CNI News

5 Sept 2022

As prices of medicines and medical equipment are exorbitantly high in Myanmar, patients with chromic diseases are getting into trouble, Dr. Thurein Hlaing Wim, the chief editor and founder of Hello Sayarwon Health Information Page, told the CNI.

They can’t afford expenses at hospitals and specialist clinics and are forced to go to free clinics for treatments.

Dr. Thurein Hlaing Win told the CNI, “They patients with chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and hypertension. It is difficult for them to get medicines and medical equipment. And medicines are getting more and more expensive, they can’t afford them. They have to struggle disproportionately. They can’t afford medicines even when they have high blood pressures or blood sugar levels.

The prices of a common medicine called Decogen have risen from MMK 10,000 previously to 19,000 per pack at present.

Some cancer patients are forced to reduce their normal dosages of or completely stop taking cancer medicines, which are normally too expensive for grass roots to buy and necessary to take long-term, when their prices have skyrocketed.

Meanwhile, wholesalers and retailers of medicines and medical equipment have not been able to replenish the depleted stocks, Ma Theingi, the owner of a wholesale/retail pharmacy, told the CNI.

As prices are rising hour by hour, pharmacies have to reduce their stocks. Pharmacies, which keep ten bottles of medicines normally, now store only two to three bottles in their stocks. Some pharmacies come to us and buy very expensive medicine only after they have received orders. My stocks are running low as I mainly distribute medicines and gloves made in China,” said Ma Theingi.

During the third wave of COVID-19, the prices of medicines rose dramatically due to shortages of medicines and oxygen.

Currently, imports of medicines have fallen due to the appreciation of the US dollar and medicine prices are rising dramatically.

CNI News

3 Sept 2022

To tackle the depreciation of the kyat against the US dollar, it is necessary for the Central Bank of Myanmar to inject US$ 200 million every month until the US dollar depreciates, political observers and economists told the CNI.

After the Central Bank of Myanmar announced that it would provide US$ 200 million to address the rising prices of basic food items due to increases in fuel prices, US$ exchange rates and fuel prices dropped a little.

Therefore, it is necessary for the CBM to inject US$ 200 million into the market every month until the US dollar depreciates to provide true fuel oil importers, Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “I came across a report that the CBM will provide another US$ 200 million next month. If it is true, it is a good step and the situation could return to normal. When US dollar prices fall back to the official exchange rate, the CBM no longer needs to inject the US dollar into the market. It is an attempt to lower fuel prices. However, it is important for the CBM to sell the US dollar at the official exchange rate of MMK 2,100, which is much lower than market rates, to true fuel importers.

The Central Bank of Myanmar. (The Myanmar Time)

As Myanmar needs to import fuel worth about US$ 400 million every month, recent injection of US$ 200 million by the CBM is likely to have short-term impacts only, said economists.

Fuel oil imported from Russia is the only hope for Myanmar to lower fuel and US dollar prices, an economist, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, told the CNI.

He said, “As Myanmar needs US$ 400 million worth of fuel oil every month, US$ 200 million is enough for half a month. So, it will have short-term effects only. It is difficult for the CBM to inject the US dollar into the market in the long run because it has limited foreign reserves. So, the only hope for them is to lower fuel and US dollar prices is fuel imported from Russia. Half a month’ consumption of fuel oil will deplete in two weeks and it is difficult to inject the US dollar in the long run. They injected US$ 200 million to lower the prices of the US dollar, which jumped up exponentially. Fuel prices resurged to MMK 2,300 per litre yesterday and MMK 2,500 per litre today.”

A filling station.

At present, there is a wide gap between the official exchange rate set by the CBM and black market rates and the prices of imported goods have increased exponentially, pushing up the prices of basic food items.

To tackle the rising prices of basic food items caused by the surging prices of imported fuel, the CBM announced on 31st August that it would inject US$ 200 million into the foreign currency market with the approval of the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee.

CNI News

3 Sept 2022

The United League of Arakan/AA might be eyeing independence, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

The Arakan National Policy Coordination Committee (ANPCC) organized a forum entitled the fundamental principle of human security to be adopted in building a new Rakhine State (or) future federal democracy union and suggestions. Despite being invited, the ULA/AA failed to attend the forum.

U Pe Than said, “The ULA/AA should not have responded in this way. It has demanded confederate status at least. The demand could not be accepted by the other side. Even if the ULA/AA had attended the forum, it would not have wanted to hold discussions with political parties like the Arakan Liberation Party. However, it was entitled to hold separate discussions and invited separately. As we do not have military might, we had to humbly request it to join the forum. However, the ULA/AA seems to have decided to build their own strength to the maximum and will shape what they want based on that maximum strength. It seems that it has such an attitude and was not interested in joining the forum. Everyone is talking about federalism but no one has rolled out the federal system they prefer. On the other hand, the ULA/AA has already demanded confederate status. So, it considers federal status is lower than their expectation and it wants more than what it has demanded or independence.”

A statement of the ANPCC.

The ANPCC organized the forum for the fundamental principle on human security to be adopted in building a new Rakhine State (or) future federal democracy union and suggestions from 19th to 21st August, 2022 and it was attended by 32 representatives from members of the ANPCC representing two Rakhine revolutionary parties, the Arakan Liberation Party, Rakhine political parties including the Arakan National Council, the Arakan National Party, the Arakan Front Party and the Arakan League for Democracy and three indigenous ethnic parties, 18 representatives of civil society organizations and three independent representatives.

All organizations in Rakhine State were invited to the forum but there were some organizations that failed to attend the forum, Coordinator U Khin Maung Tun of the ANPCC told the CNI.

A road junction in Rakhine State.

He said, “We invited all organizations in Rakhine State. All of them participated in formation of the ANPCC. I think they might have been too busy to take part in the forum. When the ANPCC was formed, all of them including all political parties, all revolutionary parties and a large number of civil society organizations representing women, persons with disabilities and the environmental sector. It can be said that we invited all organizations in respective sectors. Some of them joined the forum while other did not.”

The political trend the ULA/AA prefers and the political approaches of other organizations are not the same and he thinks the ULA/AA will build its strength and take its own path, U Pe Than said.

A statement of the SAC over the attack on the outpost at the 40-mile border post by the ULA/AA.

ULA/AA Commander-in-Chief Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing disclosed that their organization prefers the confederate status similar to the Wa Special Self-Administrative Region.

Currently, the ULA/AA is enjoying the wider public support and clashes have broken out between it and the SAC troops.

CNI News

3 Sept 2022

Due to the increasing prices of construction materials, they are suffering losses, building contractors told the CNI.

Ko Kyaw Soe Moe, a building contractor, said the prices of steel bars have risen from MMK 750,000 to MMK 1 million per ton.

Ko Kyaw Soe Moe told the CNI, “We can no longer accept new projects as the prices of all construction materials including cement, steel bars, brick, sand and pebble have increased exponentially. So, we are in trouble and face many difficulties. We are spending our own money for projects in which we are responsible to buy construction materials. We accepted a construction project for MMK 10 million based on the prices of construction materials at that time. Then, the prices of construction materials increased exponentially. We could build a two-storey for MMK 25 million in the past. Now, we cannot build such a building for MMK 35 million.”

 A shopkeeper in Yangon.

Cement prices rose from MMK 5,000 before the coup rose to MMK 9,000.

Therefore, building contractors have stopped bidding for Yangon City Development Committee projects and turned to construction of RC building under PAE system.

However, only a few people build new home due to financial difficulties caused by the general crisis. As a result, daily wage earners in the construction industry are struggling for their survival.
In the past, daily wage earners were so busy that they did not have days-off but there is no job for them, Ko Soe Aung, a daily earner, told the CNI.

  Workers return to Dala on the other bank of the Yangon River

Ko Soe Aung said, “The rising commodity prices are another blow to up. As a bottle of cooking oil hits MMK 5,000, we have nothing left after buying food even if I earn MMK 10,000 a day. We had to borrow money for things we need. In the past, we had jobs for the entire month. Now, we don’t have jobs the entire month and we have to borrow money. I have secured a job for only three days.”

As he suffered losses, he planned to suspend his construction works until October, Ko Kyaw Soe Moe told the CNI.

Some construction sites have suspended their works due to rising US dollar exchange rates and prices of construction materials.

CNI News

3 Sept 2022

An increasing number of Myanmar citizens are buying properties including condominium apartments in Thailand, real estate agents and residents told the CNI.

In the past, Myanmar citizens purchased only one condominium in Thailand but the number has increased to about 10 since June and the Thai property market is booming, according to them.

Ma Khaung Khaung, a company staff in a Thai company told the CNI, “A large number of people from Myanmar are buying properties in Thailand and the demand is growing as Thai property sellers and companies launch direct promotions. Since people from Myanmar do not want to hold the kyat in their hands, the sale is brisk. It is incredible. There are many Myanmar citizens who purchased properties through our company. We have been very busy recently. In the past, Myanmar citizens mostly bought properties in Dubai and Singapore. I don’t know why they are now eyeing properties in Thailand. Buying properties and registering ownership are very easy in Thailand. As the Thai government has offered property rights to foreigners, not only people from Myanmar but also other foreigners are purchasing properties in Thailand in large numbers.”

Most Myanmar nationals who purchased properties prefer condominium apartments in commercial hubs like Bangkok and Maesot. Some Myanmar buyers purchased condominium apartments in Bangkok to send their children to study in Bangkok.

  A property agent conducts buyers around a condominium building.

Property prices in Thailand vary depending on their locations. Condominium apartments in the suburb are sold at more the Baht 1 million (about MMK 100 million) per 100-square feet while those at commercial centres fetch as much as Baht 8 million (about MMK 800 million) per 100-square feet, Ko Thein Oo, a condominium sale agent, told the CNI.

He said, “As the kyat has collapsed in Myanmar, they are investing here. However, there are some Myanmar citizens who invested in the Thai property market after the coup. Many of them I know are people from the film industry. The condominium sale business is brisk. In places like Phalansong,
which ranks third or fourth in Bangkok, a Myanmar buyer has to pay more than Baht 8 million per 100-square feet on the eighth floor. That is an enormous sum of money in Myanmar. In commercial centres like places near the airport, condominium prices are much higher.”

Although foreigners are allowed to buy condominium apartments only, investment visa holders who have invested in Thai companies are permitted to buy other types of properties.

Myanmar nationals who hold Myanmar passports can transfer money via Yoma Bank in Myanmar but it is very difficult to transfer a large sum of money in Myanmar. Therefore, Thai condominium sale companies arrange other means for Myanmar nationals.

CNI News

3 Sept 2022

The mechanism of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee seems to stop working, Chairman U Ko Ko Gyi of the People’s Party told the CNI.

He said that the State Administration Council never uses the term and its mechanism has stopped working at present.

He said, “Even the SAC does not use the term UPDJC because it was made up of three groups including one representing the government, the military and the parliament, another group representing signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and a group representing political parties. Therefore, its mechanism seems to stop working. So, I am aware that the SAC does not use the term.”

The UPDJC group representing political parties and the National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae held discussions in Nay Pyi Taw on 6th March and the group was reformed on 27th August, 2022.

The NSPNC led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae.

The UPDJC group representing political parties is still working on its tasks and holds talks with the NSPNC once a month, Secretary Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein of the group told the CNI.

Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein said, “We think that the upcoming election held by the SAC will be fair. U Sai Aik Paung and I were reelected as the chairman and the secretary respectively. Some news reports were not true. We hold meetings with the SAC regularly. It is seeking advice from us.”

The chairman of UPDLC group representing political parties is from the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party and Secretary Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein is from the Democratic Party (Myanmar). Group members are representatives from other parties.

The UPDJC is made up of 16 representatives from each group. However, the group representing the government, the military and the parliament and the group representing EAOs have not nominated their representatives while political parties are raising question on whether the group can represent all political parties.

CNI News

3 Sept 2022

As applying for passports in Yangon Region by applicants themselves may take a long time, some people apply passports through agents, who offer helps to get passports faster. Agent fees range between MMK 250,000 and MMK 400,000, some passport applicants told the CNI.

As a large number of people are trying to work or study abroad, many people applied passports online but booking for QR codes has been full until December. As a result, some people try to get faster passports with the help of agents and agent fees have risen to such amounts.

Ko Tin Ko, a passport applicant told the CNI, “I can apply my passport online. However, I can’t get the QR code to apply for my passport by myself and will have to wait three to four months. So, it is very difficult to get passports and many people decided to throw money at the problem. So, agent fees have risen. Some people borrowed money from others at high interest rates to work abroad. So, the longer they wait, the more interest they will have to pay. For workers, they will get their wages if they can go abroad as soon as possible. So, they decided to throw money at the problem.”

It takes three to four months to get passports if applicants try to get passports by themselves but faster passports are issued within about a month.

The practice of applying for passports through agents has been in existence for years but agent fees were about MMK 150,000 in the past.

   People lining to apply for passports.

Online bookings have been full because of people who work in Yangon and do not want to go back to their towns to apply for passports and some people who resell their bookings.

Director Ko Nay Oo of Naytic Asia Employment Agency, “If you book for your passport now, you will get it in December or January. If you get your passport within a month from application, you get it within a short period. It takes four or five months to get a passport because a large number of people are preparing to work abroad. Although only a few people go to Japan, hundreds of thousands of people are trying to work in Thailand and Malaysia. There were many people in the passport office when I applied for my passport. I had to give MMK 400,000 to the agent and wait for about a month. As bookings were full until November, I had to seek the help of agents. How can I go abroad without a passport. This was the only way to get a passport quickly.”

When online bookings are made at Myanmar Passport Office, those who bribed through agents receive earlier booking numbers than those who are not, according to an applicant.

Some applicants who want to work abroad are tricked out of their money by their agents.

Although it is impossible for relevant departments to take action against agents and booking resellers, current agent fees are too high and should be around MMK 150,000, which will be affordable, according to passport applicant.

CNI News

3 Sept 2022

Rice is being distributed to workers in industrial zones in Yangon Region at cheaper prices, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.

As the prices of rice have risen, rice is sold to grass roots in industrial zone at cheaper prices, Secretary U Aung Myint of the MRF told the CNI.

“The prices of rice have increased. So, we sell rice to them at cheaper prices because there are many grass roots in industries. The prices of all commodities including rice have risen. Our federation is selling rice at reasonable prices in tax-free markets,” he said.

   The MRF distributes rice at cheaper prices at Wardan Road Commodity Exchange. (CNI)

In cooperation with merchants, officials from industrial zones and the MRF is distributing Pyapon Pawsan rice at MMK 12,800 per bag (five pyis) and Emata rice at MMK 8,000 per bad (five pyis).

An official from the MRF told the CNI, “Sometimes, officials from industrial zones report their need to us and we sell rice for farmers after negotiation with them. Sometimes, we sell rice in cooperation with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.”

Factory owners are required to submit the list of their workers to relevant industrial zone committees and the MRF sells rice to workers at cheaper prices in accordance with the list of workers approved by industrial zone committees.

Moreover, the MRF has been distributing Shwebo Pawsan, Pyapon Pawsan, Kyarpyan and 90-day rice varieties at cheaper prices at Wardan Road Commodity Exchange of the MRF in cooperation with rice associations since 3rd August.

CNI News

3 Sept 2022

Forces of the Kachin Independence Army and the People’s Defence Force has attacked forces of the Shanni National Army without fighting the Tatmadaw, Spokesperson Col Sai Aung Mein of the SNA told the CNI.

He added that the KIA has launched military operations in areas where Shanni people live with the aim of destroying Shanni people totally.

He told the CNI, “The KIA and the PDF are attack our SNA without fighting the Tatmadaw because areas controlled by the SNA are rich in natural resources. The KIA has been trying to penetrate the areas for a long time. So, the KIA entered the areas by exploiting the PDF during the political crisis. Another reason is that the areas where they launched military operations are the areas of Shanni people under our control. So, Shanni people suffered deaths, injuries and destructions of war. Towns and villages were damaged. Shanni people are forced to suffer the destructions of war. As they don’t want Kachin people to suffer the destructions, they launched military operations in our areas. It can be said that they are trying to destroy our people totally.

A ward in Banmuak.

Clashes broke out between the SNA and allied forces of the KIA and the PDF near Asheigone Village in Banmauk Township in the morning of 31st August.

It was reported that the KIA and the PDF have demanded five youths in each village in Banmauk Township for conscription, but the CNI was not able to independently verify the news.

He hadn’t received any report of clashes in Banmauk Township, Spokesperson Col Naw Bu of the KIA told the CNI.

Forces of the SNA.

Col Naw Bu said, “I haven’t received any report about clashes with the SNA at the border areas with Sagaing Region. Our forces there haven’t sent any reports. So, we don’t know anything.”

Allied forces of the KIA and the PDF launched attacks on an SNA outpost near Hsezin Village in Hpakant on 8th August.

Similarly, Allied forces of the KIA and the PDF raided an SNA outpost near Namthoung Village in Banmauk Township on 23 August and both sides suffered causalities.

The SNA is an ethnic armed organization fighting for founding Shanni State by integrating Mawlike District, Kale District, Hkamti District, Katha District and Tamu District in Sagaing Region and Bhamo District, Myitkyina District, Mohnyin District and Moekaung District in Kachin State.