CNI News

22 July 2022

As Shwebo rice was in short supply in the domestic market, the prices of the rice variety surged, according to rice merchants.

The price of a 24-pyi bag of Shwebo rice rose by K 5,000 and the prices were likely to surge further, U Shine Win Latt, the owner of Shwebo Rice Trading at Wartan Road Commodity Exchange, told the CNI.

U Shine Win Latt said, “Rice prices, especially Shwebo rice, have risen. I think paddy was in short supply in Shwebo. As merchants do not have paddy to be milled, prices have surged. As the region mainly supplies rice to Yangon, the prices have soared here. Shwebo rice prices have risen by K 5,000 per bag. The prices are likely to rise further.”

Furthermore, rice supply to Bayint Naung Commodity Exchange dropped recently to only one-third of previous supply volumes, according to the commodity exchange.

The entrance to Shwebo.

As Shwebo rice was in short supply, merchants had to trade other varieties of rice, pushing up their prices, especially those from Ayeyarwady, U Shine Win Latt said.

“There are other varieties of rice like Ayeyarwady rice in the market but their prices have also risen as all commodity prices have risen. Farmers had to buy their inputs at rising prices and incurred more agricultural costs. So, consumers have started to think about mixing Shwebo rice with other varieties for their meals. If Shwebo rice is in short supply they will have to rely on other varieties. It is likely that Shwebo rice will be in short supply at present,” he told the CNI.

Shwebo rice is in short supply in the market since cultivation acreage of monsoon and summer paddy in the area dropped last year and paddy yields decreased.

As farmers in Shwebo were also displaced by regional instabilities while cultivation costs were rising, they were not able to grow as much paddy as before and paddy yields dropped.

Displaced people in Wetlet in Shwebo Township.

Farmers were worried about the shortages of seed paddy in coming years due to decreasing cultivation acreage, a local farmer in Shwebo told the CNI.

“Most farmers cannot grow paddy in our region currently as they are struggling with other problems. Only a few of them have started farming. Majority of them have not started farming as cultivation costs are rising. Farmers have to borrow money from others to invest in their farms as they are struggling with their costs of living. Most of them have not started farming. They are worried about the shortages of seed paddy in the coming years as they cannot grow rice this year. Under current circumstances, they are worried about their uncertain future,” the farmer said.

Residents of Shwebo mainly grow paddy and rice produced in the region and Shwebo rice fetches higher prices than that of other regions and gains the largest market shares in Myanmar.

As total acreage of paddy cultivated in Shwebo has decreased below the regional needs, the region is not likely to supply rice to other regions, according to rice merchants.

CNI News

22 July 2022

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still able to exert her influence on the People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) and the National Unity Government (NUG), which are fighting for democracy, according to Chairman Dr. Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party.

It is widely believed at home and abroad that the role and attitude of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is vital in resolving the current Myanmar political crisis and that she is able to use her influence on the PDF and the NUG to change their uncompromising attitude.

“No one has conducted surveys on the extent of influence she can exert on the PDF and the NUG but anyone can guess she has more or less influence on them. She has influence on them to a certain extent because the NUG has included Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint in their government,” he told the CNI.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Dr. Aye Maung and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during a meeting.

The NUG has still recognized Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as the state counsellor and U Win Myint as the president in their government.

ASEAN special envoy Prak Sokhonn, who has been tasked with resolving Myanmar political crisis, told the CNA that he wanted to use the influence of Daw Aung San Suu to end the violence in Myanmar and to hold dialogues.

“The most important things we will ask, or discuss with her is about her view on the future of Myanmar. How she sees the way out of the crisis, her political influence could have weight on the political process, the political dialogue that could lead to peace and reconciliation,” Mr. Sokhonn told the CNA. “Another point would be to ask her how her principle of non-violence could influence all the armed factions in order to stop violence,” he said.

Prak Sokhonn and Dr. Aye Maung.

Special envoy Prak Sokhonn is planning a third official visit to Myanmar in September and hopes to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during the visit.

On his second trip to Myanmar Prak Sokhonn, AFP Chairman Dr. Aye Maung pointed out that the role of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be taken into consideration in resolving the crisis during the meeting between seven leaders from political parties and the special envoy.

CNI News

22 July 2022

Sales in restaurants fell recently and profits were dwindled due to shortages and rising prices of gas for cooking, according to restaurant owners.

Restaurant owners, who have to rely on gas for cooking, are running their businesses without any profits due to rising gas and commodity prices, the owner of Linletkyal Fried Noodles Restaurant in Bahan Township told the CNI.

“Previously, we bought cooking gas at K 33,000 or K 35,000 per cylinder. Now, gas prices have risen by K 25,000 to K 55,000 per cylinder. As gas and foodstuffs are getting expensive, we cannot get profits. I have to rent the restaurant and pay staff salaries. I earn just enough money for the rent, the salaries and food for us.,” he said.

While gas prices have increased by more than K 20,000, some shops are selling gas under the rationing system.

Although some restaurants turned to electric stoves, they faced other problems like blackouts, rising electricity bills.

If gas prices rise further, restaurant businesses will have to face shutdowns, according to the owner of Lin Let Kyal noodles restaurant.

Gas cylinders in a gas station.

“If gas prices rise to K 60,000, K 70,000 or K 80,000, restaurants will not be able to afford it. Some restaurant owners use charcoal. Otherwise, their businesses will come to halt,” he told the CNI.

Moreover, fuel prices are also rising and commodity prices increased due to transportation charges, pushing up food prices.

With rising food prices, the number of patrons at restaurants has dropped and sales dropped, Chairman U Nay Lin of Restaurant Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

“We have to increase the prices of dishes at a time like this because restaurant owners can no longer suffer the losses. So, dishes that were sold at K 6,000 per serving may rise to K 7,000 or K 8,000. Finally, customers bare the brunt of the rising prices but they will be disappointed when they have to pay K 8,000 for what they usually ate at K 5,000 in the past. This caused difficulties for some. As a result, the number of customers at restaurants dropped. Every restaurant has faced the same problems,” he said.

Due to rising prices of US dollar against the Kyat, companies cannot import gas from Thailand and halted imports, leading to the rise of gas prices.

Restaurant owners pointed out that it is necessary to maintain currency price stability and fall in the prices of commodities to overcome the difficulties.

CNI News

20 July 2022

The rumour that no one has the right to possess foreign currencies such as US dollars, Euros, Yens and Singapore dollars except the government was not true and authorities are taking action against those who spread the fake news, Deputy Governor U Win Thaw of the Central Bank of Myanmar told the CNI.

“The fake news report has gone viral and market exchange rates have risen. It was not a statement issued by the CBM. Someone spread fake news reports to undermine the financial sector. The Ministry of Home Affairs is tracking the person who first spread the fake news report to take action against him. It was a fake news report and just an act of sabotage aiming at the creation of confusion among the public and chaos in the financial sector. We have seen the source that first fabricated the news report and the Ministry of Home Affairs is taking necessary action,” he said.

Fake news about possessing foreign currencies.

Fake news reports have spread on social media that no one has the right to possess foreign currencies including US dollars, Euros, Yens and Singapore dollars except the government in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and action would be taken against those who possess them in accordance with the banking and financial laws.

Moreover, the reports said that jail terms and fines will be imposed on them based on prevailing prices to control the financial flows to illegal organizations.

It was also stated in the fake news reports that the FEC system equivalent to the US dollar would be adopted again at the end of 2022 and border trade with neighbouring countries would be carried out in Yuan, Rupee, Baht and Ruble.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is taking measures to take action against the news source.

Economists said that some people are taking advantage of political instability, economic crisis and rising market rates of US dollar in Myanmar to spread fake news.

CNI News

20 July 2022

Shan State Progressive Party spokesman Major Sai Phone Hon of SSPP/SSA told the CNI that they would take the peace issue into consideration only after territorial disputes in Monghsu Township in Shan State (South) had been settled.

Military tensions were mounting before the peace talks and if all were desirous of peace, there would be none of such problems, he said.

Maj Sai Phone Hon told the CNI, “ We will have to decide the next step to take after resolving the disputes because it was a stumbling block. As the tensions have been mounting before the peace process, we will have to say that there wouldn’t be any of such problems if all stakeholders were moving toward genuine peace.There would be no such problems if everyone was desirous of peace.”

Locations of the three posts the Tatmadaw has asked the SSPP to withdraw.

However, the withdrawal of troops in the disputed areas would be decided only after negotiations with the Tatmadaw and he couldn’t say anything about the issue officially.

On 14th July, the delegations led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae and SSPP Vice Chairman -2 Maj-Gen Khu Sai met at Mongnaung in Shan State (North) and the former told the latter to withdraw troops from the posts they had occupied within seven days.

Maj Sai Phone Hon said that the Tatmadaw should not impose a precondition for peace talks if it really was desirous of peace, raising the question for the demand to withdraw troops.

The letter sent by the Tatmadaw to the SSPP

“Peace talks are held when there are tensions, but imposing preconditions is not a solution. If there are issues that must be resolved before the talks, we must settle them first so that we can move forwards smoothly. We believe that these will be minor issues that don't matter if the policy for peace in the entire country has been adopted. Actually,It is necessary for the media to ask the Tatmadaw why it raised the issues, which are not made by us. So, we don’t have much to talk about and advise the media to ask the Tatmadaw about them on behalf of the public,” he said.

The Tatmadaw demanded the SSPP to withdraw three posts of it at Loinoi and Manwain in Monghsu Township by 10th June on 4th June and by 30 June on for the second time but the SSPP refused to do so until now.

As tensions have mounted, representatives of the both sides met on 14 July but the Tatmadaw has still demanded the SSPP to withdraw troops from the posts.

CNI News

21 July 2022

Although more than one million migrant workers in Thailand including Myanmar will be permitted to work there until 13th February 2025, illegal workers will not be able to enjoy the same right, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.

Migrant workers who have been permitted to officially stay and work in Thailand until 13 February 2025 are those who have temporary work permits ( pink certificates), work permits (blue certificates) and the CI and MOU documents.

Thailand announced that temporary work permits (pink certificates) would be issued for illegal workers, the plan has not been approved by the government so far.

Labour affairs in charge U Min Oo told the CNI, “ They ( Thai government) already have had plans for illegal workers. I think they issued the announcement on 5th July to force all eligible workers to register with the government. It meant that they would renew the terms for workers who had work permits. However, those who have work permits fall into various classifications, according to the decisions made by the cabinet and the terms of their work permits are different. So, they wanted to set the same target for all in 2025. They aimed to set the same terms for all migrant workers.”

However, Ko Thargyi told the CNI that temporary work permits were not issued for all illegal workers in the past.

“Whenever it was announced that official work permits would be issued for illegal workers, a lot of people enter Thailand illegally but they had to pay money for illegal immigration and were cheated. I have not found any official documents issued to illegal workers,” he said.

In renewing the official work permits to stay and work in Thailand, migrant workers who have been permitted to do so in Thailand until 1st August, 2022 are required to renew their permits that are valid until 13th February 2025 before the expiry of their current permits.

The second group, whose permits expire on 1st August, 2022, are required to renew their permits once a year until 13th February, 2025.

Although it was good for more than one million immigrant workers to be allowed to stay and work in Thailand until 2025, they would not be staying in Thailand free of charge, according to U Min Oo, the in charge of labour from the FED.

“Anyway, there are consequences for workers, who have to satisfy the needs of agencies and employers in terms of costs and pay as much as required in accordance with the statements. However, it is good for workers to have more job opportunities for the workforce,” he said.

The Thai government has to extend the terms of migrant workers due to  the shortage of labour in Thailand for the first time, according to U Min Oo.

CNI News

21 July 2022

As rice exports came to a halt recently, supply of the crop to Bayint Naung Commodity Exchange was low, according to the commodity exchange.

Currently, rice exports have halted completely and demand for rice is very low. Recently, rice was traded for domestic consumption, Tatmadaw rations and other organizations, Secretary U Than Oo of Bayint Naung Commodity Exchange told the CNI.

“As exporters have stopped buying rice, traders have to purchase rice at lower prices. So, it is not profitable for merchants in small towns who store rice for the market and as they cannot sell their rice at lower prices. Another factor is paddy has not been harvested at this time of the year in most areas except Mandalay and Madaya. Recently, we could sell rice for domestic consumption, rations for the Tatmadaw and the WFP. Exporters have stopped purchasing rice,” he said.

As the Central Bank of Myanmar has set the exchange rate at K 1,850 per US dollar, exporters suffered losses and stopped rice exports.

The processing of paddy.

Therefore, rice supply to Bayint Naung Commodity Exchange decreased to one-third of its usual volumes, according to U Than Oo.

“About 70,000 to 80,000 bags of rice were usually transported to Bayint Naung Commodity Exchange every day but the supply volumes dropped to 20,000 to 25,000 bags a day or about only one-third of usual volumes. Millers, wealthy farmers and dealers have not sold their rice to get more profits when the prices rise again. There is no rice in the hands of small farmers. As the harvest has started in Madaya, farmers there may have paddy in their hands. In other places, rice is held by people who are waiting for higher prices,” he told the CNI.

Maritime exports of rice have halted due to the gap between the official exchange rate and the market rates, but traders are still exporting rice at the border trade.

Rice exports through the border trade are still surviving as rice was traded not in US dollar but in Yuan there, Vice Chairman U Min Thein of Muse Rice Commodity Exchange told the CNI.

“We mainly exported broken rice to China and only a little rice. As the rice and broken rice trading is carried out not in US dollar but in Yuan, the border trade of rice and broken rice is carried out in Yuan, it was not seriously affected by the exchange rate set by the CBM. However, those who exported rice through the maritime trade suffered losses due to the gap between the official exchange rate of 1,850 per US dollar and market rates. We have not suffered the consequences as we exported rice in Yuan but those who exported rice through the maritime trade suffered losses because they traded in US dollars. So, they have stopped buying rice for exports. So, merchants from small towns cannot sell rice at lower prices and the demand is very low,” he said.

Rice exported to other countries was 25 marks rice and the price was as high as K 30,000 per bag but exporters could not offer more than K 28,000 per bag to export rice to other countries.

However, millers and farmers cannot sell rice to them at the lower prices and only a few of them who were short of cash sold rice to exporters at a loss, according to the commodity exchange.

 CNI News 

20 July 2022

 A statement claiming to have formed the Kaw Thoo Lei Army by Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya, who was dismissed from the post of the chief of staff of the Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO), on 17th July 2022 was circulated on social media.

 The statement was also signed by Saw Win Myint, a commander of the Venom Commando column.

 The statement said that the KNDO led by current chief of staff Maj-Gen Saw Shee Lei is one of the signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and in a difficult position to lead movements of the entire people.

 Therefore, the Kaw Thoo Lei Army was formed under the leadership of Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya on 17th July 2022, the statement said. 

The statement added that the Kaw Thoo Lei Army stands as a people's army of Karen ethnic group and will eliminate the State Administration Council until the victory of the revolution has been achieved without following the orders of the organization  under the SAC. 

Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya and Captain Salone.

In the statement, Venom Commando column announced that it joined the Kaw Thoo Lei Army as of 17th July and requested the public to support the Kaw Thoo Lei Army instead of NCA signatories with the SAC.

 Venom Commando commander Saw Win Myint reiterated the pledge to defeat the SAC relentlessly without wasting any cent donated by the people.

 The KNDO is the armed wing of the Karen National Union, which signed the NCA on behalf of its armed wings, the KNDO and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). 

The current chief of staff of the KNDO is Maj-Gen Saw Shee Lei and Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya was dismissed from the post on 8th July for his role in the killing of 25 construction workers on 31 May 2021.

 Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya rejected his dismissal. 

Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya and Captain Salone.

The CNI tried to reach Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya for comments on the formation of the Kaw Thoo Lei Army but  he did not answer the phone.

 It was rumoured in the Karen political circle that a new Karen armed organization was likely to be formed and it was said that popularity of the group among the public and on social media was a push for formation of the new group. 

As Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya joined the Spring Revolution and launched offensives against the SAC troops, he was popular among the public and on social media.

 Currently, there are many Karen armed organizations including the KNU, the DKBA and the KNU/KNLA-PC.

 All the groups are factions of the KNU and Col Saw Chit Thu of DKBA also formed another faction callled Border Guard Force and cooperated with the SAC. 

In a similar fashion, about 300 members of the DKBA led by Captain Salone defected in May 2022 and joined with the troops of Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya, who was dismissed by the KNU.

CNI News

20 July 2022

U Cho Aung Than, a nephew of late martyrs Gen. Aung San and U Ba Win, refused to attend the Martyrs’ Day ceremony because he did not recognize the SAC, he told the CNI.

U Cho Aung Than is a son of U Aung Than, an elder brother of Gen. Aung San.

Families of Gen. Aung San and U Ba Win did not attend the 75th Anniversary Martyrs’ Day ceremony organized on 19th July, 2022.

U Cho Aung Than told the CNI, “As I said yesterday, we do not recognize the government. In previous years, a son of U Ba Win and I, as the eldest nephew of Gen. Aung San, attended the ceremonies.”

The organizing committee for the event attended the ceremony and laid wreaths on behalf of the absent families.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of Gen. Aung San, has been detained by the Tatmadaw after she tried to form a new government without settling voters’ list disputes in the 2020 general election on 1st February 2021 and a state of emergency was declared.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends the 73rd Anniversary of the Martyrs’ Day Ceremony. 

The Tatmadaw formed the SAC to run the country and promised to hand over power to the winning party in the 2023 elections.

U Cho Aung Than said that the SAC was not a legitimate government and no one had voted for them.

“I do not recognize the government. Actually, it is not a legitimate government. I have never voted for them. Last year, authorities came to my house to check whether there were guests at my house. When they saw the flag of the National League of Democracy, they seized it. I will always remember the incident, especially on a day like this,” he told the CNI.

Vice Chairman of the SAC Vice Senior General Soe Win attended the ceremony and laid a wreath at the mausoleum.

Gen. Aung San and colleagues were assassinated at a meeting in the Secretariat in Yangon on 19^th July, 1947.

The day was designated as the Martyrs’ Day and it has been 75 years since the Martyrs’ Day ceremonies were held every year.