CNI News

16 Nov 2022

The Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) is unlikely to expel Myanmar from the regional block, Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI.

The ASEAN makes decisions based on consensus and it is very difficult for the block to make such a decision, he added.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, "Under the ASEAN Charter, resolutions are made on concensus. At present, there are wide differences over the Myanmar issue among the members. It is difficult to expel Myanmar from the block. Moreover, the charter prohibits interference of the internal affairs of member states and intimidation and coercion. It is impossible for the ASEAN to expel Myanmar from the block."

During the ASEAN summit on 10th November, some members proposed to expel Myanmar from the block and an intense debate broke out among leaders, according to Philippines President Marcos.

Lawyer U Kyee Myint echoed the similar view.

An empty chair for a Myanmar representative at an ASEAN meeting. (Reuters)

He told the CNI, "The ASEAN will never take such measures because it is nothing but a block that is always pretending  to do something or other whenever an issue arises. They will not take such measures. Moreover, there is no provision for expelling a country from the regional body in their charter. If they add a clause to expel a member in their charter, they will be able to do that.  There are other political reasons too. So, they won't expel Myanmar."

The ASEAN cannot be expected to resolve the Myanmar cirisis and the block had been divided into the Chinese camp and the US camp, he added.

The SAC foreign ministry announced that Myanmar would not respect the decisions made at the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Jakarta in Indonesia on 27th October, 2022, as it was not invited.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, "Some advisors to the SAC are also suggesting that Myanmar should leave the regional body because it is insulting Myanmar by not inviting the SAC chairman and the foreign minister to their meetings. However, elected governments in the future will have to try to rejoin the body. So, I don't think they should leave the ASEAN because it will further isolate itself and there are some countries that support the junta. So, they won't leave the block if they are farsighted."

ASEAN members have agreed to invite non-political officials to their meeting as long as the SAC fails to make progress on the five-point consensus of the block.

CNI News

16 Nov 2022

Plans are underway to establish administrative, legislative and judicial mechanisms in Chinland (Chin State), Spokesperson Salai Tun Tun Oo of the Chinland Joint Defence Committee told the CNI.

The CJDC has urged the public not to take part in the elections to be held by the State Administration Council.

If the SAC fails to hold elections, the international community will acknowledge that the people do not accept the SAC, he added.

He said, "The international community will acknowledge that the people obviously reject the SAC and it cannot hold elections. Even if the SAC will be able to hold elections in some places, it is clear that it is supported by only a few people. We cannot hold elections in Chin State during the revolutionary period. We will reject the government formed for Chin State by the SAC. We will set up our own administrative, legislative and judicial mechanisms in our Chinland."

Action will be taken against those who take part in elections held by the SAC, the CJDC announced.

Voters' lists issued by election commissions.

The SAC will hold elections without fail but the people will disrupt them, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The SAC will hold elections in areas under their control and force people to cast votes. The people will reject their elections, which are not free and fair. However, the SAC will forcefully announce election results so that Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing can become president. The people will reject the elections."

The Karenni National Progressive Party has asked political parties in Kayah State (Karenni) not to contest elections to be held by the SAC.

Acting President Duwa Lashi La has vowed to disrupt elections to be held by the junta.

However, the SAC announced that elections will be held in August, 2023 and said efforts are being exerted to hold elections in all states and regions.

CNI News

16 Nov 2022

Hong Kong, Dubai, India and Thailand have placed orders to import avocados from Myanmar, according to the Myanmar Avocados Producers and Exporters Association.

Currently, some countries are ordering a  40-foot container of avocados as a trial basis  to assess the damage and quality of the fruit while other countries are importing one ton of the fruit, Secretary U Kyaw Soe Min of the MAPEO told the CNI.

He said," We have received a lot of orders after negotiations. We are trying to export avocados on a trial basis to every country that has contacted us. Even if we cannot export the fruit this year, we are making it ready for next year. Recently, importers from Hongkong ordered a container of the fruit while those from Dubai ordered 15 tons of the fruit every week. We have not decided the matter because we are still discussing it. We will export at least one ton of the fruit to every country that are interested in importing the fruit from our country to study damage, quality and standards.``

Avocados from Myanmar were on display at fruit fairs in France and Thailand in October and.

Importers from Hong Kong, Dubai, Thailand and India are interested in buying the fruit from Myanmar, according to Vice Chairman U Kyaw Thu of the Myanmar Fruits, Flowers and Vegetables Producers and Exporters Association.

He said, "Recently, Myanmar has grown avocados on a commercial scale. We haven't received GACC from China. We are exporting the fruit to India and Thailand through informal trade but we cannot penetrate into their markets. However, we were able to penetrate the EU market at fruit fairs in France and Thailand. Many importers are interested in our fruits but we don't have enough fruit to export to them all."

Currently, Myanmar exports the fruit to Thailand, China and India through the border trade and produces 1,000 tons of the fruit every year.

Myanmar will be able to produce enough avocados to export in 2025.

Avocados are grown in Taunggyi, Hopone, Nyaungshwe, Hsehsi, Kalaw, Pindaya, Ngyarngan, Lausksauk, Pinlaung, Pekhon,  Lwelin, Lashio, Kutkai, Kyaukme, Hsipaw and Naungkhio in Shan State (North) and (South) and PyinOoLwin in Mandalay Region.

CNI News

16 Nov 2022

Myanmar migrants have been warned of protests and travel to other districts they are not allowed to go to, labour activists for Myanmar migrant workers told the CNI.

The summit is scheduled from 16 to 19 November and Thai democracy activists, oppositions, labour and feminist activists are planning to stage protests.

As a result, security has been tightened in the venue of the APEC and related areas in Bangkok.

Preparations for the APEC Summit. (GETTY IMAGES)

Ko Thar Gyi, who has been offering assistance to Myanmar migrant workers, told the CNI, " Thai authorities have announced this officially, the oppositions can secure the release of their citizens who are involved in illegal protests on bail. However, if Myanmar migrants involve in the protest of the opposition, legal action will be taken against them because they are not Thai citizens. The summit is an important one for Thailand, security has been tightened in border areas. Even if labour activists want to stage protests for their rights, they are required to seek permission from authorities."

Thai authorites have announced that legal action will be taken against protestors who come to Bangkok from other provinces during the summit.

Thai authorities are closely monitoring Myanmar migrant workers associations, Consultant U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI.

He said, "As we are one of the entities which have been pressured by Thai authorities, we can't do anything. They have been pressuring us repeatedly. Don't go to the protests. They will accuse us of tarnishing the image of the country in such an important occasion. As we have been at the forefront of the public movement, they are pressuring us. Those who live in Bangkok may do something else. However, we do not encourage people from other provinces to go to Bangkok as they can be deported to Myanmar. Individuals and organizations are urged to take the issue seriously."

Myanmar migrant workers. (GETTY IMAGES)

U Min Oo of the FED echoed the similar view.

He told the CNI, "Migrant workers are required to bring all official documents if they have to go to other provinces. They should prepare for contacts with their employers and friends. They are now searching not only Myanmar migrants but also for other nationals. It is more important for them to take extra care than before."

Thai authorities have tightened security since October for the summit and been launching stop and check operations.

CNI News

14 Nov 2022

The Peace Process Steering Team announced that it supported the claims of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that she would make a statement after meeting with the central executive committee.

The announcement of the the PPST.

The PPST announced that it supported the announcement that Joe Biden recommended the cooperation of the SAC in implementation of the five consensus.

Currently, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is detained and some CEC members of the NLD have been detained.

CNI News

15 Nov 2022

Many of the Myanmar nationals who were detained for various charges and have served their terms in prisons and camps in Malaysia are facing difficulty returning home, Myanmar communities in Malaysia told the CNI.

They have remained in camps and detention centres as they have lost contacts with families in Myanmar or their friends in Malaysia and they cannot afford air tickets while the Myanmar embassy in Malaysia have been able to send only a few of them back, the communities told the CNI.

U Babu Gyi, who has been offering assistance to Myanmar nationals in Malaysia, told the CNI, "There is a large number of them in crowded camps and detention centres in Malaysia. They have lost contact with their relatives and friends and no one pays for their air tickets. They have faced difficulty returning h and some of them have been stranded there for months. I can help only a few of them because I cannot afford air tickets for all of them because it costs me Ringgit 900 to buy a ticket. I am just an ordinary worker here. If they had passports and NRCs, it would be easier to contact their families."

Hundreds of them are stranded in each camp and detention centre in Malaysia.

Their personal data are required to submit to the Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia, which will issue a certificate of identity after the data have proved to be true and correct.

A prison in Malaysia and a police van.

As they are required to pay Ringgit 900 for air tickets after their data have proved to be true and correct, the process takes a long time and their returns have been delayed, Myanmar communities in Malaysia told the CNI.

As a result, camps and detention centres in Malaysia are crowded with Myanmar nationals.

U Babu Gyi said, "Those who afford ticket fares can return home after they have contacted their families. Moreover, there are many people with the same names. Recently, I went to see a Myanmar woman in a prison but she was not the woman I wanted to see. She has the same name with the woman I wanted to see.
Now, I am looking for a man but there were three people who has the same name as him in the prison. I didn't know which of them was the person I will have to recommend. We have a lot of difficulties offering assistance to them.

Migrants detained in a detention centre in Malaysia.

Daily arrests in Malaysia make prisons and camps there more crowded with illegal migrants, many of whom are suffering from health issues including diarrhea and depression.

Therefore, it is necessary for the Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia to carry out the identification process faster, General Secretary U Chit Kaung of the Association for Assistance of Myanmar Migrant Workers in Malaysia told the CNI.

He said, "In embassies of other countries, they set up teams composed of lawyers, one or two embassy officials to help their citizens who were detained and to reduce their penalties and to return home as soon as possible. If Myanmar authorities set up such teams to help Myanmar migrants as soon as they were arrested, it will be faster and easier for Myanmar migrants to get home without delays."

In the past, the Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia often arranged free flights for those who cannot afford air tickets to bring them back home but it has not been able to do so recently, according to Myanmar communities in Malaysia.

CNI News

15 Nov 2022

Division among Rakhine resistance groups bodes ill for the revolution, Vice Chairperson Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin of the Arakan Liberation Army told the CNI.

Some fake Facebook accounts are currently spreading false news to create misconceptions among the public and there are differences among revolutionary groups with the same visions.

She told the CNI, "There are many groups of people who support them or us. What is inappropriate is that social media attacks are launched by many fake Facebook accounts to create not only misconceptions and distrusts among the public. Although we cannot pinpoint exactly who are behind the attacks, it is thought that the attacks are being launched by supporters of different revolutionary groups. There is division among different revolutionary groups. It does not bode will for the future. As the groups are fighting under different flags through different means, there are differences although they have the same vision. This may also cause differences among the supporters of different groups. It does not augur well for the nationalist revolution."

 A road junction in Rakhine State.

On 10th November, the ALP announcded that its central committee member Khaing Mya Thar was arrested by the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army on 7th November, 2022.

The ULA/AA denied the accusation and it was learnt that the central committee member was detained by other ALP members, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI, adding that the public support for the revolution is not likely to be undermined although the two groups are opposing each other.

He said, "We are not worried about the situation. The ULA is able to controol the entire Rakhine State on the ground. Although the ALP was formed earlier, it does not have more than 100 members. On the other hand, the ULA has taken over many camps of the junta and build up their own military posts as well. It has routed military troops and controlled various areas. The ALP does not have a military post in the country and it is also engaging in peace talks with the junta without any opposition to and clashes with it. The ALP may return to the legal fold and enter parliamentary politics. It may become a border guard force or a reseve force. Although there are differences between the two oppsing groups, public support for the revolution is unlikely to be divided and the ULA has been able to win the hearts of the people. Public support and the situation on the ground is in ULA's favour. Public support cannot be divided."

A delegation led by Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin in Maijaryan in July, 2016.

The ALP announced that 17 of its members had been detained by the ULA/AA.

The ULA/AA, the ALP and the Arakan Nation Council/Arakan Army are active in Rakhine State.

The ALP is a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement while the ULA/AA and ANC/AA are still fighting against the junta.

CNI News

13 Nov 2022

As the United States has imposed sanctions on Myanmar, there is no good news for Myanmar economy even if the House of Representatives dominated by the Democrats is replaced by the Republicans, according to Myanmar politics and economy observers.

Mid-term elections were held in the US on 8th November and as Republicans led by former President Donald Trump are likely to gain ground at the House of Representatives, Ukrainians are worried about the potential losses of military assistance from the US while Myanmar expects the easing of economic sanctions.

Mid-terms elections are not likely to have an impact on Myanmar economy and leadership change in the US has impacts on Myanmar, a Myanmar economic observer told the CNI.

Myanmar nationals queuing for daily meals at charities in Myanmar due to the economic crisis.

He said, " I can't see any direct impact. Mid-term elections are not important for US policies. Some new governors will take office. This always happens every two or four years. There is no impact on Myanmar. If the leadership was to be changed, there would be impacts. No significant change will take place. We will have to wait until 2024 to see whether the Republicans win the presidency. If the Republicans win, they won't tighten sanctions against us. At present, the US is tightening sanctions against us phase by phase."

There were speculations that support for Ukraine might be reduced if the Republicans dominate the House of Representatives, which is likely to lead the war to negotiations and the oil and dollar markets are likely to be stable.

The US has imposed sanctions on Myanmar generals who ousted the civilian government, resulting in an economic crisis.

Workers returning after work to the other side of the Yangon River in Dala.

As a result, the prices of consumer products and medicine and fuel are skyrocketing while US$ exchange rates are soaring.

Therefore, the SAC is trying to ease the crisis by importing oil from Russia.

Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI, "The support for Ukraine may be reduced but sanctions on Myanmar will not be lifted. If more sanctions are imposed on Myanmar, the country will have to rely on Russia for fuel. They will have to think about a better channel to import fuel from Russia via India or China."

The current political situation depends largely on the domestic political landscape rather than on the international community. political observers and economists pointed out that the economy of Myanmar mainly rests on stability and proper economic policies.

CNI News

13 Nov 2022

Four Karen armed factions will reunify eventually in the future , Col Saw San Aung of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army told the CNI.

If Karen armed factions reunify, the Karen people will be glad, he added.

He told the CNI, "We have yet to discuss the details but we are standing under the Karen National Flag in the near future. There will be no problems for armed factions of the same ethic group to reunify. The Karen people will be happy if all factions can reunify. As there are many factions, the people have to pay taxes at various gates of each group and taxes have been a burden for the public."

Col, Saw San Aung.(KNU)

He also added that it would take time for the four factions to reunify and the current political situation of the country was complicated and reunification was possible when the country was stable.

Led by the Karen National Union, leaders of Karen armed factions inclding the DKBA, the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army/Peace Council and the Border Guard Force in Karen State met with the people and discussed a peace deal.

The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win and Chief of Staff Gen Saw Johnny of the KNU, and Vice Chairperson Naw Kapaw Htoo from the KNU/KNLA/PC.

Leaders of Karen armed groups meet in Kyar Inn Village in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State on 11th November, 2022.(KNU)

Col Saw San Aung said, "Karen armed factions have been cooperating since 2013 by forming a reunification committee. However, we did not announce it publicly.  As the committee was formed without convening a conference, there were weaknesses. At yesterday's meeting, we revealed the public that we had been working to that end since 2013. We also hold discussions to avoid bloodshed among our factions."

The four Karen armed factions are active in Karen State.

Among them, the KNU, the DKBA and the KNU/KNLA/PC are signatories to the NCA and BGF is under the command of the military.