CNI News

28 July 2022

As foreign currencies are appreciating against MMK, overseas workers are incurring higher costs, employment agencies told the CNI.

Employment agencies said that oversea workers who previously had to pay MMK 5 million service fees to work in Japan now incur MMK 8 million while service fees for those who go to Malaysia have risen by MMK 600,000.

Director Ko Nay Oo Ko of Naytic Asia, an employment agency sending workers abroad, told the CNI, “We have to buy air tickets in US$ at market exchange rates. Japanese companies pay ticket fees for trainees, but they transfer the money through banks, which convert foreign currencies into MMK at official exchange rates. So, trainees receive ticket fees in MMK. However, when they buy tickets, they have to pay in US$. As a result, they have to buy US$ at market rates of MMK 2,500. So, it is a burden for trainees. We don’t know what will happen in the future.”

As a result, employment agencies have to lower service fees for workers.

Although the Central Bank of Myanmar set the official exchange rate at K 1,850 per dollar, market exchange rates have risen to as much as MMK 2,500 per dollar recently while that of Baht and Yen have reached MMK 70 per Baht and MMK 18 per Yen.

As overseas workers have to pay an amount of MMK equivalent to service fees set in foreign currencies to agencies, they suffer losses due to appreciation of foreign currencies, Ko Naing, who is trying to work abroad, told the CNI.

“The main problem is the depreciation of MMK, as we have to pay service fees set in foreign currencies. Agencies accept service fees not at official exchange rates but at market exchange rates. So, the lower the MMK drops, the higher the fees they have to pay. In the past, we needed to pay on MMK 2 million at the market exchange rate of MMK 2,000 per US$ but we will have to pay MMK 2.5 as the market exchange rate has gone up to MMK 2,500 per US$,” he explained.

Since workers who signed contracts previously will pay service fees at the market exchange rates of the time but rates have gone up, agencies are suffering losses, Ko Nway Ko Ko Lin of Pwint Phu Aung Agency told the CNI.

Agencies have to buy US$ at the market exchange rates, which are changing from time to time and it is difficult to set the service fees exactly, he added.

Ko Nway Ko Ko Lin told the CNI, “A few days ago, I signed contracts with workers who will go to Malaysia. The market exchange rate at that time was just above MMK 2,200 per US$. So, I told them I would take service fees in MMK equivalent to US$ 850 approved by the government for each of them at the market exchange rate of MMK 2,300 per US$ and would reimburse what was more than the rate. However, the rates rose to MMK 2,480 per US$ within half an hour. So, I had to tell the service feed to them again. We face a lot of such problems.”

Although workers cost a lot of money to work abroad, salaries they get abroad are very high in terms of MMK and they might be profitable, Director Ko Nay Oo Ko of Naytic Asia Agency told the CNI.

“They may incur higher costs at the beginning and will have to pay MMK 7 or 8 million service fees instead of only MMK 5 million in the past. However, when they work in Japan, they will earn in foreign currencies and they will be able to cover the costs within three or four months. As they earn in foreign currencies, MMK is depreciating and they will get a larger amount when their foreign currencies are converted into MMK. When they send Y 100,000 back home in the past, their families get MMK 1.2 million or MMK 1.3 million. Now, they will get MMK 1.7 million when they send Y 100,000. So, they can get a lot of money,” he said.

Due to the current political situation, shortages of jobs and high commodity prices, a lot of people are trying to work abroad despite high costs, according to overseas employment agencies.

CNI News

28 July 2022

Plans are underway to implement agri-based tourism in townships surrounding Yanong in the upcoming dry season, according to Myanmar Tourism Association.

Tour destinations will be implemented in organic plantations and paddy fields in townships on the othe bank of Yangon including Twantay, Kawhmu, Thanlyin, Taikkyi and Hmawbi, Chairman of Myanmar Tour Operators Associations U Naung Naung Han told the CNI.

“As it is agricultural tourism, the projects are mainly implemented in rice cultivation areas like Twantay and Kawhmu and on the other bank of Yangon like model villages in Thanlyin and Kyauktan. Moreover, we have community-based tourism groups in such areas. They seem to carry out their duties. So, such groups are likely to emerge in Kyauktan. In Taikkyi and Hmawbi, there are shortcuts and plantations to implement agricultural tourism,” he said.

Agricultural tourism had been implemented before the pandemic but it has been hampered by the long pandemic and the political changes. Now efforts are being made to resume the projects.

Concerning the agro-based tourism to be carried out, tour operator U That Lwin Toe told the CNI, “It sounds very nice but I don’t know who will visit the sites. Tourists are very important for us.  People from our country also visit other countries. However, foreign tourists prioritize security. Furthermore, foreigners regard the areas as red alert ones. So, most shun our country because it is very difficult for local people to travel from one place to another.”

It was learnt that the tour program would be introduced in the dry season in October.

The MTEA is conducting data collection with plantation owners and has started negotiations with them.

Agro-based tourism is being implemented in PyinOoLwin and Shan State and can attract domestic foreign tourists, it was learnt.

CNI News

28 July 2022

According to their recent statement, federal democratic forces seemed to drop the peace process from their priorities, Col Khun Okkar, an ethnic leader, told the CNI.

Federal democratic forces issued a statement on 26 July, saying that the executions of Ko Jimmy, Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw, Ko Hla Myo Aung and Ko Aung Thura Zaw were not in accordance with the law and rules and regulations, and the executions should shed lights on the true nature of the SAC.

Col Khun Okkar told the CNI, “Some members of the democratic forces are signatories of the NCA but they do not give priority to the peace process. It seems that they are not thinking about solving political issues through political means.”

Federal democratic forces called for all political parties, revolutionary forces and ethnic groups at home and abroad to cooperate with them to topple the SAC.

The federal democratic forces comprised the National Unity Government (NUG), the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), the Chin National Front (CNF), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) and the National League for Democracy (NLD).

the statement issued by the federal democratic forces.

Under the current circumstances, 70 percent of the country could be damaged and it was necessary for anyone to rescue the country, Col Khun Okkar said.

He said, “If it is impossible to stop the situation, most of the country would be damaged. I think it is necessary for everyone to rescue the country and to build the union in the future. When the situation is tense, rival groups will fight each other but when the situation deteriorates, they might have second thoughts.”

Federal democratic forces announced that they would fight to end the military dictatorship by using any available means including political, military, diplomatic and administrative arenas together with the people.

Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun said at the 18th press conference of the SAC that  it was implementing the peace process and making efforts to hold dialogues for the second time

Some members of the federal democratic forces which called for the resistance against the SAC in political, military, diplomatic and administrative areans are signatories to the NCA including the KNU, the CNF and the ABSDF.

CNI News

27 July 2022

Contrary to recent news reports, rice millers in Ayeyarwady Region denied receiving advance payments from the Tatmadaw to sell their rice.

Hinthada District Rice Millers’ Association Chairman U Soe Myint told the CNI that they had not received rice orders or advance payments from the Tatmadaw and they did not have much monsoon paddy left in the district.

“We haven’t received any rice orders from the Tatmadaw. If the Tatmadaw purchases rice, it will place an order with Myanmar Rice Millers’ Association, which will inform regional associations of the order. We haven’t heard anything. The Tatmadaw didn't purchase rice from our district and we don’t usually have much monsoon paddy left by July or August. Some traders may have stored a little like the Sinthukha variety, whose prices have risen to about K 1 million per 100 baskets recently,” he said.

It was reported that the Tatmadaw had purchased all paddy in Ayeyawady Region by making advance payments and did not allow farmers and traders to sell their paddy to others.

Chairman U Thein Aung of the Association for Development of Farmers’ Livelihood told the CNI that the Tatmadaw used to purchase rice from Ayeyarwady Region in previous years but millers were allowed to decide whether they would sell their rice to the Tatmadaw or not and the Tatmadaw bought as much as it needed.

“The Tatmadaw purchased rice from Ayeyawady Region for its rations almost every year. It made advance payments to millers who wanted to sell rice to it. The Tatmadaw placed orders for certain amounts of rice from Ayeyarwady Region and made advance payments at fixed floor prices to millers who wanted to sell rice to it. That was its normal purchasing practice in previous years,” he explained.

Farmers incurred high cultivation costs this year due to rising prices of fertilizers and fuel oil.

In Ayeyarwady Region, it cost about K 450,000 to cultivate one acre of paddy, which yielded about 70 baskets.

Therefore, the basic reference price of paddy should be set at an amount that is profitable for farmers, U Thein Aung added.

“The basic floor price for paddy should be set at least at K 750,000 per 100 baskets so that farmers do not suffer losses. If the price is set at K 900,000 per 100 baskets, farmers will be able to enjoy profits. The floor price at K 750,000 is just enough to cover their costs,” he told the CNI.

As dollar exchange rates are rising against Kyat, traders are likely to offer high prices for paddy this year, according to rice traders and millers.

Ayeyarwady Region has the largest paddy cultivating acreage with highest yields in Myanmar.

CNI News

27 July 2022

The executions of four activists including Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw undermine political dialogues, Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt, a spokesperson for the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) told the CNI.

If the country was to move towards a democratic federal union, it was important to take the will of the people seriously, he said.

Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt said, “If the country aims to move forward to a democratic federal union, all democratic groups must first think of the people and take their feelings and will seriously. When it comes to federalism, we must be serious about self-determination called for by all ethnic groups. We need to take them seriously. In short, what happened recently will delay all-inclusive political dialogues to overcome the current political crisis to a certain extent. I will have to view like that.”

Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw.

SAC information ministry newspapers reported on 25 July that Ko Jimmy, Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw, Ko Hla Myo Aung and Ko Aung Thura Zaw were executed in accordance with the law.

The executions were condemned by civil societies, some political parties and armed organizations and international organizations.

RCSS Gen. Ywad Serk and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt said, “At present, the political situation is unpredictable and the PPST still upholds the approach to resolve issues through dialogues. However, there are many activists who have been sentenced to death and we know what the entire country is talking about them. When we are making efforts for peace in the entire country, we will have to prevent such undesirable incidents through dialogues and negotiations based on the will of the entire country and all stakeholders.”

The PPST was formed with seven ethnic armed organizations, which signed the NCA with the government.

The PPST and the SAC held negotiations from 22nd May to 7th July.

CNI News

26 July 2022

Rumours are being fabricated more frequently and floating rumours about Kyat and foreign currencies amounted to destruction of the economy of the country, Vice governor U Win Thaw of the Central Bank of Myanmar told the CNI.

Recently, negative comments about the CBM were frequently seen on social media, he said.

U Win Thaw said, “Recently, it was posted on social media that the government would forfeit K 10,000 notes. The public was worried about the notes and tried to buy dollars and gold. So, the prices of dollars and gold rose up and the economy was in chaos. Now, rumour has it that the government was planning to issue foreign exchange certificates and US dollars would be seized. So, people buy gold and land and the prices of gold and land go up. They are taking advantage of the weakness and worries of the public, who tend to believe unreliable news. This amounted to destroying the economy of the country and sabotaging the government.”

The aim of spreading rumours is to increase the prices of foreign currencies to promote self-interests, an economist told the CNI.

As rumours can create more or less consequences, it is necessary for relevant authorities to verify them as soon as possible. Otherwise, the public will have to suffer consequences, he added.

“This is because when a rumour has spread, merchants may raise prices or decide to hold on to their products. However, the general public may not think the same way as some rumours proved to be true later. For instance, when rumour has it that rice prices are going to rise, people buy rice and rice prices go up. So, rumours can create real effects, which in turn create rumours. It is very difficult for the general public to understand the real situation. So, it is the responsibility of authorities to explain the real situation to the general public. From the economic point of view, rumours must be checked by policies and reliable news,” he said.

He urged the public to think thoroughly before believing something as rumours can create fears and anxieties when a country is unstable.

Recently, rumours spread among the public that the government would forfeit all US dollars in the country and reintroduce the FEC system, which caused alarm among the people.

The CBM announced that it was just a rumour and they do not have such plans.

It was learnt that authorities and the Ministry of Home Affairs have acquired technologies to expose those who spread rumours and fake news and to take action against them.

CNI News

26 July 2022

The execution of Ko Jimmy, Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw, Ko Hla Myo Aung and Ko  Aung Thuya Zaw were carried out not for personal grudges but for committing killings and explosions, Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, the head of SAC information team, said.

Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun made the comment at the 18th press briefing of the SAC held in Nay Pyi Taw at 1 pm today (26th July).

Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun said, “To do justice for the people and the country, those who cruelly killed innocent people were sentenced to death by courts of laws at various levels on behalf of the victims by allowing them to defend themselves in accordance with law. Moreover, they were sentenced to death based on sound evidence. We knew that there would be criticisms and condemnations although the cases were handled in accordance with the law of the country. However, authorities had to carry out executions for stability, the rule of law and security of the country. They were executed not out of personal grudges as some people accused. They were executed in accordance with the law.”

Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw.

Ko Jimmy, Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw, Ko Hla Myo Aung and Ko Aung Thuya Zaw were arrested in October and November, 2021.

They were accused of killing administrators, teachers and civilions and launching attack against government buildings and security forces and sentenced to death under Section 49 (a), 50 (i) and 50 (j) of the Anti-terrorism Law on 21st January, 2022.

Paragraph 1019 of the Burma Jail Manual.

The SAC announced on 25th July, 2022 that the four had been executed in Insein Prison.

Local and international organizations condemned the decision.

Although their families asked authorities for their bodies, the families were not allowed to retrieve the bodies over worries about protests.

According to paragraph 660 of the Burma jail manual, the body shall remain suspended for half an hour and shall then be examined by the medical officer. It shall not be taken down until the medical officer declares life to be extinct. The bodies of the executed criminals shall be buried unless claimed by relatives or friends. When the body is claimed by relatives or friends and there are no special reasons for refusal (see paragraph 1019), it shall be carried outside the main gate and there delivered over to them.

Paragraph 1019 of the Burma Jail Manual.

Under paragraph 1019 of the jail manual, the body of any prisoner, who has died or who has been executed, in jail, shall be made over to the relatives or friends of the deceased, if claimed by them, unless there are special reason to the contrary, e.g , the prisoner is died of any infectious disease ,or, in the case of a prisoner who has been executed, if there are grounds for supposing that the prisoner’s funeral will be made the occasion for a demonstration.

CNI News

26 July 2022

A Rakhine youth accused of his fingerprints being found at the murder scene of a Thai citizen woudl stand trial without bail as he could not afford it, labour in charge Ko Thein Tun, a worker advocate from the MWRN who has been helping the accused in the case, told the CNI.

The young Rakhine man, who was one of some 400 workers trying to illegally enter Thailand to go work in Malaysia, has been accused of his fingerprints being found on the saron around the neck of the victim.

The young man stood trial on 18 July and other two witnesses, the police officer who handles the case and he were questioned by the court on 19 he is likely to be vindicated innocent, according to Ko Thein Tun.

“It is true that Aung Ko Win’s fingerprints were found at the scene but the police have already admitted that fingerprints alone cannot prove the crime. So, the case is tilting in our favour. We would have had the bail for him if we could afford it. It cost a lot of money to try to release him on bail and we decided to let him stand trial in custody. It is possible to try to release him on bail but we couldn’t afford the money. So, we discussed with his lawyers to let him stand trial from the police trial. He is likely to win the case but we cannot say exactly as the court hasn’t made its decision, but he is likely to win.”

Daw Than Kyi May, the mother of the accused, said that she was glad that her son was likely to be acquitted from the case and she wanted her son to be released as early as possible.

“Aung Ko Win cannot be accused of the murder because he didn’t do it. I know only that. The most important thing is his release. I believe that my son would not commit the crime. And there are many people who know that he was not involved in the crime. Moreover, he has denied that he was involved in the crime. It was a relief for me but I won’t be happy as long as he is in my house. I am waiting for his return,” she said.

A lawyer has been defending the accused at cheap fees while legal advisors as well as authorities are offering assistance, he is determined to stand with the accused until he is acquitted, said Ko Thein Tun.

However, he admitted that they need some money to help the accused in the case.

Ko Thein Tun said, “ We are moving towards the positive end. We hope that he will be OK. Our community is trying as much as we can as there are so many Myanmar migrant workers here. They lend as much assistance as they can. On 18th and 19th July, I went to meet with Aung Ko Win at the court. He felt very confident. He said that he wanted to be released as he had told the court that he was not involved in the case.”

The body of the victim was found on 31st March and Thai authorities detained 400 Myanmar migrant workers who were trying to cross the border to Malaysia.

Currently, some workers were repatriated except the young man whose fingerprints were found in the scene and eye-witnesses but a Chin ethnic, one of the detainees died of ill health in the custody.

CNI News

26 July 2022

Although Thailand has allowed Myanmar merchants to export corn to Thailand until the end of August under tax exemption, Myanmar merchants are unlikely to export all the remaining corn to Thailand within the exemption period as they still have huge volumes of corn in their hands, according to traders and exporters.

Due to shortages of trucks and high transportation charges, it was unlikely to export all the remaining corn stock to Thailand within one month, Ko Sai Kham of the Golden Sky Co., Ltd told the CNI.

He said, “ Currently, on one can export corn to Thailand. If they continue to store corn in warehouses, they will suffer losses. If they export corn to Thailand, they suffer losses, too. If they wait for the time they will be profitable, corn will be destroyed by pests. They are in a deadlock. Thailand will close border gates for corn on 31 August. We have only one month’s time to export corn to Thailand. Then, there will be no corn importers. Some exporters said they gained K 40,000 profit per bag while others said they get only K 5,000 to K 6,000 profit per bag. If we can export corn to Thailand, we are facing the problem of shortages of trucks and high transportation costs before the end of August.”

 A Border trade zone in the Myanmar-Thai border

It was learnt that world corn prices were falling.

Furthermore, merchants have stopped exporting corn to Thailand due to the advance payment system in US$ due to the exchange rate gap between the rate set by the CBM and the market. The exports of corn to Thailand are also delayed by export licenses and tax regimes.

At present, Myanmar merchants are exporting corn to Thailand at losses as they have signed supply contracts with their Thai counterparts, Secretary U Thant Zin Tun of the Myanmar Corn Industry Entrepreneurs Association said.

He told the CNI, “Some farmers are selling their corn they have stored. When they don’t have their corn stocks, prices tend to rise. So, some rich farmers are still storing their corn. However, the richer farmers and merchants who have stored corn suffer losses but they sell corn to their Thai counterparts as they have signed supply contracts. So, corn is still being export to Thailand.”

Drying Myanmar corn

Thailand allows its merchants to import corn from Myanmar free of taxes within the period from February to august. Previous years, corn stock in the hands of Myanmar merchants was not as much as this year and fetched higher prices. However, Myanmar merchants still have huge volumes of corn stocks in their hands and prices are falling.

As the volume of corn stocks in their hands is huge, farmers are beginning to worry about further falls in corn prices, farmer Ko Min Khaing told the CNI.

He said, “ We need to export all the corn to Thailand this year but merchants cannot sell at losses and have to store their stocks. When new corn is harvested, the situation will worsen. We are worried about the market,”

Corn export prices to Thailand dropped from US$ 360 per ton previous year to between US$ 290 and US$ 310 per ton this year while domestic corn prices fell from K 1,100 per viss in early July to K 770 per vis currently in the Yangon Market.