CNI News

21 Oct 2022

There are concerns that the armed conflicts to topple the military will lead to the disintegration of the country in the absence of the Tatmadaw.

The military has been ruling the country by ousting the National League for Democracy Government after declaring a state of emergency.

Since then, the democratic revolution has been raging to overthrow the military.

With many armed organizations and separatists, a question arises in the political circle if the country will disintegrate when the Tatmadaw collapses.

If the Myanmar military was in a chao, the country would suffer and the transformation to the federal union can be implemented through the proper system, an EAO leader Col Khun Okkar told the CNI.

Pro-democracy protestors. (Frontier Myanmar)

He said, “There is a difference between the chaotic collapse of the army and systematic security reform to transform it into a federal army. From the point of view of the military, they might think the Tatmadaw has collapsed. However, the country will not face negative consequences if systematic transformation can be carried out. In some countries, the military changed into mafia gangs when dictators fell. The best way is the security sector integration and reform to transform the Tatmadaw into a federal army.”

Myanmar is facing domestic and foreign threats and it is vulnerable to collapse without the Tatmadaw, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Strategic Studies told the CNI.

The NUG-PDF troops fighting for democracy.

He told the CNI, “Our country is under domestic and foreign threats at present. At home, we are involved in armed conflicts. At the same time, there are serious foreign threats. It is facing indirect foreign threats. The Tatmadaw is facing domestic and foreign threats. When a civilian government rules the country, it is weak because it lacks a security perspective. So, it is burdensome for the Tatmadaw. Only the Tatmadaw can bear the brunt of the consequences. Without it, the country is vulnerable to disintegration.”

Every country needs an army to defend it but the current army does not bode well for the country, Comrade Aye Lwin of the ABSDF told the CNI.

He said, “In my opinion, it is important for a country to have an army to defend it and its people. However, an army built by a dictator cannot contribute to the country. Security sector reform and reintegration are essential. We really need a federal army to defend the federal union. We do not need an army built by a dictator.

 Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and leaders of the UWSA, the NDAA and the SSPP 

Armed conflicts have erupted between the Tatmadaw and joint forces of some ethnic armed organizations and the people’s defence forces in Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Chin State, Karen State and Kayah State.

On the other hand, some EAOs and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing are holding peace talks and discussing disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and security sector reform.

CNI News

21 Oct 2022

Although it is the dry season teeming with festivals and charities, the Myanmar traditional Pathein umbrella market is as dead as a doornail, according to manufacturers of the traditional product.

The industry is mainly based in Pathein town in Ayeyarwady Region.

Ma Kyu Kyu Aye of the Thitsar Traiditional Pathein Umbrella Production told the CNI, “In the past, we received a lot of orders at this time of the year because there were many charity ceremonies. Now, as the situation of the country is unpredictable, no one has placed orders for us. We have to reduce the number of workers from ten to three. They placed orders at big businesses.”

The traditional Pathein traditional umbrellas are used in Kathina processions, religious festivals, novicehood ceremonies and ordinations as well as decoration in hotels and restaurants.

An umbrella decoration near the Sule Pagoda.

Due to current economic crisis and instabilities in some regions, there were fewer pagoda festivals but the industry had to rely on Kathina robe offering ceremonies, Daw Ni Ni Tun of the Nay Nat Thar told the CNI.

She told the CNI, “At present, the Pathein umbrella industry has to rely on Kathina robe offering ceremonies as there were no pagoda festivals across the country. In the past, we could sell umbrellas to pagoda festivals. The market is very unpredictable.”

Pathein traditional umbrellas are popular among the travellers in Mandalay, Yangon, Bagan, Nyaung-U and Mawlamyine.

Due to the economic slowdown and political crisis, the traditional Pathein umbrella industry has been suffering from the shrinking market and workers are being laid off.

CNI News

20 Oct 2022

Anchoring on self-interests of individual groups will shrink the Spring Revolution and hamper a strong public revolution, Acting President Duwa La Shila of the National Unity Government said.

The acting president made the remarks at the NUG meeting on 19th October.

The acting president said, “Our revolutionary spirit must overcome factionalism and personal prejudices. It is also necessary to avoid seeking short-term interests in relations in the coalition. Anchoring on self-interests of individual groups will shrink the Spring Revolution and hamper it from becoming a strong people’s revolution. I would like to urge all to strengthen the coalition with farsightedness and high moral grounds.”

An NUG meeting.

Then, he warned of building a coalition with narrow views and approaches.

The acting president said, “The main focus of today’s meeting is relations in the coalition. It is evident to all that the Spring Revolution of Myanmar is being launched based not on the policies of individual organizations but on the policies of all of them. We must uphold inclusive policies and practically cooperate unitedly to strengthen the coalition and carry out the activities of the coalition.”

There are weaknesses in the coalition relations and approaches of the NUG over the partnership with EAOs, General Secretary Brig-Gen Tar Phone Kyaw of the TNLA said in an interview with Myanmar Now.

CNI News

20 Oct 2022

As the security has been tightened due to the explosion near the No (1) Friendship Bridge at the border between Myawady and Mae Sot, Myanmar migrant workers have faced more difficulties, labour activists for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand told the CNI.

An explosion rocked the area surrounding the Myawaddy-Mae Sok No (1) Friendship Bridge on 15th October.

As the security has been tightened due to the explosion, Myanmar migrant workers who want to sneak into Thailand and those who want to illegally return to Myanmar have faced difficulties, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.
He said, “To put it simply, they have to return to Myanmar illegally by whatever means available for them. If the bridge and border gates are open, they go back to their country easily. However, Myawady is frequently hit by explosions. Although they are fighting the junta, it causes difficulties for migrant workers to return home or their returns are delayed. There are many armed groups in Karen State. The military will tighten the security when explosions hit Myawady. Thai authorities will also tighten the security. So, more migrant workers will be arrested due to increased security.”

   People travelling at Thai-Myanmar Border. (AP)

The bridge has been closed since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The reopening of the bridge has been further delayed due to political crises in Myanmar and Myanmar migrant workers who want to return home have to illegally cross the Taungyin River to sneak back into their own country.

Such explosions also threaten the lives of Myanmar migrant workers who want to return home via illegal routes, Labour Activist U Ba Yee from the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI.

He said, “It is more difficult for Myanmar migrant workers to travel back to Myanmar as the bridge has already been closed even before such explosions, which also pose a threat to lives of Myanmar migrant workers who want to return to Myanmar. We are afraid that battles will erupt when we have to go to Myawady. Current circumstances pose a threat to migrant workers who want to return home.”

 Damage caused by an explosion at the Myawaddy-Mae Sot No (1) Friendship Bridge on 15th October, 2022.

The explosions will further delay the reopening of the bridge, according to labour activists in Thailand.

Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI, “I think the situation of our country will continue to deteriorate and the revolution will be delayed. As the elected government of the people cannot still effectively control the country, the people will suffer more troubles. As I support the elected government, it would like to urge it to do more to help the people. The elected government should do more to help Myanmar people in Thailand as soon as possible.”

There are millions of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand and illegal migrants are facing the arrests of Thai authorities.

More arrests are likely to be made at the end of the year, according to labour activists.

CNI News

19 Oct 2022

Myanmar has been exporting between 20 to 30 truckloads of rice and broken rice to China every day, according to Muse Rice Commodity Exchange.

As it is the beginning of the dry season and new paddy is being harvested, rice exports have increased, Vice Chairman U Min Thein of the Muse Rice Commodity Exchange told the CNI.

“Paddy is harvested in all regions in the lower Myanmar and other various parts of the country after the Thadingyut Festival. Trading activities in China have also returned to normal. So, more rice and broken rice have been exported to China than before the festival since 10th October. About 1,000 bags of rice and broken rice or between 20 and 30 truckloads (50 tons) of rice is exported to China every day. A bag of broken rice fetches Yuan 120 and a bag of rice stands between Yuan 140 to 150. It is profitable for us because we can export rice to China when the crop is harvested in Myanmar,” he told the CNI.

Before the festival, Myanmar could export only about five to ten truckloads of rice to China.

Rice prices normally fall when paddy is harvested but this year, rice prices have not dropped as the plans are underway to export 200,000 tons of rice to Bangladesh, U Min Thein added.

 Rice trading. (CNI)

“Normally, rice prices fall back when new paddy is harvested but rice prices are stable this year because plans are underway to export 200,000 tons of rice to Bangladesh. It will be profitable for farmers. We have to buy rice at MMK 45,000 per bag while broken rice is purchased at MMK 40,000 per bag,” he told the CNI.

As the prices of export rice such as 90-day variety and Emata 25-mark variety do not fall back, those of Paw San Hmwe variety have not dropped, according to rice merchants.

Although paddy from Ayeyarwady is being harvested, the most popular rice for local consumption like Shwebo Pawhsanhmwe has not been harvested, Ko Shine Win Latt of Shwebo Paw San Hmwe told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “Shwebo Pawhsanhmwe has not been harvested. So, prices for Ayeyarwady and Shwebo Pawhsanhmwe have not fallen.”

Rice from Ayeyarwady Region is being transported to Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange daily but officials from the commodity exchange refused to disclose the volume.

The total acreage of paddy dropped last year due to rising prices of inputs such as fertilizers and fuel as well as instabilities in some areas.

CNI News

19 Oct 2022

As Malaysian authorities are intensifying the arrests of illegal migrant workers due to political rivalries and the upcoming election, Myanmar migrant workers are facing hardship in the country, Myanmar communities told the CNI.

General Secretary of an association offering assistance for Myanmar migrant workers in Malaysia said, “Authorities are currently targeting factories and workers have to live carefully. However, illegal workers are required to take them into account because they have to work for their living. Those who are working legally in Malaysia do not need to worry about such problems.”

Myanmar workers in Malaysia have difficulty receiving treatments in hospital and clinicsin the country even in normal period and it is more difficult for them to do so as the situation is deteriorating, he said.

As the arrests were intensified, some organization which were helping Myanmar workers suspended their operations, forcing Myanmar workers to suffer problems, Steven of the Alliance of Chin Refugees (ACR) told the CNI.

He said, “There are ethnic communities in Malaysia. If someone from a community is detained, the relevant community or the government warn them of the danger. All refugees in Malaysia are required to be under the protection of the UNHCR.

When political changes take place, Malay authorities detain illegal migrant workers and receive billions in fines, U Chit Kaung told the CNI.

When the illegal workers are granted permits to work in Malaysia, each of them have to pay about 2,800 Ringgits.

CNI News

19 Oct 2022

Medicine prices including the non-prescribed and prescribed medicines including for those with diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases have dropped slightly, according to pharmacies.

Prices of medicines dropped by 10 percent when they are purchased from medicine companies, a manager of a medicine wholesaler Shwe Mingalar Market in Mingalar Taungnyunt Township told the CNI.

He said, “Medicine prices have dropped. Medicine companies have lowered the prices by about 10 percent.”

Myanmar imports almost half of its medicine needs from other countries and has to pay in US dollars in US dollars. As a result, medicine prices rise exorbitantly, according to medicine merchants.

People buying medicines.

Although medicine prices have dropped, some people who stored a large amount of medicines have stopped buying medicines, according to Daw Wut Ye Thwe, a shop owner from Shwe Pyae Sone Market, told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “Prices have dropped slightly but they rose by 60 percent from their normal prices. However, the medicine prices do not fall back to the previous levels. As the prices are falling, no one is interested in storing medicines. S0k the sales have dropped.”

Medicine retailers are trying to sell their medicine as soon as possible but buyers are still waiting for further drops.

However, buyers still have to purchase medicines at higher prices and prices vary from pharmacy to pharmacy.

CNI News

19 Oct 2022

Establishing a court by the National Unity Government in Katha Township in Sagaing Region is likely to aim at building public confidence, Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

The court was established in a liberated area to remedy the collapsed judicial system, he added.

He told the CNI, “Katha Township Court (of the junta) may be running as usual but the court of the NUG has been established for people in the liberated area. It is hearing the civil cases as well as drug trafficking cases. The NUG is building the public confidence. It is building public trust on the judicial system because the country has become a failed state. I think the court moves to other places when the military troops come to them.”

  The court building in Katha Township.

The court has been established in accordance with the policies of the NUG to implement administrative, judicial, health and education in the interests of the local people under the control of the PDG, a spokesperson for the PDF told the RFA.

A Katha resident told the CNI that he learnt of the establishment of the court on social media and it was likely that the court was established in villages under the control of the PDF.

He said, “I don’t go out and I don’t know anything. It is peaceful at my place. I don’t go outside the town. They may establish the court outside the town. I don’t know exactly. It is a heresy.”

The archway to Katha.

The NUG has established prisons and detention centres, U Kyee Myint said.

Armed clashes erupted in Katha Township between the military and the joint force of the KIA and PDF after the military staged a coup against the NLD government on 1st February, 2021.

CNI News

18 Oct 2022

It is impossible to arrange package tours to conflict areas including Sagaing Region, Kayah State and northern Rakhine State due to instabilities there, according to tourism entrepreneurs and tour agencies.

Tours cannot be arranged to the areas due to ongoing armed conflicts, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

He said, “As far as I know, we cannot arrange tours to Chin and Kayah states. In Rakhine State, tourists can travel to the Ngapali Beach but they cannot visit northern Rakhine State. However, no relevant ministry has officially banned trips to such areas. We have suspended such tours by ourselves.”

It was reported that travelling has been banned in Sagaing Region, Kayah State, Chin State and northern Rakhine State but the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has not officially announced the travel bans.

  Foreign and domestic tourists.

It is expected that tourists from Thailand and Russia will visit Myanmar this year and Thai tourists started arriving in Myanmar but arrivals have halted due to delays at checkpoints and shoot-out at the Kyaiktiyo on 12th October, U Naung Naung Han told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “Foreign tourists are preparing to travel as international flights have resumed. Tourists from Thailand began to travel to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. However, their first trip was delayed for four or five hours at a checkpoint between the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda and Mottama Bridge. So, fewer Thai tourists come to Myanmar. Arrivals from Thailand have halted since the shoot-out.”

The Ministry of Immigration and Man Power is processing online applications of tourist visas and business visas from Russia and eight ASEAN countries except Malaysia.

 The NUG and the PDF.

Foreign tourists are required to seek approvals for destinations, accommodations, times and purposes from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism 10 days ahead of their visits, Managing Director U Thet Lwin Toe of Myanmar Voyages International Tourism told the CNI.
He said, “Tourists can travel to Mandalay, PyinOoLwin and Kalaw but they should not go to areas on the western bank of the Ayeyarwady River in Sagaing Region. Even in Mandalay, which is relatively safe for them, they will have to take care of themselves. This is also the case in Yangon. So, we have been very careful with travel arrangements and have to seek approvals for every detail of tourists from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism ten days ahead of their arrivals. In the past, we were not required to do so.”

The tourism sector of Myanmar has suffered the impacts of COVID-19 since 2019 and again disrupted by political developments in 2021.

The sector is still affected by the current crises and tourism is unlikely to recover as long as conflicts in some areas, according to tour operators.