CNI News

15 Dec 2022

The call to defeat the military in the current armed conflict will not resolve the crisis in Myanmar, Chairman U Shwe Min of the Lisu National Development Party (Crossbow Party) told the CNI.

He urged all stakeholders to resolve the current political crisis through dialogue.

He told the CNI, "For the future of the country, I would like to urge all to pave the way for dialogue as much as possible. Only then, will it be beneficial for our citizens and the country. The concepts like defeating the military and making no bargain for blood indebtedness will not resolve the crisis. So, I would like to call on every stakeholder to resolve the crisis through dialogue in the interests of the people magnanimously."

A group of young men shouting slogans not to make a bargain for blood indebtedness in Kachin State in May 2021. (CJ)

Resistance forces in Myanmar have called for the utter defeat of the military and making no bargain for blood indebtedness and fought against it since the latter ousted the government of the National League for Democracy on 1st February, 2021.

Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI that the military had been indebted in blood repeatedly and there would be no dialogue for blood indebtedness.

He told the CNI, "As the junta has been indebted in blood by killing the people repeatedly, we cannot make no bargain with it. Younger generations have committed to defeating the junta utterly. No elderly people can prevent them from doing so. Opportunists are denouncing the concept of making no bargain for blood indebtedness to seek their own interests under the junta."

Members of People's Defence Forces.

Currently, fighting has broken out between the military and joint forces of ethnic armed organizations and people's defence forces (PDFs) in Sagaing and Magway regions and Karen, Kayah (Karenni) and Chin states.

The armed clashed have displaced more than 1.4 million people in Myanmar, according to statistics of the UNOCHA Myanmar.

CNI News

15 Dec 2022

Despite changing governments and ages, the Myanmar military will always be the guardian of the country, SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said.

He made the remarks during a meeting with officers, other ranks and families of Myitkyina Station of the Northern Command at the Bala Min Htin Hall on 13th December.

He said that a caretaker government took office in 1958 due to political issues, armed conflicts and differences in the ruling party and the revolutionary council and the Burma Socialist Programme Party took office from 1962 to 1988, when the 1988 Uprising erupted.

As the situation deteriorated during the uprising and the country almost lost sovereignty, functions of the government came to a halt. As a result, the military had to assume State power in September, 1988, he added.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing meets officers, other ranks and families in Myitkyina on 13th December, 2022.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said, "The Tatmadaw has been safeguarding 'Our three main national causes' together with the people in successive eras. The Tatmadaw will always be the guardian of the country under any government and in any age."

He continued, "It can be seen that there were voting irregularities because the ruling party employed dishonest means to win the 2020 multi-party general election. Although the Tatmadaw called for resolution of voters' list issues, the party convened the parliament and the Tatmadaw had to assume State power in accordance with the constitution.

It is true that the miliatry will have to defend the country at any times when the country is under the threats of foreign invasions and terrorist attacks but it doesn't have to engage in politics, a political observer told the CNI.
However, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said the Tatmadaw is consolidating the multi-party democracy path the country has taken and will not allow the country to deviate from the path. He added that the stability of the country is being restored in accordance with the law.

CNI News

15 Dec 2022

No difference will be made by participating in international tourism fairs due to blackouts and security issues at home, Chairman U Zaw Weik of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The government can guarantee nothing for us. As the government cannot guarantee security and electricity, nothing will improve even if we promote tourism in other countries. Tourists who do not know the actual situation on the ground will visit Myanmar. We have beaches, forests and cultural heritage. Tourists are likely to visit such places because they are beautiful. However, there are electricity shortages. And who will guarantee the security of tourists? No one will. Even mini-projects with Russia will not be implemented immediately."

 Foreign tourists.

Some tour companies in Myanmar are preparing to take part in international tourism fairs in 2023, according to the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association.

The association had taken part in international tourism fairs before the outbreak of COVID-19 and it aims to attract foreign tourists by participating in the fairs, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

He told CNI, "Tourists tend to visit Myanmar under packages of tour companies. However, most western countries have refused to sell Myanmar packages because of tensions and travel restrictions issued by the US. If we can respond to their questions in person to their satisfaction, they might arrange package tours to our country in 2023. So, we tried to meet with tour operators and companies in other countries.

A member of the security forces in Yangon.

Six Myanmar tour companies are planning to take part in a tourism fair in February, 2023, according to the association.

Other six companies and one airline are also planning to participate in a tourism fair in Russia in March and to sell package tours.

However, the association does not expect a significant increase in tourist arrivals, which are likely to rise gradually, the association said.

Currently, as hoteliers have to use generators due to blackouts and the number of guests is low, they are suffering losses.

CNI News

15 Dec 2022

The National Solidarity and Peace-making Negotiation Committee said it was not ready to hold talks with the seven EAOs, which earlier proposed negotiations, Spokesperson Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt of the informal negotiation team told the CNI.

The Peace Process Steering Team of the seven EAOs proposed informal talks with the NSPNC in Chiang Mai in Thailand on 12th December, 2022.

Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae meets RCSS Chairman Gen Yawd Serk.

He told the CNI, "We sent a letter to the NSPNC led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae on 7th December and proposed talks with the committee. On 8th December, the committee responded to the proposal on 8th December, saying that it was not ready to hold talks with our negotiation team. We proposed dates and venues to hold the first, second and third rounds of talks. However, the committee said that it was not ready for the negotiations.

The seven EAOs which proposed talks with the committee included the Restoration Council of Shan State, the Arakan Liberation Party, the New Mon State Party, the Lahu Democratic Union, the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army - Peace Council, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army and the Pa-O National Liberation Organization.

Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae meets KNU/KNLA-PC leaders.

The seven EAOs proposed informal talks with the aim of resolving the crisis faced by the people for two years, the spokesperson added.

He said, "The seven EAOs held talks with the military separately in the past. Now, we want to hold talks with it as a team to overcome the political crisis or to ease tensions. We want to create an environment for overcoming the crisis through negotiations. So, we proposed joint talks."

The seven EAOs are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing separately held talks with leaders from the seven EAOs recently. Similarly, the peace negotiation team led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae held talks with them separately.

CNI News

15 Dec 2022

Reopening Jiegao-Ruili border gate including the customs checkpoints and the bridge, which were closed for 2 years due to COVID-19 has raised hopes for reopening of Muse-Jiegao (Manwain) border gate, according to border trade merchants.

As Jiegao-Ruili border gate was reopened on 10th December, it is expected that Manwain border will be reopened during the Chinese New Year, Vice Chairman U Min Thein of Muse Rice Exchange told the CNI.

Trucks transporting goods from Myanmar to China. (STR)

He said, "Jiegao-Ruili border in China including the customs checkpoint and the bridge, which were closed for two years, has been reopened. Since 10th December, people have been allowed to go to and from Ruili and Jiegao. COVID-19 restrictions have been eased. Jiegao and Muse are divided only by a fence. The border gate between Muse and Jiegao is known as Manwain border gate, which can handle about 600 trucks a day. However, the gate has been closed for two years. If the gate is reopened, border trade will accelerate. It is expected that the gate will be reopened soon because Chinese authorities are lifting COVID restrictions. The Chinese New Year festival concludes on 20 January. After the festival, authorities are likely to reopen Muse-Jiegao gate. Border trade will accelerate then."

Due to outbreak of COVID-19 in Muse and China, Chinese authorities have closed the gate since early April in 2021.

Trucks from Myanmar stranded in China. (STR)

When Manwain border gate is reopened, they will earn more money, Ko San Win, a truck driver in Muse, told the CNI.

He said, "Reopening the gate is good not only for us but also for the entire country. Businesses will recover. We can get as much as MMK 2 million a day when the gate is reopened."

There are six border gates between Myanmar and China in Shan State but Kyinsankyawk and Chinshwehaw gates are open at present. Manwain, Sin Phyu, Nandaw and Panhseng (Kyukoke) gates are still closed.

CNI News

13 Dec 2022

Frequent blackouts in the entire country including Yangon Region sometimes last four to five hours in some places and hamper small and medium enterprises which have to rely on electricity.

As generators have to be used when electricity is cut off, production costs have increased for fuel and operations have been delayed, Ko Hla Khaing, the owner of a steel-door workshop in Tamwe Township in Yangon Region, told the CNI.

He said, "When electricity is cut off, we have to use generators. If electricity is supplied regularly, we just need to pay the bill. It costs relaltive low to use electricity supplied by authorities. When we have to use generators, we have to buy fuel oil. Some workshops that do not have generators have to buy ones. If they cannot afford generators, they will have to wait until electricity comes back. So, their operations are delayed and labour costs are higher. As we cannot buy big generators, we had to buy small ones. So, only one worker can use it and we missed deadlines. We have to apologize to our customers. If electricity is supplied regularly, all workers can do their work."

A candle is lit during a blackout.

Small and medium enterprises suffered losses during the outbreak of COVID-19 and have just resumed their operations when long blackouts hamper them, according to entrepreneurs.

He had to raise prices when his generator is used for photocopying, a photocopying shop owner told the CNI.

He said, "We cannot serve our customers when electricity is cut off. So, we have to use generators. We charge them higher prices when we have to use generators."

Electricity is being rationed in townships in Yangon Region. Electricity is cut off for three to four hours a day in Yangon Region but blackouts last as many as eight hours a day in some townships.
Myanmar has faced electricity shortages due to low electricity output from Hydropower dams, maintenance of gas-fired power stations and saving water in dams for power generation in the upcoming summer.

As a result, electricity is being rationed in the entire country, according to a statement of Yangon Electricity Supply Board.

CNI News

13 Dec 2022

Fighting between the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta'ang National Liberation Army and the Myanmar military in Namhsan in Palaung Self-administered Zone in Shan State (North) has displaced more than 2,000 residents, member D D Poe Kyein of the Ta'ang Political Consultative Committee told the CNI.

The clashes erupted from 7th December to the evening of 11th December and residents were forced to flee to Namhsan, he added.

D D Poe Kyein said, "More than 2,000 residents have been displaced. People from Manlone, Konetha and surrounding villages fled to Namshan."

During the clashes, the Myanmar military launched airstrikes while military battalions in Namhsan and Manton fired heavy weapons.

Residents displaced by fighting between the TNLA and the military.

Local residents have difficulties as they are harvesting tea and drying them, a volunteer who has been helping the displaced told the CNI.

He said, "Local people will face difficulties because it is time for them to harvest tea and paddy. They had to flee from their villages by leaving everything they had. We call for both parties to resolve issues through dialogue without bearing any grudges against each other because it is local residents who suffer when clashes break out."

Ta'aung civil society and social assistance organizations are offering help to the displaced.

D D Poe Kyein told the CNI, "Our local residents are in trouble. It is winter and it is very cold. We are worried about the elderly and children. They should be staying indoors in warm clothes but they are fleeing from clashes. Moreover, schools have just reopened after a hiatus of two year due to COVID-19 and the political crisis. Children cannot go school because of the battles. The local economy has been damaged and local residents are wondering what they can do for their living. The displaced are in serious trouble."

The TNLA is a Ta'aung armed organization that is negotiating for a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the military.

CNI News

13 Dec 2022

Malaysia has planned to hire nearly 400,000 foreign workers but has not announced the countries from which it recruits them, Myanmar nationals who intend to work in Malaysia are required to be cautious about swindlers, labour activists for Myanmar workers in Malaysia told the CNI.

The new Malaysian prime minister announced that the immigration department approved more than 370,000 out of over 400,000 applications to hire foreign workers.

Migrant workers in Malaysia.

U Barbu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar workers in Malaysia, told the CNI, "Some agents have posted "Malaysia has resume hiring foreign workers" based on the announcement of the new prime minister. They are trying to lure Myanmar workers. However, they cannot express the details. So, it is important for Myanmar nationals who intend to work in Malaysia not to trust their money in such agents. The new prime minister has not announced the details. He may be talking about 400,000 workers to be hired under G-to-G agreements made by the previous government. In the past, the government agreed to hire 500,000 workers from Bangladesh under a G-to-G agreement. The Malaysian government has such agreements with Bangladesh and Indonesia. We still don't know whehter he was talking about the agreements or new plans. I think he was talking about such agreements. He did not say that the country would hire workers from Myanmar."

Remaining more than 30,000 applications out of over 400,000 applications submitted between 1st January to 4th December would also be processed, according to the statement.

Migrant workers in Malaysia.

The Malaysian government is likely to adopt a policy as to how many workers from which countries will be hired, labour activists for Myanmar workers in Malaysia said.

He wants the Malaysian government to hire some workers from Myanmar, General Secretary U Chit Kaung of the Assistance Association for Myanmar Migrant Workers in Malaysia told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The Malaysian government needs to announce their policy precisely. Only then, will we be able to know exactly. We want the Malaysian government to hire workers from Myanmar.

However, we don't know the relations between the Malaysian and Myanmar governments. This will also matter. We want the Malaysian government to hire Myanmar workers but we don't know the details of their policies because it is a new government."

Malaysian authorities.

During the term of the previous government, the Malaysian government did not hire workers from Myanmar under G-to-G agreements and permitted Myanmar migrants who had been approved after the outbreak of COVID-19 to work in Malaysia.

Malaysian factories are required to seek approval to the Malaysian labour labour ministry and such factories hire only a few workers.

U Barbu Gyi told the CNI, "If your agents are trustworthy, you must ask for the copies of demand letters issued by the Malaysian government and sent them to us. We can ask the factories whether they are true or not. There are a lot of swindlers at present. Myanmar nationals who intend to work in Malaysia are required to do due diligence."

There are 1.4 million foreign workers who have been permitted to work in Malaysia temporarily and 500,000 of them are employed in the manufacturing sectors while 300,000, 100,000 and another 100,000 are working in the construction, services and agriculture sectors respectively, according to the home minister of the Malaysian government.

CNI News

12 Dec 2022

Holding elections alone is not sufficient to resolve the political crisis and free up political space, Chairman U Ko Ko Gyi of the People's Party told the CNI.

Overcoming the political deadlock requires not only holding elections and transfering power to the winning party but also creating tangible political expectations, he added.

A voter showing his little finger. (Sai Aung Mein)

U Ko Ko Gyi told the CNI, "The State Administration Council, which has assumed State power, has the privilege to create a conducive environment. The SAC needs to give a clear message to democratic forces, ethnic armed organizations and the international community that it is not armed struggles but political means that will bring about tangible changes. At the moment, political space is closed and there is almost nothing political parties can do because restrictions, controls and limits are imposed. Therefore, holding elections and transferring power to the winning pary is not enough to resolve the political crisis and to free up political space. We have been calling for tangible political expectations. Otherwise, there is no way out of the political deadlock and there will be more challenges and crises at home and abroad.”

The SAC chairman promised to hold elections in August, 2023 and transfer power to the winning party.

A Kayan woman after casting her vote. (STR-GETTY IMAGES)

Although elections to be held by the SAC are one of the political exits, it will not resolve all issues, Chairman U Shwe Min of the Lisu National Development Party ( crossbow party) told the CNI.

He said, "Elections may be an exit to some extent but political means are too weak to resolve all issues. On the other hand, elections play an important role in democracies. It is important that the elections are inclusive. We view that dialogue is important for elections and the post election period."

The Chin State Joint Defence Committee has urged the public not to cooperate with elections held by the SAC while the Karenni National Progressive Party announced that it would not permit all political parties in Karenni State to contest the election.