80,000 foreign tourists visited Myanmar in 2022, according to SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing but the arrivals amounted to the number of visitors arrived in one month when the country was stable, according to tour entrepreneurs.

Moreover, foreign tourists have not showed up even at Bagan, one of the most popular destinations for them, this year and hotels and tour operators in the region have to rely on domestic tourism, Chairman U Zaw Wate of Bagan Zone Myanmar Hoteliers Association told the CNI.

The Therapa Gate in Bagan.

He told the CNI, “It is difficult to expect foreign tourists. Domestic tourism visited Bagan. We have arranged everything for foreign tourists because they usually visit the town in October, November and December. However, we have to be content with domestic tourists, who will visit the town during Tazaungdaing holiday and new year holiday. Only a few visitors in other period.”

Myanmar has offered visa exemption for Russia and eight ASEAN countries and it is expected that they will visit Myanmar in 2023. Some tour companies are seeking information to visit aboard cruise liners, according to tour entrepreneurs.

CNI News

26 Oct 2022

The KNU congress seemed to be delayed by internal rivalries in the central committee, Political Analyst U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

When the balance tips in favour of a faction, the congress could be held, he added.

He said, “In my opinion, there are factions in the central committee and there are differences between the central committee and troops on the ground. Such issues at the grassroots level arise frequently. In the central committee, Mutu Say Poe faction and Naw Zipporah Sein faction are competing while brigades are doing what they want in areas under their control. Nerdah Mya, who was expelled from the central committee, emerged as a leader of a new faction during recent operations in cooperation with some KNLA troops. It is not surprising; the congress has been delayed under such circumstances. When the balance tips in favour of a faction, they will be able to hold the congress, I think.”

KNU troops. (KNU)

The 17th Congress of the KNU has been delayed repeatedly and was scheduled for 24th October.

The congress will be valid only when 75 percent of delegates attend it and it has been delayed because enough delegates fail to appear at it, according to sources close to the KNU.

The CNI contacted the officials of the KNU repeatedly but no one answered the phone.

The congress will elect new KNU leaders and decide whether to follow the NCA or to join with revolutionary forces recently formed after the coup.

The congress has been delayed for two years, Chairman Mahn Aung Pyi Soe of the Karen National Democratic Party told the CNI.

Weapons and ammunition seized by the KNU after a clash with the military. (KNU)

He said, “The congress has been delayed for two years. It is difficult for us to speculate. We don’t know what they will decide. Roughly speaking, they will elect the new EC. We don’t know what the standpoints of the new EC members are. It is too early to say something with certainty.”

The congress must be held every four years under the constitution of the KNU but it has been delayed by COVID-19 and the political crisis caused by the coup.

The KNU is a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

On the other hand, the KNU is protecting the forces of the Spring Revolution from humanitarian grounds and fighting the military in cooperation with them.

CNI News

26 Oct 2022

Although the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee has called on neighbouring countries of Myanmar for an end to forced repatriation of Myanmar nationals, the calls have fallen on deaf ears, labour activists told the CNI.

Searches for and arrests of Myanmar nationals have been intensified in Thailand and Malaysia, where large numbers of Myanmar nationals are working or taking shelter. Some of detained Myanmar nationals were those who had applied for refugee cards from the UNHCR and were waiting to go to a third country, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said, “As evidence for application for refugee cards and preparations for going to a third country, the UNHCR issued an A-4 paper stating a few links for them. However, those receipts are not enough. We cannot take them out by bribing. Officials from the UNHCR must come and call on authorities for their release. Officials from the UNHCR in Thailand rarely take such measures. This indicates that the UN cannot help people who took part in the civil disobedience movement and people who are waiting to go to a third country. We cannot blame the host country because authorities are required to detain all undocumented migrants according to their applicable laws. The UNHCR should question itself whether the A-4 paper they issued for refugees is really effective.”

 Repatriated Myanmar nationals at a Malaysian airport.

The UNHCR called on neighbouring countries of Myanmar not to repatriate Myanmar nationals in their countries.

However, a large number of Myanmar migrants are being detained in camps and detention facilities. Among them were migrants who had already received or applied for refugee status. However, UN officials in Thailand rarely visit detention facilities for their release and many of them face forced repatriation, Ko Kyan Kyaung, an activist for Myanmar refugees in Malaysia, told the CNI.

He said, “The UNHCR does not have much leverage in Malaysia to seek help from lawyers and courts. The UN office has rarely offered assistance for people in camps and detention facilities. It does not have a mandate to help people in camps and the Malaysian government is mainly responsible for them. So, authorities repatriate in accordance with the Malaysian immigration law because they cannot hold them in camps for a long time. The government will continue to repatriate them because UNHCR officials rarely visit the camps.”

 Myanmar nationals being repatriated.

The UNHCR should take effective measures on the ground rather than issuing statements, Executive Director U Htoo Chit of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He said, “The UNHCR should take effective measures rather than issuing statements and should regularly visit Thai immigration detention facilities. Repatriating illegal workers causes no problem. If migrants who took part in the civil disobedience movement were repatriated, their lives would be in danger. The UNHCR has given emergency phone numbers. However, no one answered the phones. If the UNHCR holds negotiations with Thai authorities, they are likely to take the requests seriously. So, I think the UNHCR should hold negotiations with Thai authorities properly.”

Currently, crackdowns on illegal Myanmar migrants have been intensified and they are arrested on a daily basis in neighbouring Thailand and Malaysia.

Therefore, undocumented Myanmar nationals should be aware of the situation at worksites as well as outside workplaces.

As searches for and arrests of illegal migrants, those who intend to sneak into the neighbouring countries should not come at the moment, activists urged.

CNI News

25 Oct 2022

The reshuffling of the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of China is unlikely to have an impact on Myanmar, Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Chinese-Myanmar affairs analyst, told the CNI.

The party congress of the CPD concluded on 22nd October 2022 and party officials were reshuffled during the congress and Xi Jinping was elected for the third five-year term in office.

Although some leaders of the party were reshuffled during the congress, this will have impacts on Myanmar, Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw told the CNI.

   Former seven members of the polit bureau standing committee.

She told the CNI, “I don’t think the reshuffle will have significant impacts on Myanmar because the policies of the party do not change. Another factor is that some party leaders were reshuffled, the government has not been reformed. The new government will be formed in March next year. So, there will be no significant changes. The congress concluded yesterday. In his congress address, Xi Jinping did not say any significant changes in international relations. He said as usual like the development of China, which will share its prosperity with the world. Nothing is new. He talked about peace, development and democracy.”

China will work in its interest and Myanmar will have to continue to fight for peace and to uproot military dictatorship that hinders economic development, she added.

As the CPC congress decided its policies for the party and the country, this will not have impacts on Myanmar, U Than Soe Naing, a political analyst, told the CNI.

     Members of the NUG and the PDF fighting against the military.

He told the CNI, “There will be no changes. Whoever is in office in Myanmar, they will try to exert influence on it. I haven’t seen any group in Myanmar that can change this.”

Three brotherhood alliances including the ULA/AA, the PSLF/TNLA and the MNDAA sent congratulations for the success of the congress of the CPC.

The congress elected Xi Jinping for the next five-year term as the general secretary and 24 members of the Polit Bureau including seven standing members by excluding Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang and Wang Hunning and Han Zheng.

As China can exert influence on crisis- conflict-ridden Myanmar, many are closely watching whether the reshuffled polit bureau will adopt a new approach on Myanmar.