CNI News

12 Dec 2022

SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing has called for effective action against corruption, which undermines the morals and morale of the people and is dangerous for the country.

The chairman made the remarks at the ceremony marking the International Anti-corruption Day on 9th December, 2022. The chairman said that the SAC had been exerting efforts for stability of the country, unity of all national races and development of social economic life and building a federal union based on democracy and federal system in accordance with the political, economic and social objectives adopted during the term in which the SAC has assumed the State power in accordance witht the 2008 constitution.

He added that in doing so, it was of utmost importance to reduce corruption that can undermine the development and stability of the country in all aspects.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the ceremony to mark International Anti-corruption Day.

The chairman continued to say that as corruption can damage the morale and morals of the people and is dangerous for the country, the Anti-corruption Law was enacted on 7th August, 2013 and effective prevention and action has been taken against it. To prevent and take action against corruption, which takes various forms from time to time, the law had been amended four times. He also urged all to participate in anti-corruption efforts as a national duty.

During the term of the SAC, former Yangon region chief minister U Hla Soe, Yangon region former commerce minister U Aung Than Oo and former secretary of the Yangon Region Government U Soe Soe were sentenced to long prison terms on 8th December, 2022 after being charged with corruption.
Myanmar signed the United Nation Anti-corruption Convention in 2005 and became the 165th member of the convention.

Since 2017, Myanmar has held annual International Anti-Corruption Day ceremonies on 9th December.

CNI News

12 Dec 2022

Offering travel insurance exemptions to tourists who have purchased international insurance should not be limited to Russian nationals, tour entrepreneurs and hoteliers told the CNI.

A Russia-based tour company called on the union minister for Hotels and Tourism to offer insurance exemption to Russian tourists who have already purchased international travel insurance policies.
The union minister promised to hold negotiations with relevant government agencies for the issue.

Chairman U Zaw Weik of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI, "Such kinds of news cannot be covered up. If authorities intend to invite more tourists, they will have to ease restrictions. However, they must ease restrictions for all tourists because the tour industry is working worldwide. The issue depends on the decision of the minister but it is difficult to change the regulation. They should seek our opinions."

Foreign tourists.

Travel insurance is a policy that protects tourists from injuries and deaths during their domestic or foreign trips.

Most foreign tourists have bought international travel insurance policies but they have to buy Myanmar travel insurance policies when they visit the country.

There are criticisms that Myanmar is taking advantage of the regulation to earn foreign exchange, according to tour operators.

Tour entrepreneurs said that the restriction should be eased for every country which has been offered visa exemptions.

Foreign tourists.

A tour entrepreneur said, "Whether tourists from countries which have been offered visa exemption should buy insurance policies is a question because insurance is compulsory when tourists apply for visas. In Thailand, tourists from visa-free countries are required to buy insurance again. It is difficult to say exactly how effective the Myanmar insurance is. In the past, travel insurance was mandatory for tourists, who had to pay a premium of MMK 5 million, which is equal to US$ 1,500 or 2,000 today and will not cover medical charges. Due to such issues, foreign tourists purchase travel insurance policies that can cover their medical charges. It was announced that the country will reopen tourism to the world on World Tourism Day. It is necessary to prove the words with deeds. If authorities believe that tourism can help recover the economy and intend to promote tourism, they should ease restrictions. It is certain that some progress will be achieved."

Premiums for travel insurance of foreign tourists vary depending on how long they stay and they are required to buy one unit (MMK 500,000) to 20 units (MMK 20 million), according to a statement of Myanmar Insurance.

During the period from 6th April to the end of October, Myanmar sold travel insurance policies to about 60,000 foreign tourists, earning US$ 3.8 million, according to Myanmar Insurance.

CNI News

10 Dec 2022

The system requiring workers to sign contracts in their states and regions may increase the number of agents and swindlers, overseas employment agencies and labour activists in Thailand told the CNI.

Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist for Myanmar workers in Thailand, told the CNI, "The system cannot be implemented. Even if it is possible for workers to sign contracts in their states and regions, overseas employment agencies cannot cannot go to states and regions. They are encouraging human trafficking. The government and the Department of Labour cannot control human trafficking. In the past, contracts were signed in Yangon and Hpa-an. It was better for workers. Human trafficking will increase. The new system does not bring benefits for the government. It is questionable."

Overseas employment agencies cannot go to every state and region to sign contracts, according to some overseas employment agencies.

The skill training school of the Department of Labour.

People who intend to work in Thailand under the MOU are required to be cautious about agents, Managing Director Daw Myat Hayman Lin of Pwint Phyu Aung Agency told the CNI.

She said, "Workers are required to be clever. First, they must come to agency offices and sign contracts. It is safe for them. They must contact us in person without using agents. We will discuss the types of jobs and sign contracts when agreements have been reach. They must contact us directly. Otherwise, the number of swindlers will increase."

In the past, work contracts were signed in interview offices and private training classes. The Department of Labour has adopted a system requiring workers to sign contracts in states and regions.
Although the CNI contacted the department, it did not answer the phone.

It is difficult for agencies to go to states and regions and can go to states and regions where there is a large number of workers, she added.

Migrant workers.

She said, "We need to interview and recruit them. So, we will have to go to states and regions around us like Bago, Ayeyarwady and Magway, where a large number of people want to work in Thailand under the MOU. We will go to them and sign contracts. We will have to choose only two or three regions or states. When we sign contracts in states and regions, we need a director, a computer clerk and one or two staff. So, we need at least four or five people. However, we haven't signed any contract under the new system."

The Department of Labour has allowed workers in Chin state to sign contracts in Rakhine State and Magway Region, according to the statement.

Workers are also required to submit evidence that they actually live in states and regions where they sign contracts to the supervisory boards for signing contracts.

CNI News

10 Dec 2022

The safety of civilians can be guaranteed only after the current political crisis has been resolved, Chairman U Ko Ko Gyi of the People's Party told the CNI.

As the rule of law has collapsed, crimes have rampant and action cannot be taken against crimes like thefts, robberies and murders, he added.

He said, "The main cause is the political crisis. Since the SAC seized power on 1st February, 2022, protests and armed resistance have erupted. Civilians were killed and properties were torched. About 80 monks have been killed and more than 7,000 civilains were murdered. We have never seen such destruction in our history. It is important to resolve the political issues through political means."

As the political crisis has led to armed resistance in the entire country, arm and drug smuggling is rampant in Myanmar.

 Drugs worth MMK 4 billion seized in Kyaikto in Mon State.

Then, civilians have faced security threats.

Some armed organizations have been involved in drug trafficking, Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

He said, "Khin Nyunt and Than Shwe ruled the country for 25 years by permitting drug trafficking, which dropped a little when Thein Sein took office. During the term of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, militia continued to smuggle drugs. The AA is involved in drug trafficking to establish their army."

 Troops of the KNLA. (GETTY IMAGES)

The AA spokesperson was not available for comments for the issue.

Drugs pose a threat to the morals of youths and cause a problem for them, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Strategic Studies told the CNI.He said, "There are security rules and regulations, enforcement is weak. People fail to abide by law while law enforcement is corrupted. There are loopholes. Drugs especially pose a serious threat to national security. In the past, heroin was a major drug problem. Now, there are ICE and yaba. They are chemical drugs and can be mass produced in a small room by using pill press machines. Drugs pose a threat to the morals of youths and their health. It is a major threat to new generations."

Members of the PDF of the Spring Revolution.

Since the military ousted the civilian government on 1st February, 2021, arm and drug trafficking has been rampant in Myanmar and the rule of law has been undermined. Thefts, robberies and murders have increased and the public security has come under threats.

The public has called on authorities to check arm and drug trafficking in the country.

CNI News

10 Dec 2022

Although merchants are ready to export commodities to Bangladesh, there is a shortage of trucks, according to border traders.

After a ceasefire deal has been reached between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, trade routes have been reopened.

As a result, the border trade has resumed but trucks, which were stuck in Rakhine State, have gone back to Yangon and there is a shortage of trucks, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.

Security forces searching trucks heading to Rakhine State. (CJ)

He said, "The border trade has resumed because roads have been reopened this week. However, trucks that had been stuck in Rakhine State have gone back to Yangon. There is a shortage of trucks. It will take about a week to return to normal. There is a large number of commodities to be transported from Yangon to Sittwe. We will have to wait a certain time."

As rental fees for cold storage trucks have risen, profits for exporters of fishery products have dwindled, U Than Naing, a merchant, told the CNI.

Security forces in Rakhine State.

He said, "Rental fees for cold storage trucks have risen because of high fuel prices and delays. Rental fees for cold storage trucks from Yangon to Maungdaw have risen from MMK 2.8 million previously to 3 million at present. Our profits have dwindled.

When trade routes were closed, trade volumes dropped to only five percent. Merchants are still trying to revitalize trading activities.

In 2021-2022 fiscal year, Maungtaw border trade hit US$ 43 million but commodities worth only about US$ 23 million have been exported from Maungdaw until October, according to RSCCI.

CNI News

9 Dec 2022

What the best means to resolve the current political crisis in Myanmar is hotly debated among political forces in the country.

As some political forces think that the military would defeat the resistance forces while others think that dialogue with the military is the best way to resolve the crisis, different groups of different opinions have led to contested debates.

There is no way to resolve the current armed conflicts, Chairman Khun Myint Tun of the Pa-O National Federal Council told the CNI.

He said, "At present, the potential for dialogue and negotiations is very weak. As the military is suppressing other groups relying on its relatively modern weapons, I don't see any potential for the time being.

A member of the security forces of Myanmar. (STR-GETTY IMAGES)

After the military staged a coup on 1st February, 2021, protests and armed conflicts have erupted in Myanmar, followed by crises in the economic, health, education and social sectors. At the same time, security of civilians has been threatened by a massive flow of weapons and narcotic drugs.

However, peace will prevail in the country as the military and some EAOs have engaged in peace talks, Chairman Sai Aik Paung of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party told the CNI.

He said, "Let alone eliminating armed groups, the military has reached a ceasefire deal with the AA and other deals are underway with the KNU. I don't want to identify the faction. The situation has improved. The country will be peaceful later."

 A protestor demanding democracy in the Spring Revolution. (GETTY IMAGES)

The current political crisis has been created by the military, which has interfered in politics, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

He said, "There are oppositions in democratic politics and they will have to abide by the decision of the people to resolve issues. The people will choose the party they like. Political parties do not do anything at will. Ethnic groups will also call for federal rights. They will have to negotiate. However, the military is intervening in the process. The military has stood in the way to prevent any group from reaching them from any deal in accordance with the 2008 constitution drafted by themselves. They have reserved 25 percent of the seats in the parliament. If the military did not intervene in politics, politicians will be able to resolve the issues within a certain time during a certain period through negotiations."

Pro-democracy demonstration. (STR- GETTY IMAGES)

Currently, armed conflicts have erupted in Sagaing and Magway regions and Chin, Karen and Kayah states while tens of thousands of houses and buildings of the public have been displaced.

As a result, debates and negotiations were held by local political forces to overcome the crisis.

The military announced that it would hold a general election in 2023 and transfer power to the winning party.

On the other hand, anti-coup resistance force said the general election is the only exit for the military and urged the people to eliminate it.

However, some democratic forces and the international community still uphold the dialogue of all stakeholders.

CNI News

9 Dec 2022

Although roads and waterways have been reopened after a ceasefire deal was reached between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, residents in Rakhine State are still running out of medical supplies as truck drivers and freight services have refused to transport them, according to medicine merchants in Rakhine State.

The Rakhine State Administration Council has not officially announced that medical supplies have been permitted to transport to Rakhine State and as a result, freight services are still refusing to carry medical supplies to Rakhine State, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.

He told CNI, "Freight services have refused to carry medical supplies. They said they would transport medical supplies if we provided permits. Otherwise, they would not carry medical supplies because authorities have not informed them of the permission to do so. They were worried that medical supplies might be seized on the way. So, they have not handled medical supplies to be transported to Rakhine State. Therefore, Rakhine residents are still running out of medical supplies.

After fighting resumed between the military and the AA, the Rakhine State Administration Council prohibited transporting medical supplies to Rakhine and between townships in the state, according to medicine companies.

Due to shortages of medical supplies in Rakhine State, medicine traders and companies called on the Rakhine State Administration Council for transportation of medicines to Rakhine State through the RSCCI but authorities have not responded to the request.

As officials have not officially announced restrictions on medical supplies have been lifted, truck drivers have refused to carry them without the approval of the health department, Ko Maung Maung Tun, a truck driver plying between Muangtaw and Taungpyo Letwe, told the CNI.

He said, "There are many restrictions on transportation of medical supplies. So, no truck driver dares to transport medical supplies. We can transport medicines in Rakhine State, if they provide approvals of the health department.
As there are shortages of medical supplies in Rakhine State, medicine prices in the state have risen three times and there are many puerpera and infants who have not been vaccinated against diseases.

CNI News

9 Dec 2022

Authorities in Thailand have rounded up foreigners who are overstaying their visas in an operation, labour activists based in Thailand told the CNI.

Unlike previous operations, authorities have been arresting illegal migrants by setting up checkpoints, using smart patrol vehicles and applying face scanning technologies.

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.

Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, told the CNI, "Many Myanmar migrants have been arrested recently. They arrested migrants in places where foreigners are likely to be staying such as apartments, condominiums and labour quarters and security has been tightened at border gates. Overstaying foreigners who could not go back to relevant visa sections were blacklisted. They will be deported to their countries. Those who tried to sneak into Thailand were also arrested."

As employers will also be punished if their workers are found to be illegal or overstaying, they are also trying to get residence permits for their workers through agents.

Although authorities in Thailand issued residence permits for illegal migrants in October and the program has ended at present, the permits are still available through agents, according to labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand.

People in Thailand. (PBS)

However, the application of residence permits now is more expensive than it was previously, Executive Director U Htoo Chit of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He said, "It costs between Baht 16,000 and 20,000 to get a residence permit. In the past, it cost only about Baht 12,000 to do so. Authorities collect between Baht 4,000 and 5,000. As the valid period for application of residence permits have expired, authorities have to launch a special program to issue residence permits for them. So, they have to pay as much as Baht 20,000 for a residence permit. Employers never pay the fees. Workers have to pay for them by themselves. The best way is to work officially in Thailand. Workers who have not received residence permits should be careful when they go out. If they go to festivals and events, it is very dangerous for them. If they stay at their worksites, it is safe for them. I would like to urge workers to get official residence permits."

Thai authorities.

There are many Myanmar migrant workers who do not have residence permits because they could not afford the fees.

Labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand have urged them to work officially in Thailand as authorities are not likely to ease their operations and it is difficult to predict new policies about illegal migrants.

CNI News

8 Dec 2022

Onion yields have dropped in Myittha and Pakokku townships and Yaw area, major onion cultivation hubs, as farmers had not been able to use sufficient fertilizer during the cultivation season, and onion prices have risen, according to merchants.

Although onion prices stand at MMK 3,000 per viss in warehouses in Pakokku, they hit MMK 5,000 in Yangon and Mandalay regions.

The skyrocketed prices of onions must be attributed to excessively low yields, Merchant U Hla Thaung of the Pakokku Merchants and Brokers Association told the CNI.

A buyer at an onion shop. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, "Onion yields dropped because farmers had not been able to use sufficient fertilizer during the cultivation season. Some farmers who sold onions to us could harvest only about 800 visses of onions per acre. Normally, they can harvest as many as 3,000 viss of onions per acre. The yields were very low and the prices have skyrocketed."

The price of onions harvested in Myittha is sold at abut MMK 4,000 per viss in warehouses at Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange in Yangon Region.

As a result, onion pirces have risen to MMK 5,000 per viss in the retail market due to transportation charges, according to onion warehouses.

Onion prices are likely to hover around current prices until January, when summer onions are harvested, U Soe Win from Manaw Thu Kha Brokerage in Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange told the CNI. He added that onion prices are likely to fall to around MMK 1,000 per viss in March.

An onion farmer. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, "Onion prices will remain at this level until January and new onions will be harvested in March. When summer onions are harvested, the prices will fall to about MMK 900 per viss. Last year, the old summer onions had dropped to MMK 300 and 400 per viss when monsoon onions were harvested in December. So, their prices stood at about MMK 600. Yields and trading were normal last year and prices did not rise. This year, yields and cultivation acreage dropped this year."

Normally, prices drop when new onions are harvested but this did not happen this year due to decreased cultivation acreage, low yields and transportation problems.