CNI News

20 August 2024

There are discussions regarding how to resolve the Myanmar political crisis among political and military circles while armed conflict within Myanmar is expanding.

Transportation and commercial activities cannot be carried out widely because of battles while a lot of border trade have been suspended. 

If the conflict could not be reduced, the people might face worse crisis and it might be difficult to reconstruct the country, Col. Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News.

" Only when there is a political dialogue, will there be good politics. So, those who are fighting need to take part in discussion. And a political agreement is needed as well so that battles can be reduced and reconstruction can be started. But nothing can be done at the moment. It seems to be even worse if any change cannot be made. When one side threatens, the other bombs. So, the people may suffer trouble more. And the reconstruction can be more difficult as well. Everything is related to each other." he said.

Stability depended on armed groups' desire, a Kachin politician U Kwan Gawn Awng Hkam told CNI News. 

While seeing armed groups

" It's difficult to review what to do in the situation like this. It will depend on the desires of armed groups to be stable." he said.

Although armed conflicts have been taking place for over 70 years since Myanmar gained her independence in 1948, they have not been resolved up to now. 

Because of political disagreements that started on 1st February, 2021, battles broke out across the country and the battles reached the mainland where there were no battles in the past.

Because of battles, all the sectors of the country such as politics, economy, health, education, trade and so on are deteriorating and the people are facing higher prices, monetary inflation, insecurity and scarcity of job opportunity.

Some of EAOs and political parties, the ASEAN and some international organizations are making attempts to resolve the domestic conflict. But it has not been resolved as yet.

On the other hand, armed groups involved in the armed conflict are very keen on winning the battle decisively, reviewed the political circles.

CNI News
19 August 2024

The Public Security and Anti-Terrorism Supervisory Committee has been formed, reported the State Administration Council on 16th August, 2024.

The committee was made up of 14 members. The Union Minister for Border Affairs will take responsibility as the chairman and Deputy Union Minister for Defense, as vice chairman (1) and the Deputer Union Minister for Home Affairs, as vice chairman (2).

The members are Deputy Adjutant General, Deputy Quartermaster General, Deputy Commanders of Military Commands, border affairs and security ministers from States and Regions, Director General of the People's Police Force, head of the Myanmar Veterans Association, General Staff Colonel from the Department of Planning and Duty, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Militia and Frontier Forces, Deputy Director General of the General Administration Department, and Deputy Director General of the Fire Department. The chairman will choose and assign someone as the secretary.

CNI News
19 August 2024

Fuel black market became bigger in Yangon and the price reached 9,000 kyats per liter, sidecar motorcycle drivers told CNI News.

Sidecar motorcycle drivers could find time to queue up to buy fuel oil like other people and they depend on fuel from the black market. 

Some sidecar motorcycle drivers have reportedly suspended their work due to fuel shortage.

Because the price of fuel oil from the black market is three times more expensive than fuel stations, sidecar motorcycle drivers were finding it difficult, said a sidecar rental driver.

While motorcars are being queued to buy fuel oil

" It was easy to buy fuel at the fuel station in the past. It saved time. It was convenient for us because we had passengers to carry. But now because motorcar drivers have to queue up for a long time, it takes you a long time and you are tired. So, we have to buy fuel oil from the black market. The price of fuel oil is about 9,000 kyats per liter in the black market." he said to CNI News.

Fuel smugglers reportedly cooperate with private fuel station managers and are buying fuel and sell the fuel in the black market. 

Moreover, some of the motorcars that are lining up reportedly intend to sell the fuel oil in the black market. Some people were queuing to sell fuel oil in the black market without doing their daily work, said a resident of Yangon.

" Some people are waiting in line to buy and sell fuel oil as a business without doing any other work. They sell the fuel at the price three times more expensive than the fuel stations. Fuel station managers conspire with smugglers." he said to CNI News. 

While motorcars are being queued to buy fuel oil

Because of fuel shortage, private fuel stations sell the fuel only for a minimum of 30,000 to a maximum of 50,000.

The fuel shortage is happening badly all over the country. The Central Bank of Myanmar had planned to sell 100 million US dollars to fuel entrepreneurs, it reported on 14th August.

The Supervisory Committee on Import, Storage and Distribution of Fuel Oil would verify and carry out about it and licensed fuel oil importers must submit their demand at the terminals and fuel oil must be carried to the fuel stations as soon as possible, stated the State Administration Council.

CNI News
18 August 2024

Because speculations that President U Thein Sein (Retired) might participate in the interim government next year are emerging, businessmen who became much richer from economic recession are worried to become so, pointed out economic analysts.

After Sr-Gen Than Shwe (retired) handed over the State power to the government led by U Thein Sein, U Thein Sein opened all the economic opportunities and the economy improved as well.

Businessmen who have become more prosperous from taking advantage of economic recession (so-called cronies) are worried that U Thein Sein will participate in the current politics.

" Under the government led by U Thein Sein, there was no policy control. He opened all the economic opportunities. Those who are benefiting from the situation in which economic opportunities have been closed will be afraid of opening. When U Thein Sein came to power, because the military rule was changed into democracy, the international community accepted and welcomed as well as people local and abroad supported." said an economic analyst to CNI News.

While President U Thein Sein (retired) was on the way to China

Because President U Thein Sein (retired) changed from a centralized system to a democratic system, his government won the support from local and abroad. However, the current situation of Myanmar has gone back to a centralized system, the two situations were different.

When Sr-Gen Than Shwe handed over the State power to U Thein Sein, the political situation was stable and foreign investments entered. Moreover, exchange rates, commodity prices, prices of cars and SIM cards fell.

 In the same way, because the then-government was able to make importers import products and foodstuffs from abroad easily, the people were able to buy them at lower prices.

While President U Thein Sein (retired) was meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping

Because the current political situation is unstable, it is hard to say whether U Thein Sein will take responsibility in the government, said political analysts.

When the country was under the government led by U Thein Sein, although prices fell, in comparison with the global market, prices really did not fall, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

" Prices must be right. If prices are not reasonable, it's not the market economy. For example, prices of cars - the price of a Harrier car was 240 lakh kyats at that time, but its price was only 150 lakh kyats" he said.

President U Thein Sein (retired) had good relations with foreign countries including China and recently, he went to China at the invitation of China and met with Chinese FM Mr.

Wang Yi, member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and member of the Politburo of the Communist Party. During his trip, he shook hands with the Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In solving the current Myanmar's political crisis, the Chinese government wanted to form a transitional government led by U Thein Sein and to hold a general election, said domestic political analysts.

CNI News
18 August 2024

Myanmar Tatmadaw was the foundation of the Myanmar's peace and stability, said the Chinese FM Mr. Wang Yi on 14th August. He said the above when he was meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC).

" The Myanmar Tatmadaw is the foundation of the Myanmar's peace and stability and the most important element that protect and maintain the China-Myanmar relation. It kept mutual trust, advocacy and friendship. Under the leadership of chairman, the Myanmar Tatmadaw play an important role in the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. We would like to praise for that." said Wang Yi.

Because armed conflicts are breaking out across the country, the number of people who fled their homes has been over one million. The TNLA, the MNDAA, the AA, the BPLA, the KNDF, the BNRA, the PLA, the MDY-PDF and local PDFs launched Operation-1027 on 27th October, 2023 and captured many townships in northern Shan State.

While seeing the MNDAA force

And then, they started second part of Operation-1027 on 25th June, 2024 and because these armed groups are trying to capture townships in Mandalay Region, battles are severely breaking out.

Behind the armed groups' operations, China was supporting the armed groups; although China knew Operation-1027 in advance, it didn't inform the Myanmar Tatmadaw. so, China was unscrupulous, pointed out supporters of the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

" We, two countries, are neighbors and good friends. The two countries designated as strategic partner countries in the past and during the Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip to Myanmar in 2020, both countries have built a society together to share the same future in accord with the five-point principles of peaceful co-existence. The present meeting will help promote friendly relations and further cooperation between the two countries, I believe." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

After that, China opposed the attacks on towns and villages by EAOs in northern Shan State, would provide assistance to the election held by the SAC and conducting the census-taking.

Moreover, China “opposes chaos and war in Myanmar, interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs by extra-territorial forces and any attempts to drive a wedge between China and Myanmar and smear China, said Wang Yi.

CNI News
18 August 2024

Political parties which criticize or point out the State Administration Council (SAC) were refused to register, chairman of the Arakan National Party (ANP) U Thar Tun Hla told CNI News.

Because the ANP went against the Section-7 of the political parties registration law, the ANP's application to be registered had been refused, released the Union Election Commission (UEC) on 1st July.

According to a certain existing law, an organization that has been declared an unlawful association or an organization that is attacking the state with armed forces, or organizations that encourage or support an organization or individuals designated by the state as committing terrorist acts have no rights to register.

" I think the UEC is showing its attitude only parties that support the SAC are allowed to register. The parties that criticize the SAC are refused." said U Thar Tun Hla to CNI News.

The UEC released the political parties re-registration law and bylaws on 31st January 2023 and asked the political parties to register again within 60 days.

Because Myanmar is a State of Union, all ethnic groups have the right to participate in politics and it was necessary to allow political parties to register, spokesperson of the Mon Unity Party (MUP) Naing Than Shwe told CNI News.

" It's necessary to allow remaining parties to register because our country is a State of Union in which a variety of ethnic groups live. So, they have rights to participate in politics." he said.

The MUP has been refused to register although it has applied for registration for over one year. Moreover, the Zomi Congress for Democracy (ZCD) and the Arakan National Party (ANP) including some other parties have been refused to register.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC, said that census-taking would be conducted this year and a general election would be held in 2025.

CNI News
17 August 2024

After Thai PM Srettha was removed from office, processes regarding migrant workers could be delayed, those who are carrying out for the labor issues, told CNI News.

The Thai Constitutional Court decided to remove Thai PM Srettha from office on 14th August and because Srettha is from the Pheu Thai party, new PM would probably be elected from that party.

Although policies regarding migrant workers could not change, delays could become, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Rights Foundation told CNI News.

" The Thai government has announced that it will issue residence and work permits to the migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. But after the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs consult, the date which the process will be started will be announced. But as the abrupt changes like this have emerged, we will have to wait until the new government has been formed already. So, it has been a bit of hindrance for the migrant workers who are waiting to get residence and work permits. They probably will wait for long." he said.

While Thai PM Srettha who was removed from office

Because PM Sretthan appointed Mr. Pichit who was involved in a bribery scandal and sentence to six months in jail in 2008 to a position in the government, the court decided that Srethha violated ethics. In voting to remove Srettha from office, among the five votes, four votes agreed to remove Srettha from office.

Some are reviewing that a crisis will probably emerge in the Thai politics. However, if a new PM was elected from another party, not from Pheu Thai, changes could emerge, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development, U Min Oo told CNI News.

" If someone from Srettha's party was elected new PM, the party's policy has been laid down. New PM will go on with the party's policy. Otherwise, if someone from another party was elected, changes can arise." he said.

The Pheu Thai party made commitments regarding migrant workers since the campaign period and basic salary was raised until 400 Baht and plans to issue residence and work permits had been made under the Thai government led by Srettha.

Moreover, the Thai Constitution Court decided to disband the Move Forward Party (MFP) and Party leaders were also banned from politics for 10 years.

CNI News
17 August 2024

Because it is difficult to buy fuel in Taungoo Township, Bago Region, social assistance associations are finding it difficult to work and they reportedly could suspend their activities.

People have to buy fuel on a limited basis at the fuel stations and small roadside fuel shops in Taungoo. Because of being unable to buy enough fuel and high prices, it became difficult to carry patients, said an official from Taungoo-based Pyit Taing Daung Social Assistance Association.

" As long as we have fuel in our cars, we'll continue to do our work. When we don't get fuel any more, all the associations will hold a meeting and have to decide what we should do." he said to CNI News.

Due to fuel shortage, social assistance associations have to be coordinating among them, said an official from Taungoo-based Pyit Taing Daung Social Assistance Association.

" Our associations connect and carry out. That is to say, if our association has run out of fuel, we ask another association that has fuel for help so that we can carry patients." he said.

As most social associations are carrying emergency patients free of charge, if those who are responsible for patients pay for fuel or donors donate money, social assistance associations could exist any more, he said.

" If a patient was poor, we would carry the patient free of charge. If a patient can afford it, they pay for the fuel." he said to CNI News.

Due to fuel shortage in Taungoo Township, small businesses are finding it difficult and locals are also inconvenienced, said a battery hirer from Taungoo.
" As my business is battery hiring, we have to mainly depend on electricity. We can hire batteries only when the electricity is available. If the power fails, we don't have any fuel to start the generator." he said.

The price of 92 gasoline is 4,000 kyats per liter and the price of 95 gasoline, 4,500 kyats per liter in Taungoo at present.

Most gas stations have been closed until the morning of 15th August due to fuel shortage in the fuel stations and it is reportedly not easy to buy fuel even at the small roadside fuel shops.

CNI News

17 August 2024

Because it is difficult to buy fuel in Taungoo Township, Bago Region, social assistance associations are finding it difficult to work and they reportedly could suspend their activities. 

People have to buy fuel on a limited basis at the fuel stations and small roadside fuel shops in Taungoo. Because of being unable to buy enough fuel and high prices, it became difficult to carry patients, said an official from Taungoo-based Pyit Taing Daung Social Assistance Association.

" As long as we have fuel in our cars, we'll continue to do our work. When we don't get fuel any more, all the associations will hold a meeting and have to decide what we should do." he said to CNI News.

Due to fuel shortage, social assistance associations have to be coordinating among them, said an official from Taungoo-based Pyit Taing Daung Social Assistance Association.

While seeing a fuel station in Yangon

" Our associations connect and carry out. That is to say, if our association has run out of fuel, we ask another association that has fuel for help so that we can carry patients." he said.

As most social associations are carrying emergency patients free of charge, if those who are responsible for patients pay for fuel or donors donate money, social assistance associations could exist any more, he said.

" If a patient was poor, we would carry the patient free of charge. If a patient can afford it, they pay for the fuel." he said to CNI News.

Due to fuel shortage in Taungoo Township, small businesses are finding it difficult and locals are also inconvenienced, said a battery hirer from Taungoo.

" As my business is battery hiring, we have to mainly depend on electricity. We can hire batteries only when the electricity is available. If the power fails, we don't have any fuel to start the generator." he said.

The price of 92 gasoline is 4,000 kyats per liter and the price of 95 gasoline, 4,500 kyats per liter in Taungoo at present. 

Most gas stations have been closed until the morning of 15th August due to fuel shortage in the fuel stations and it is reportedly not easy to buy fuel even at the small roadside fuel shops.