CNI News

28 Jan 2023

Although the State Administration Council has enacted a law requiring political parties to reregister, the National League for Democracy is unlikely to do so, Political Observer Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

A new political parties registration law for elections scheduled in August was signed into law by SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 26th January.

U Kyee Myint told the CNI, "I don't think the NLD will re-register because it has already register once. Before the 2010 elections were held, political parties were required to re-register. When U Thein Sein permitted the NLD to compete the by-election, the NLD was forced to re-register. Political situation then was different from the current one. Politicians always say political parties can be formed anytime as long as they enjoy public support. Leading NLD politician U Win Tin always said that. However, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi did not listen to U Win Tin's advice. I don't think the NLD will re-register this time.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Most NLD leaders are in jail at present and some NLD members who are in good relations with the SAC may re-register under the name of the NLD, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The majority of NLD leaders are in prison while some of them have been sentenced to death. A large number of lawmakers are being detained. The CRPH and the NUG are organizations that are fighting against the SAC. They have announced that they would not recognize the elections and the NLD has announced that it would not contest the elections held by the SAC. However, there may be black sheep or nominal NLD members who are in good relations with the SAC. It is a political issue. They may be able to use the NLD in name only and will not garner support of the people. They may use new political parties but they will be notorious in history. There were precedents."

Under the new political parties registration law, political parties that represent the entire country are required to deposit MMK 100 million in a bank account at one of the Myanmar Economic Banks and to recruit 100,000 members within 90 days after their registration has been approved.

Some NLD members may re-register the party and contest elections but it is difficult for them to recruit 100,000 new members, U Kyee Myint added.

Supporters of the NLD. (Frontier Myanmar)

He said, "One of the risk is that some traitors from the NLD may re-register the NLD and contest the elections. As the majority of the party do not re-register, they may re-register the party. Deposit MMK 100 million is nothing for them. However, it is difficult for them to recruit 100,000 members. So, the NLD is unlikely to contest the elections."

Top NLD leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Win Myint and Dr Zaw Myint Maung are being detained by the military.

Some central executive committee members like U Hanthar Myint and Dr Myo Nyunt have been released by the junta but they cannot be seen in the current political activities. Other central executive committee members Daw May Win Myint and U Aung Kyi Nyunt are taking part in the Spring Revolution.

CNI News

28 Jan 2023

Although Nandaw Gate, an immigration checkpoint at the Chinese-Myanmar border has been reopened, red book border passes are issued only for residents of Muse and Namkham, according to the Immigration Department in Muse.

Myanmar nationals who have stranded in China have been allowed to come back through the gate but red book border passes are issued only for residents of Muse and Namkhm, an official from the Information and Public Relation Department told the CNI.

A health notice at the Myanmar-China border

He said, "Border passes are issued only for residents of Muse and Namkham who have household lists in the towns. Freight trucks and drivers are allowed to pass through the border at Manwain Gate. The immigration department has taken measures to prevent agents and border passes will be issued to residents who apply for them in person. So, local residents can easily go to China border trade."

However, it was posted on social media that it costs Yuan 1,000 (MMK 400,000) to apply for a border pass.

Agents will not be allowed to apply for border passes on behalf of their clients and it costs only MMK 500 for a resident to apply for a border pass in person, an immigration officer told the CNI.

She said, "It cost MMK 500 only for the border pass book. Applicants are required to queue at the office in person. We have heard rumours that it costs between MMK 1 and 1.2 million to apply for the border pass. The district immigration officer has instructed us to collect MMK 500 only for the book and applicants are required to queue at our office in person. We issue border passes to applicants whether they pay more than MMK 500 or not."

Muse Nandaw Gate

The border passes are used in the entry and exit from the two countries and are valid for six days and seven nights.

Currently, authorities have allowed residents to pass through the Nandaw Gate and small vehicles are permitted to pass through the Sin Phyu Gate.

The Manwain Gate is used for six-wheel vehicles while container trucks and eight-wheel trucks are permitted to pass through Khin San Kyawt gate.

CNI News

28 Jan 2023

Renewing identity documents poses a major problem for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand have faced more problems in renewing their identity documents than in their workplaces, and are forced to pay large sums of money for renewing their documents, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Labour activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI,"The main problem in renewing identity documents is costs. Migrant workers are in deep trouble for their documents. If they have large families, it is more difficult for them. They have to spend tens of thousands of Baht or at least Baht 15,000 to renew their documents. As it is time to renew their documents, they have to spend a large proportion of their incomes for the renewals. It is difficult for them to renew their documents by themselves, they have to rely on agents. As a result, it costs more money for them and sometimes they are cheated out of their money. As commodity prices are rising on a daily basis. Some employers offer advances to their workers to renew their documents because they understand the situation their workers face. However, some employers take interest in their advances and keep the documents. Therefore, there are problems when their workers want to change jobs.

Migrant workers waiting in queue to renew their passports in front of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.

Currently, Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand have to renew their documents including passports, certificates of identity, pink cards, work permits and visas.

Moreover, Myanmar workers who came to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries are required to renew their MOU work permits at the end of January.

As a large number of Myanmar migrant workers are renewing their documents, there are some delays, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Adviser U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI, "If their documents are not valid because authorities are not able to renew them in a timely manner, the workers will face problems. If such documents can be renewed easily by workers themselves, there will be no agents and workers will be able to pay fees set by authorities. As they have to hire agents, they have to pay Baht 10,000 for document renewal which will incur only Baht 4,000 if they could renew them by themselves. If authorities from both countries can adopt sound policies for the workers in cooperation, it will be beneficial for migrant workers."

As the current renewal processes for documents in Thailand is complicated and take a long time, it is difficult for workers to renew their documents by themselves.

As a result, they have to rely on agents, who sometimes cheat them out of their money.

Activists have warned migrant workers not to make advance payments for document renewals.

CNI News

28 Jan 2023

Armed conflicts erupted between the Shanni Nationalities Army and the joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army and the People's Defence Forces in Tawsi Village in Homalin Township in upper Sagaing Region on 27th January.

The KIA and PDF forces launched an attack on the SNA outpost in Tawsi village from 6 am to 11 am, a local resident told the CNI.

He said, "We heard gunshots and heavy weapon fires until 11 am. It was said that a member of the SNA was injured and two personnel from the KIA/PDF were killed during the fighting.

 Homalin.

NSA Spokesperson Lt-Col Sai Aung Mein confirmed that a member of the SNA was injured.

He told the CNI, "Yes, fighting has erupted but I cannot provide details because it is difficult to contact our troops. One of our troops was injured."

The CNI was not able to verify the casualties during the conflicts independently while the KIA was not available for comments.

Joint forces of the KAI and the PDF attacked an SNA checkpoint in Hsezin Village in Hpakant Township at 4 am on 26th January.

CNI News

27 Jan 2023

Causing injuries and deaths of domestic tourists amid instability while they were travelling is likely to hinder tourism, tourism entrepreneurs and hoteliers told the CNI.

Last year, some pilgrims suffered casualties due to explosions and shooting. While efforts were being made for recovery of domestic tourism, a bus carrying pilgrims to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda was hit by a heavy weapon fire on 25th January, 2023.

If such incidents have tarnished the image of the country in the international community, the situation of the tour industry of Myanmar is likely to be exacerbated, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

A passenger bus to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda comes under attack

He said, " The ASEAN tourism fair is going to be organized soon. As the fair is focused on the ASEAN region, Thai tour companies may ask us questions over such incidents and raise concerns. Therefore, Myanmar companies that are participating in the fair will not be able to enjoy as much benefit as they should. We are worried about such issues because Thai citizens account for the largest number of tourists to Myanmar. And then, Chinese tourists are visiting our country soon. Tourists from both countries usually go on pilgrimage to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. Tourists from Thailand visit Yangon and then continue to the pagoda without fail. The incident will have an impact on such markets, especially on the Thai market."

A heavy weapon round hit a passenger bus carrying pilgrims to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda on 25th January, 2023, killing one passenger and injuring seven others, according to a press release of the True News Information Team of the SAC.

Moreover, three women were killed and 19 others were injured in an armed conflict at the bus terminal at the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda on 12th October, 2022.

Domestic and foreign tourists

Attacks on innocent tourists will tarnish the image of the country and if victims of such attacks were foreign citizens, their countries will take appropriate measures against Myanmar, Chairman U Zaw Zaw of the Shan State North Hoteliers Association told the CNI.

He said, "No country will tolerate when their citizens are in danger in other countries. They will take appropriate measures. Their reactions will vary depending on negotiations between the two countries. The best way is to avoid such incidents. Even when we go abroad, we take our safety into consideration. They will also think in the same way as us. It will be difficult to attract foreign tourists in 2023."

As a result, relevant authorities should take security measures for the most popular domestic tour destinations in the same ways as other countries, according to tour operators and holeliers.

Domestic tourists on U Bein Bridge

A tour operator told the CNI, "There are unsafe destinations all over the world including in India because of car bombs, ambushes and explosions. However, authorities take necessary security measures and tourists continue to visit such destinations. However, the situation is different in our country and such incidents have impacts on tourism."

Although tour operators expected that there will be more foreign tourists in 2023 than the previous year, the incidents do not bode well for tourism.

Although Chinese citizens accounted for the largest number of tourists to Myanmar in the past, Thailand surpassed the country this year.

CNI News

27 Jan 2023

Although transportation of medicines to Rakhine State has been permitted, there are difficulties to transport medicines from Sittwe to other townships, according to medicine merchants and distributors.

Although transportation of medicines from Yangon to Sittwe in Rakhine State has been permitted under the approval of the border and security affairs minister, checkpoints in Rakhine State are asking for permission documents to transport medicines from Sittwe to other townships in Rakhine State, a medicine distributor in Sittwe todl the CNI.

He said, "It is still difficult to travel from Yangon to Sittwe and more difficult to transport medicines from Sittwe to other townships in Rakhine State, especially to Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw and Kyaukphyu. Even if we submit permissions from the border and security affairs minister, they did not allow us to transport medicines to the townships. When a customer from Kyaukphyu places an order to us, we will have to apply for permission from the minister and it takes about two weeks. So, customers place orders in Yangon directly. It is especially difficult to transport medicines to southern Rakhine State."

 A pharmacy in Rakhine State.
As it is difficult to transport medicines from Sittwe to other townships in Rakhine State, medical supplies are being transported from Yangon to some townships in Rakhine State like Mrauk-U and Kyaukphyu.

As transportation of medicines is still difficult in Rakhine State, medicine companies and patients are still encountering problems.

As transportation of medicines from one township to another is still difficult in Rakhine State, medicine prices have not decreased and the public may even face shortages of medicines.

When fighting escalated between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in July, 2022, some roads and waterways were blocked and transportation of medicines was prohibited.

A pharmacy in Rakhine State.

Then, the two sides reached a ceasefire deal and transportation of medicine has been permitted but still requires the permission of the border and security affairs ministers. However, it takes a long time to get permission from the minister and transportation of medicine are often delayed, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce told the CNI.

He said, "We can transport medicines to Sittwe with the approval of the mnister. However, transportation of medicines to Rakhine State was banned for a long time, and shortages still persist. As permission is granted, medicine prices have started to be stable. However, transportation of medicines is still delayed. Merchants have to wait a few days to get permission to transport medicines.

As transportation of medicines via land routes has to pass through many checkpoints, there are delays and some merchants have chosen flights to do so, according to medicine merchants.

CNI New

27 Jan 2023

The divesting of a Norway fund from a Chinese company and an Indian firm that are selling weapons will have no impact on Myanmar, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Strategic Studies told the CNI.

The move does not have any impact on relations between the neighbouring countries.

Modi and Xi.

U Thein Tun Oo said, " As the political situation of the world has changed, ties between Asian countries, especially which have common interests, have been stronger. Norway has not been able to have an influence on a country like ours, Norway has no influence on big powers like India and China. There is no significant impacts on ties between neighbouring countries like Myanmar, China and India.

Shares from the Chinese and Indian companies that sell weapons to Myanmar would be divested by the Norway Fund, the Norway Central Bank announced.

Breaking economic ties with the companies supporting the military is to be welcomed but the military will not reverse its course, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Weapons of the junta.

U Pe Than said, "Breaking ties with companies that support the junta is to be welcomed but the junta will not reverse its course in its own interests. However, it is still difficult for the junta to control the country. It is still difficult to predict whether they will listen to public voice or serve their own interests because it depends on their own decisions.

Norway said the selling weapons to Myanmar by the India and Chinese companies is very dangerous and violates international laws.

Currently, fighting has erupted between the junta and various ethnic armed groups including EAOs and PDFs in Karen State, Kayah (Karenni State), Chin State, Sagaing Region and Magway Region.

CNI News

26 Jan 2023

Although the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration announced that it would no longer allow nominal directors and shareholders in companies, they will not vanish, according to economists.

As people who act as nominal directors conduct company operations in terms of finance and responsibility, it is difficult to scrutinize them, Economic Observer U Thet Zaw told the CNI.

He said, "Authorities issued rules and regulations to prevent scapegoating. If there is a problem in a company, nominal directors will be scapegoats. There are disadvantages caused by nominal directors depending on their involvement. People are taking shortcuts without complying with rules and regulations. However, it is difficult to distinguish between real directors and nominal ones because no one will admit they are nominal directors. Some people act as nominee directors because they get money for doing so while others act as nominal directors because they are responsible to do so. It is difficult to expose them.

A garment factory.

The DICA announced on 17th January that Chapter 18 of the Myanmar Companies Law stipulates regarding the rights and responsibilities of directors, officials and those who direct corporate affairs are considered directors even if the position of the director is not appointed. Additionally, the appointment of alternate directors is allowed under the existing law. Appointing nominal directors is not officially approved.

Prohibition of nominal directors and shareholders will prevent tax evasions and money laundering, according to an economic observer, who requested not to be named.

He told the CNI, "There will be fewer cases of tax evasions and money laundering. However, it is not a regulation in favour of companies but a regulation to protect the government."

 A scene in Yangon.

Companies that hold 35 percent of foreign shares are considered as local companies and those with more than 35 percent of foreign shares are regarded as companies owned by foreigners. However, some foreigners are acting as nominal directors as they want to take more than 35 percent of their company shares, according to entrepreneurs, who think that nominal directors have been banned to protect the rights of citizens.

However, the DICA would need to cooperate with other government departments to take action against nominal directors and just issuing statements will not work, according to economic observers.

CNI News

26 Jan 2023

As armed clashes and explosions frequently rock the Myawady Road, authorities are holding discussions with the Thai ambassador to send workers to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries by air, Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win of the Ministry of Labour told the CNI.

Currently, MOU workers are sent to Thailand via the Myawady-Mae Sot road and Kawthaung-Ranong road and the former is the most common road to send workers.

 Yangon International Airport

As the Myawady-Mae Sot road, however, is frequently hit by armed clashes and explosions, authorities are discussing a plan to send the workers by air and Thai authorities have agreed to the plan in principle, U Nyunt Win told the CNI.

He said, "The main issue is that the Myawady land route is frequently in trouble. However, we are still discussing the details like the airlines to be operated, passengers for return trips, landing aircrafts at the Don Mueang airport without using the Suvarnabhumi airport. As we use Don Mueang airport, it is difficult to get passengers for the return trips and workers are likely to pay for return trips of aircraft. We will also have to discuss fares with airlines. If costs are not too high, employers are ready to accept the plan because it takes only one hour to fly from Yangon to Bangkok and workers will be able to start their work quickly. We still need to discuss immigration issues as well as fares for the two-trip.

If both sides reach agreement, MOU workers can be sent to Thailand by air anytime whether the land route is hit by armed clashes and explosions.

A gas tanker truck comes under attack on the Myawady-Mae Sot road

Therefore, measures will be taken to send workers to Thailand from the Myawady-Mae Sot road, Kawthaung-Ranong road and by air.

Although workers are sent by air for security reasons, workers will incur higher agency fees than the current rates, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He pointed out that workers should be sent to Thailand via Kawthaung-Ranong road, which is safer than the Myawady-Mae Sot road.

U Min Oo said, "There are limits in transporting workers by air and many other factors to be considered. For example, there are issues related to documents like work permits and others including vaccine certificates and insurance. Thailand has adopted different policies on foreigners from different countries. It is certain that agency fees will increase. Another factor is that aircraft cannot have a large number of workers aboard one flight. It is difficult to send enough workers to meet the demand by air. Authorities can send a large number of workers via the Kawthaung-Ranong road and they should choose the route. If they send workers by air, they will need a large number of flights."

An explosion in Myawady

Sending MOU workers to Thailand was suspended due to COVID-19 and the program was resumed in May 2022.

However, the Asia Highway from Myawady to Mae Sot, the major route to send workers to Thailand, is frequently hit by armed conflicts and explosions and the program is often suspended.