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CNI News
21 June 2024
Ko San Oo, vice chairman of the Shanni Literature and Culture Committee from Banmauk township, upper Sagaing Region was arrested by the KIA/PDF joint forces and he hasn't been released up to now reportedly.
He was arrested while he was constructing a partaking meal building in the monastery of Lay Thee Village on 7th June, said locals.
The KIA/PDF joint forces should not arrest him for no reason and ethnic groups should discuss the problems between them, a person close to Ko San Oo, told CNI News.
" I don't want arresting like this for no reason. T want them to solve the problem decently. We are all ethnic brothers. There might be disagreements. But like arresting a thief or a robber should not conducted. We can discuss between ethnic brothers." he said.
While seeing the PDF within Banmauk Township
In charge of southern part of Banmauk Township Shanni Literature and Culture Committee and vice chairman of the Shanni Youth Network Sai Say Lai was arrested by the KIA/PDF joint forces on 19th June, 2022.
However, he was released on 23rd June, 2022.
Moreover, Sayadaw U Gandamar, the abbot of the monastery of Naung Pat Village, Banmauk Township was arrested and killed by the KIA/PDF joint forces on 4th September 2022.
It was not clear why Ko San Oo, who was doing community benefit activities, was arrested by the KIA/PDF joint forces, a resident of Banmauk told CNI News.
While viewing the PDF under the KIA
" KO San Oo was not guilty at all. He was constructing a building in the monastery while he was arrested by the KIA/PDF joint forces. The KIA/PDF didn't express why they arrested Ko San Oo. It's no problem if he is released unhurt. In the past, they (KIA/PDF) arrested a Shanni person and then tortured and killed him. No one reported that." he said.
Bullying, threatening and killing with weapons with a view to die out literature and culture that are ike tap roots for the survival of a nationality are blatantly violating Clause (3), Clause (8) and Clause (11) of the UN's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, said in the statement released by 28 Shanni Civil Society Organizations.
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CNI News
21 June 2024
The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee and working groups of the political parties group discussed the points that should be amended from the 2008 Constitution reportedly.
The discussion was held in Naypyidaw on 19th and 20th June. The points supposed to be amended from the 2008 constitution and establishment of a democracy and federalism based union were discussed at the meeting, stated the State Administration Council (SAC).
The two day long discussion was attended by U Ko Ko Gyi, Dr.Aye Maung, U Sai Ai Pao and U Aung Myat Oo from political parties group as well as Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, Lt-Gen Min Naing, Lt-Gen Win Bo Shein and Lt-Gen Ni Lin Aung from the NSPNC.
The Working Group of the political parties is made up of representatives elected from 47 political parties that are registered by the Union Election Commission and the election was held in Yangon 25th and 26th May.
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CNI News
21 June 2024
There has been a shortage of palm oil in the domestic palm oil market and it cannot be bought as much as one wants while the price has increased by about two times.
Although the price of palm oil was 6,000 kyats per viss last month, at present the price has been 12,000 to 14,000 kyats per viss, according to consumers. Not only was the price higher, it cannot be bought as much as one wanted.
Although there were some people who came and sold palm oil at 6,000 kyats per viss, it could not be bought as much as you wanted, U Thein Aung, a local from Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyarwady Region, told CNI News.
" We can buy palm oil. But it's expensive. Sometimes, people can buy 50 ticals of palm oil per head at 3,000 kyats at a corner of the road. But it was only temporary. When you go to buy it because you want it, you have to pay 1,300 or 1,350 kyats for 10 ticals." he said.
the reason why there is the scarcity of palm oil is because the amount of palm oil imported has decreased; goods imported have been limited and of the announcement that goods that arrive at the port without import license will be taken action against, reviewed some people.
Although authorities concerned have announced that palm oil must not be sold at more than 20 percent of the import price and those who sell at more than 20 percent will be taken action against, it has not been effective. So, the companies that import palm oil and agents who distribute it should be systematically tackled, U Myo Han, a market analyst, told CNI News.
" Wholesalers or companies that have import licenses to import palm oil can create this market. It will be convenient if they are systematically tackled." he said.
Edible oil is produced within the country and as domestic consumption is about 12 lakh tons, 9 lakh tons are imported each year, according to the trade department.
Palm oil is imported mainly from Malaysia and Indonesia and palm oil worth US$600 million is imported annually.
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CNI News
21 June 2024
The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee and the Working Group of the political parties of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) met reportedly.
He hoped to reach a common agreement among the State Administration Council (SAC), political parties and NCA signatories including amending the weak points of the 2008 Constitution, U Ko Ko Gyi, chairman of the People's Party (PP) told CNI News.
" Mainly, the SAC will hold a free and fair general election. And then the State power will be handed over to the winning party. It is included in the SAC's five point road map. I don't know when the coming election will be held. But there were not any agreements between the parties that ran the previous election and the government that held elections.
Therefore, bad consequences occurred. So, we have always demanded that prior agreements are required regarding how to amend the weak points of the constitution. When we meet, we need to identify the things that will be amended soon and the things that will amended later. As the first step, we hope to reach a common agreement among the SAC, political parties and the NCA signatories." he said.
The NSPNC and the working group of the political parties of the UPJDC met and discussed in Naypyidaw on 19th and 20th June 2024.
The points from the constitution that should be amended and the points to be filled as well as common agreements that have been reached after discussion and negotiation with EAOs were discussed at the meeting reportedly.
The delegates for the working group of the political parties were elected from the 47 parties that have got registration from the Union Election Commission (UEC) in May.
After that, the UPJDC's working group of the political parties will be led by the PP, the Arakan Front Party (AFP), the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party reportedly.
As a rotating leader, the USDP would discuss at the discussion between the NSPNC and political parties group, said U Ko Ko Gyi.
"This time as a rotating leader, Dr.Aung Myat Oo from the USDP will discuss with the NSPNC. Our parties have negotiated in advance which points will be discussed." he said.
The SAC was carrying out to conduct population and census-taking during October and making preparations to hold a general election in 2025, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC on 15th June.
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CNI News
21 June 2024
Although many people are saying that RTK 3.0 permits will be issued, the government departments have not officially announced, Myanmar citizens and philanthropic associations told CNI News.
RTK 2.0 started to be issued in January, 2023 and permit stickers will be issued in the end of June at the latest.
Brokers estimated and said that RTK 3.0 would be issued, Hmwar Michael, who lives in Malaysia, told CNI News.
" Brokers are saying without knowing thoroughly the RTK 3.0 will be issued. The departments haven't said that. Saying when RTK 3.0 will be issued, brokers are asking money as deposit from workers. Here too, jobs are very scarce. For the time being, operaco have not finished. Even if the RTK 3.0 permits were issued, would it take long, I think." he said.
Although the Malaysian government tends to carry out the plan that will reduce the number of illegal workers, more and more arrests are being conducted this year. However, the arrests have declined since a few days ago reportedly.
It was difficult to estimate whether the Malaysian government would arrest illegal foreign migrant workers and send them back to their native countries or work permits would be issued, said Myanmar citizens and philanthropic associations in Malaysia.
While a finger print process is being carried out
After the permit stickers have been completely issued, more arrests could be conducted, Ko Thet, chairman of the Beautiful Heart Philanthropic Blood Donors Association, told CNI News.
Because RTK 2.0 was issued not very long ago, it was impossible to issue RTK 3.0 and there were many Myanmar citizens who didn't take the permits, he said.
“Even when RTK 2.0 was issued, some Myanmar citizens didn't take it because they thought their jobs and accommodations were good. 50 percent of Myanmar workers want to take the permits. Those who don't take the permits don't want to pay for it. Permits are issued every 2 or 3 years. When Myanmar citizens come to Malaysia legally or illegally, they should have passports." he said.
Among those who applied for RTK 2.0 permits, the people who didn't conduct finger prints were designated as illegal workers, announced the Malaysian authorities.
Because brokers would persuade in various ways that new permits would be issued, an official announcement only should be watched, suggested Myanmar organizations in Malaysia.
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CNI News
20 June 2024
Overseas employment agencies have changed and sent more workers to China, Vietnam and Laos rather than usual countries reportedly from overseas employment agencies.
China and Myanmar are negotiating so that Myanmar workers could be officially sent to China, overseas employment agencies told CNI News.
Because of the age limitations on the workers who will go abroad to work, licensed overseas employment agencies are making a loss. So, the agencies have changed and sent workers to Vietnam and Laos, U Win Myint, managing director of Lucky Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.
" Malaysia has suspended calling jobs at all. Workers only from old demand letters are being sent to Thailand. Demand letters coming from Thailand have decreased. They are trying to officially send Myanmar workers to China. Myanmar workers are being sent to Vietnam and Laos as garment factory workers. although there is no MoU, if you get demand letters, you can submit them to officials concerned and then you can send workers these countries if the government permits. There have been MoUs between Myanmar and Laos or China." he said.
While seeing an overseas employment agency
Moreover, as agencies are competitively purchasing demand letters, a demand letter is paid 10,000 baht and if the demand letter were from factories, a demand letter would be paid until 30,000 baht reportedly.
As there is a need for labor in China, officials from the two countries are negotiating and discussing so that Myanmar workers can be officially sent to China. If it was convenient, China will become another country where Myanmar workers can be sent to, an official from the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) told CNI News.
While seeing a labor office
" Officials are still trying to send Myanmar workers to China. A lot of workers cannot be sent to China as yet. We have to send the workers under an MoU. But 90 Myanmar workers have been sent to China. The China side is desperately in need of workers. As the salaries are raised in Vietnam, they want to call Myanmar workers anymore." he said.
The agencies that have sent Myanmar workers abroad from September, 2023 to April, 2024 must submit remittance accounts of the workers to their families during the first five days of each month starting from June, 2024, said in the letter released by the Ministry of Labor.
Moreover, because the agencies don't comply with the instruction will be taken action against, the agencies are finding it difficult reportedly.
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CNI News
20 June 2024
There has been a sharp decrease in the number of schools that can be opened in the states and regions where there are territorial instabilities due to battles reportedly.
The number of schools that can be opened are reduced in Chin, Kayah, Kayin, Rakhine, Shan States, Sagaing and Tanintharyi Regions. All the schools in some townships, Chin State have been closed.
Although over 570 schools could be opened within Chin State last year, 69 schools only can be opened this year, an official from Chin State Education Office, told CNI News.
" All the schools in Paletwa, Kanpetlet, Tonzang can't be opened. Five schools in Tedim can be opened and so can six schools in Hakha, twelve schools in Falam, 12 schools in Matupi Township, and four schools in Mindat. 571 schools could be opened last year, but 69 schools only can be opened this year. There were over 50,000 students last year. But there are just over 10,000 students this year." he said.
While seeing a child who come to be enrolled in school
The government schools in Kutkai, Laukai, Theinni and Kunglong Townships that have been captured by ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State cannot be opened and school teachers have been allowed to transfer to other townships reportedly.
" The schools in the townships such as Kutkai, Laukkai, Theinni and Kunglong in northern Shan State that have been controlled by ethnic armed groups cannot be opened at the national level, but ethnic armed groups have opened the schools, I heard. All the school teachers of the government there have already transferred." said an education officer from northern Shan State to CNI News.
Because there were incidences that school buildings and teachers were attacked, schools in some townships cannot be opened reportedly.
In Rakhine State where there are over 3,000 basic education schools and about 100 monastic education schools and over 50 high schools, although most students wanted to attend school, they could not attend, U Tin Maung, an education activist for Rakhine people, told CNI News.
While some students are being enrolled
" At present, students in Rakhine State can't attend school. Grade-12 students ha,000ven't sat examination yet. About 10,000 of all the students haven't sat examination. 8,000 of all the students sat examination. But now, students who will study in Grade-12 and primary students all haven't attended school. Students want to attend school. There are teachers as well. There is a situation where schools cannot be opened. They are mainly worried about air strike." he said.
There are 13,879 basic education middle schools and 21,550 basic education primary schools in rural areas all over the country and there are 1,626 basic education middle schools and 3,318 basic education primary schools in urban areas across the country.
More than 5.9 million students were enrolled in basic schools, private schools and monastic education schools in states and regions from 23rd to 30th May for the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the Department of Basic Education.
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CNI News
20 June 2024
The Chinese Special Envoy Mr. Deng Xijun arrived in Naypyidaw, Myanmar at the time when the military tensions were taking place in northern Shan State and Rakhine State and met with the Myanmar Foreign Minister of the State Administration Council (SAC) U Than Swe on 18th June, 2024.
During the meeting, they discussed continuing cooperation between the two countries to promote the peace and stability along the China-Myanmar border, to speed up cooperating bilateral relations and the matters of mutual benefit as well as the matters regarding the ASEAN and the UN.
At present, the Myanmar Tatmadaw, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) are making preparations for possible battles and roads have been destroyed to stop transportation in some places in northern Shan State bordering China.
In the same way, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)/ the People's Defense Force (PDF) joint forces are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw and trying to control the border trade posts in Kachin State bordering China.
Moreover, the battles are severely breaking out between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Rakhine State where there are a lot of Chinese investments.
The AA, the TNLA and the MNDAA organized as the Northern Alliance and launched Operation-1027 on 27th October, 2023 and seized control of many townships in northern Shan State.
The three northern allies and the Myanmar Tatmadaw have been discussing the Haigen Discussion in Kunming, China through China's mediation starting from December, 2023.
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CNI News
19 June 2024
A horde of Wa troops have crossed to the west side of the Salween River, said locals of Shan State and military analysts.
A horde of Wa troops crossed to the west side of the Salween River during this month for the first time while armed conflicts are taking place after political changes arose on 1st February, 2021.
The United Wa State Army (UWSA) was supporting weapons to the EAOs that were fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw, said a Myanmar political commentator.
" Wa is the astutest armed group. It says it won't secede from Myanmar and China hasn't recognized it. If it secedes, its territory won't be separate but a territory of China. It doesn't want to be like that. It wants to live freely. In fact, they are not loyal. To tell you frankly, they are the astutest. Waving the Myanmar national flag so that they are not bombed, they sell weapons to make the central government unstable. Whether China will choose the "Wa" market, which has the same population as Hlaing Thayar in Yangon or the market with a population of 50 million in Myanmar? it is out of the question. Wa will sell weapons and agitate. It won't come out to the fore. It will exploit the situation." he said to CNI News.
While seeing the UWSA that has arrived in Hopang
The Myanmar Tatmadaw, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) are making preparations for possible battles in northern Shan State and locals are worried that battles will break out.
Moreover, There are territorial disputes and military tensions between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the TNLA, between the KIA and the MNDAA, between the TNLA and the MNDAA and between the TNLA and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP).
Moreover, battles are breaking out between the RCSS and the SSPP in Yatsauk Township, Shan State and accusations that the Wa troops are helping the SSPP have arisen.
About 6,000 UWSA troops crossed to the west side of the Salween River in the middle of this month, said military and political analysts.
While seeing Pangkham Town in the Wa region
Territorial disputes taking place in the ethnic areas should be solved through meetings and discussions, U Kun Gawng Awng Hkam, a Kachin politician, told CNI News.
" Whether they are Wa or Kokang groups, they should discuss and find an answer only after discussion with Shan groups. Solving the problem by arms won't be convenient in the long run." he said.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance (TNLA, MNDAA, AA) captured Hopang and Panlon that were controlled by the Myanmar Tatmadaw within the Wa Self-Administered Division during Operation-1027 and handed over the towns to the UWSA in January this year.
According to the 2008 Constitution, Hopang, Mong Mao, Matman, Nahpan, Pangkham, Panwai Townships were divided into two districts and designated as the Wa Self-Administered Division.