CNI News

8 January 2025

Buses have been allowed to run to Loi Sang Long aka Zalon Taung, one of the heritage sites of Shanni nationalities in Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region, said locals. 

Buses that would go to Zalon Taung had been banned since 2022 and have been allowed to run again on 6th January 2025.

" Buses that climb up to the pagoda on Loi Sang Long Mountain aka Zalon Taung have been allowed to run this morning." said a Banmauk resident. 

The opening ceremony of the bus line that would go up and down the mountain was held by the board of monks who give counsel or advice, the board of patrons, and the trusteeship as well as regional authorities on the morning of January 6th.

CNI News

8 January 2025

Dialogues were needed to get armed organizations on the path to democracy, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), an NCA signatory, Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News. 

It was necessary to push armed groups to move towards democracy, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) in his New Year speech on 1st January 2025.

It was necessary to hold dialogues so that the country could reach on the path to democracy and only when answers are obtained from those discussions, the country could reach on the path to democracy through political roundtables, said Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin to CNI News.

"When analyzing politics, leaders may have different views. No matter how much you kit tell people who are fighting in armed struggle to be encouraged to take the path of democracy, I think it will be difficult for them to abandon the armed path unless an answer that can be certainly decided emerges because revolutionary forces have succeeded to an extent, it will be difficult to an extent to make them abandon arms and get on the path to democracy. At present, the political framework is so narrow while the war framework is so wide. Meanwhile, it's unlikely for ordinary people to push armed groups to reach on the path to democracy. Individuals in conflict must discuss with each other to reach a consensus. After a discussion for a while, take a rest. We can't go on like this. We need to discuss it until we get an answer. I think we will get on the path to democracy through the political round table." she said.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and some leaders of political parties

Armed groups should act democratically, considering what they want to be and what they should be, and looking to the benefit of the Union, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC. 

Both rival organizations need to reach a common path without holding fixed positions, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

"The question of whether it will be easy for these armed groups to follow the democracy that the chairman of the SAC envisions will be answered by the current level of conflict, I think. If they don't follow, it's probably because the path he envisions and the path the armed groups envision are not the same. Can he reduce it to match their expectations? He must think about it. If the chairman holds his position firmly, then on the other hand, armed groups will hold their expectations firmly as well. It will only be the same if we reach a path that can be overlapped. If you talk about democracy, how far have you got into the democratic culture, which you must consider." he said.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on Christmas Day

He believed that the problems encountered in a society where people co-exist can only be solved successfully through democratic means, namely dialogue, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the Christmas celebration on 22nd December. 

They will boldly implement the necessary changes to make the revolution successful, said Mahn Win Khine Than, PM of the NUG on 1st January 2025.

Myanmar is not a country that would fall apart if the Myanmar Tatmadaw was no more, he said on 21st August 2024.

CNI News

7 January 2025

As the electricity problem could be widespreadly, it was an issue that the government must urgently address, pointed out businessmen. 

Although the electricity was four hours available and four hours not available each day and the electricity was available at night before, now there are 16 hours of power failure a day and two times of four hours each only.

As the electricity was not regularly available, when the people used generators, as fuel oil could be higher in demand, the government needed to tackle the problem carefully after calculations, U Aung Pyae Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

" Normally, more electricity was provided to industrial zones. Currently, the peak electricity consumption period has not yet arrived. The electricity is used most in summer. When the summer sets in, if the electricity is not available enough, this problem could be experienced as a great difficulty. The government should invite foreign investments regarding electricity. For example, if one unit was paid 200 kyats at the price of the government, one unit might be 500 or 700 kyats at the price of foreign investors. If people have two or three alternatives, it could be convenient." he said.

Although there are 16 hours of power failure a day and electricity will be consumed by two times of four hours, four hours of electricity often are not available to the full, and not every home has a generator, an inverter or solar panels.

While seeing a woman producing candles

They shouldn't be talking about doubling or tripling production at the time when the electricity is not regularly available, pointed out businessmen. 

So, even if the electricity availability didn't get worse than the current period in summer, the people could face a more difficult situation, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

" When there are four hours of power availability and eight hours of power failure a day, people have to cook and pump up water. In some places, people have to use the water from the Joebyu Reservoir. When the water is available, the electricity is not available. In a situation like this, contract apartment dwellers get into trouble. Next, the examination season has arrived for 8th and 10th grade students. Yangon residents, Yangonites, are already accustomed to air conditioners. Because there are many tall buildings in Yangon, air in and out are blocked. How can we sleep at night? We are going to lose sleep. Foreign investments will enter only when the economic atmosphere is good." he said.

Because battles are breaking out across the country at present, the electricity is not regularly distributed to the battle areas. So, some people are asking questions about where the excess energy is going.

CNI News

7 January 2025

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) reportedly built school buildings for IDP children who fled battles taking place in upper Sagaing Region in order that they could go on learning

There have been over 1,0,000 IDPs who entered Homalin Township where has been controlled by the SNA due to the battles that took place in Tamu Township, Thanant region and Homalin Township. 

The SNA built school buildings for over 200 IDP children among the IDPs, said locals.

The SNA is an EAO that is trying to get Shanni State, gathering Kalay, Tamu, Homalin, Katha, Mawlike, Banmauk, Phaung Byin, Kawlin, Wuntho and Pinlebu in Sagaing Region as well as Bahmo, Myitkyina, Mohnyin, Mogaung and Indawgyi regions in Kachin State.

The SNA is being active in Tamu, Phaung Byin, Khamti, Homalin, Pinlebu, Katha, Banmauk and along the India-Myanmar border areas in Sagaing Region as well as Hpakant, Karmine, Mohnyin, Mogaung and along the railway in Kachin State.

The SNA was carrying out regional stability in these regions and security for the people's lives and properties and protecting the attacks of the KIA-ODF joint forces, said locals.

CNI News
5 January 2025

Power would be handed over to the government that emerges from the general election, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC).

He vowed in his message sent to the celebration of 77th Independence Day that fell on 4th January.

" The ultimate goal of the SAC is to successfully hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election; the SAC will carry out to hold an orderly, fair and dignified general election and continue to work towards handing over state responsibilities to the government that emerges from the election, which I want to promise." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The chairman has said that the election would be held in 2025 in phrases. At present, battles are severely taking place between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups and the number of IDPs has been over three million.

Moreover, nearly a hundred thousand houses and buildings were damaged and burned.

It might be difficult to fully hold the election because battles are being waged in Ayeyarwady, Bago and Mandalay Regions although it was possible in Naypyidaw Council Territory, Yangon and Ayeyarwady and Bago Regions, pointed out military and political analysts.

Because the Myanmar Tatmadaw was born from the people, it would protect the country all out, said chairman of the SAC on Independence Day.

CNI News
5 January 2025

Khun Tun Oo and Sai Nyunt Lwin, former chairman and incumbent chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy as well as Naing Chay Mon, a Mon ethnic were awarded honorary medals for performance, Excellent Performance in Social Field (first class), released the State Administration Council (SAC) on 4th January 2025.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC awarded those who took part in the discussion held at the National Assembly so as to be able to lay down detailed principles to draft the 2008 Constitution on the 77th Independence Day that falls on 4th January.

There were 249 people who were awarded Excellent Performance in Social Field (first class).

Among them were Khun Tun Oo and Sai Nyunt Lwin, Shan ethnic leaders as well as Naing Chay Mon, a Mon ethnic leader. Moreover,U Chan Tun, U Tun Yi, Naing Tala Mon and Naing Ayka were included as well.

CNI News

4 January 2025

Because the bank concerned was responsible for the security system regarding the mobile phone digital money fraud, the bank must solve the fraud problems, banking experts and businessmen told CNI News. 

The frauds were not because of users and data of the users could be hacked by the bank only, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

" There are three points. There are passwords in the data transition. Two are related to customers and one is related to the bank. According to Information Technology,  if you hack the information about the customer, you can't reach the information about the bank. But if you hack the information regarding the bank, you'll know the passwords and information about the customers. In any case, the bank is responsible for the security system in mobile banking. Management Information Systems (MIS) must be applied carefully for security. But we can't find any accountability when the problem takes place. In my opinion, bank staff must be inspected. Mainly, the bank is responsible for the security system." he said.

While seeing a shop providing digital money service

The users of the KBZ Pay, digital mobile money of the Kanbawza Bank, were embezzled after being said by phone that the KBZ Pay would be upgraded in the past. But now money is being widely stolen by using technology. 

The Central Bank announced on December 31 that it is identifying individuals and organizations that commit digital financial fraud through mobile phones and will take effective action.

Frauds were not because of users and fraud cases through one time passwords, passwords and security data reportedly are being investigated. 

The people were using digital mobile money because they didn't trust banks and because the bank was not responsible and accountable in the fraud cases, the credibility of the bank declined more, U Aung Pyae Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

While seeing the statement released by the KBZ Pay

" The bank or the mobile operator must find an answer as to why it happened. They must have responsibility and accountability. Otherwise, the people are not to use it. The money that was deposited in a way that was thought to be safe and easy to use has disappeared, and there are questions about who will take responsibility and take action. Officials concerned will have to take responsibility." he said.

When the KBZ Pay investigated fraud cases, they were related to the device change such as change of handsets and 31 cases were identified, reported the KBZ Pay on 3rd January 2025.

Now the device change has been suspended by operators and the system maintenance is being conducted. 

On 7th January 2025, the device change can be started again.

While investigating, the KBZ Pay has started advance replacement payments since 31st December so as to prevent financial loss for 31 users.

CNI News

4 January 2025

Military and political analysts are discussing and considering how military and political situations will be like in 2025. 

There might be military activities in some places while there might be discussions in other places in 2025, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" In 2025, there might be military activities while there might be discussions in other places. But the people are bored of the war. They can't stand it, I think. So, Stakeholders can focus a little on the discussion side. Something stable can be won from the discussion. In some ways, elections may emerge through stability. As neighboring countries and other countries have urged to make peace, there might be discussions and military activities half by half. Largely, the places where battles broke out could be a bit stable," he said.

While seeing leaders of the MNDAA and Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo of the Myanmar Tatmadaw

At China's brokered engagement, the MNDAA and the SAC met and discussed in Kunming, China on 15th and 16th December 2024 and ended without any agreement. 

The AA reported on 29th December that it would discuss and solve the domestic problem through political means. 

But if the discussion between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA happened to take place, it couldn't succeed and military tensions could resume, considered military and political analysts.

The Yaw Army (YA) would speed up its military operations in cooperation with its allies for the liberation of the Yaw region, announced the YA on 24th December 2024. 

Moreover, the Student Armed Force (SAF) announced on 1st January 2025 that penetrating the middle part of Myanmar was its military goal in 2025.

The SAC had invited armed groups to meet and discuss peace. 

While seeing the AA

Although some ethnic leaders were saying that they wanted federalism and ethnic rights, in practice they were trying to disintegrate the Union, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Political dialogues should be held in 2025 to reduce military tensions, chairman of the Arakan National Network, U Tin Htoo Aung told CNI News.

" We don't want military activities to become more tense in 2025. So, we want stakeholders to find an answer through political dialogues. The AA has demanded recognition of state actors from non-state actors. While the AA has captured nearly the whole Rakhine State, the Myanmar Tatmadaw needs to carry out how to negotiate. How are managements being made in the towns captured by EAOs? Is the Myanmar Tatmadaw launching air strikes like this? If so, the country won't be peaceful. So, we want stakeholders to hold political dialogues as soon as possible. We want the SAC to release political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. And the economy of the country has reached the lowest level." he said.

Domestic armed conflicts are getting worse and there have been over three million IDPs in Myanmar. 

It was necessary to solve it politically, said the UNHCR on 31st December 2024.

CNI News

3 January 2025

The news that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi probably will be released on 4th January (the Independence Day) was coming out and regarding that, there are considerations and opinions among political and military analysts whether she will be released or not. 

If DASSK was released, opportunities for national reconciliation could come out, U Khun Sai, a person taking part in the peace process, told CNI News.

" I always pray for Daw Suu's speedy release. If she was released, pressures on the C in C could be reduced. Secondly, opportunities for national reconciliation could come out. Battles can be reduced to an extent. The public will feel relieved as well. So, if possible, we'll have to welcome her release." he said.

International community should put pressure on the SAC effectively for the release of all political prisoners including DASSK and U Win Myint, requested the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) on 1st January.

In September, the Pope called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and Aung San Suu Kyi has also been offered refuge in the Vatican.

As DASSK who had been detained was important to the national reconciliation, Singaporean FM demanded to release DASSK immediately at the end of the formal discussion held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

The chairman of the SAC was decisive regarding DASSK; if she was released, he was worried that the public would be more active. 

So, she didn't think he would release DASSK, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar-China affairs commentator, told CNI News.

" Some people say that (Sr-Gen) Min Aung Hlaing is too decisive. Rumor has it that DASSK will be released, which I think it's a new broadcast from the military council. It might relax the public anger. Because the Myanmar Tatmadaw is losing in a big way, there is also discontent within the Tatmadaw. I think it's news that relieves some of the pressure. I don't think she will be released because DASSK might not say what the military council likes. And the military council might be worried that the public will be more active if DASSK is released." she said.

DASSK has been detained since 1st February 2021 and she has been sentenced to 33 years in prison on 19 counts. 

She was given a six-year pardon on 1st August. 

Sh De is currently serving a total of 27 years in prison for the remaining 14 counts. 

DASSK will be 80 years old in June.