CNI News

16 July 2022

In finding ways to overcome Myanmar's political crisis, the assumption that elections are the exit from the political crisis is not correct , Rakhine politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Although the State Administration Council has pledged to hold elections in 2023 and hand over power to the winning party, elections are likely to be an exit just for the SAC and will have no impact on national development and ending the civil war.

U Pe Than told the CNI, “As some political parties have decided to run for election, the SAC gains support from some political entities and it seems that those who cooperate with the SAC have some advantages. However, the elections will be held under the PR System, it is not a real exit from the political crisis for the country. It may be an exit for the SAC. As the PR system is introduced at a time when the opposition parties do have a say or are weak, the decision is not based on development and ending the civil war and there will be no impact on the issues.”

A Demonstration for democracy. (AP)

Political observer Sai Tun Aung Lwin told the CNI it is uncertain that elections can bring stability to the country and dialogues are essential for stability of the country.

Sai Tun Aung Lwin said, “It is uncertain that elections alone can bring peace and stability or the return to the situation after 2010. So, other means including dialogues are important. Dialogues only with ethnic armed organizations cannot guarantee peace and stability. Now, they have invited ethnic armed organizations only but some ethnic armed organizations refused to join the dialogues. As a result, so many problems will persist and be complicated in the future. They may hold elections for their exit. It is an issue to be taken into consideration for the long term.”

Furthermore, de added that it is difficult to say for sure under current circumstances that the public would accept the elections to be held by the SAC to overcome the political crisis.

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing announced that elections would be held in August 2023.

The Union Election Commission said that the PR system will be introduced in the elections.

CNI News

15 July 2022

Introducing the guest list management system in hotels in Myanmar has contributed not only to domestic and foreign guests but also to the country, according to Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.

Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the MTEA said, “The government can collect data on whether a  tourist visited Myanmar with the arrangement of a tour company or on a flexible independent travel or on business or on vacation. It can also collect data about the nationalities of tourists. Otherwise, we will have arrival data tourists gave at the airport and cannot know other data including destinations they went to. Now, we can know how long they stayed in Myanmar by studying data from hotels. If we know a tourist’s passport number, we can know where he stayed. If we learn that a tourist was infected with an infectious disease,  we can know where he stayed and take necessary protective measures. If a tourist was robbed or had an accident, we can offer help at once.”

The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has been implementing the GLMS as a health and safety measure.

The GLMS can record routes and other data of tourists.

A hotel in Nay Pyi Taw.

Although implementing the GLMS is beneficial for the hotel industry, some tourists do not want to give their data, a travel and tour agency told the CNI.

“It is not as bad as they think. There are advantages as well as disadvantages. Authorities have to ask for the personal details of tourists as it is necessary for them. Recently, they need to retrace the route of tourists. On the other hand, tourists do not want to give their details because of their privacy. As the current situation of the new normal requires such details, it is the responsibility of tourists to give their details. Tourists have to show their passport when they check in a hotel. Hotels can know their details from passports and where they came from and where they are going. If necessary, they need to give their details. I think tourists should accept this,” an official from the agency said.

Currently, there are more than 1,700 hotels that have registered to use the GLMS in the entire country, an official from the ministry told the CNI.

Guests at a hotel.

As the system is also in use in the international community, introducing it in Myanmar can enhance the security, tour agent U Thet Lwin Toe told the CNI.

U Ther Lwin Toe said, “At present, we should be especially cautious about security. As we don’t know who’s who, some control meauses must be taken.  We can make up for security by registering tourists in the system. Such measures are also taken in other countries. I think if the police can do their work effectively, crime can be exposed. In other countries, the system is used for tracing crimes. It is not a violation of human rights even in democratic countries. One has to do one’s job. The system does not violate human rights. We must do what we should.”

As it is the rainy season, the number of domestic and foreign tourists has dropped and most foreign tourists come to Myanmar on business and only a few of them visit Myanmar on vacation, according to the MTEA.

SSPP and delegation led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae hold talks

CNI News

14 July 2022

Delegation led by Vice Chairman Sao Khun Saing of the Shan State Progessive Party (SSPP) and Tatmadaw delegation led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae held talks at the headquarters of the No. (2) Bureau of Special Operation Command in Mong Nawng on 14th July.

Mong Nawng is a town in Kyethi Township in Mong Hsu District in northern Shan State.

It was reported that the Tatmadaw delegation and the delegation led by Vice Chairman Sao Khun Saing are likely to discuss the issues caused by the demand of the Tatmadaw to relocate three camps of the SSPP, according to sources close to them.

The letter sent to the SSPP to withdraw the latter’s troops from three camps.

On 4th June, the National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae sent a letter to the SSPP to withdraw its troops from three SSPP camps by 10th June.

However, no agreement was reached until 30 June and no agreement was struck between them until 30th June.

The SSPP and the Tatmadaw held negotiations again in Mong Nwang in Shan State (South) on 14th July.

CNI News

15 July 2022

It is necessary for the government to ease its policies to prevent the continued suspension of production of vehicles through the semi knock-down system, experts on vehicle policies and automobile entrepreneurs told the CNI.

Most automobile companies that import parts and assembled vehicles in Myanmar through the SKD system have temporarily suspended their operations due to exchange rate discrepancies and policies of the government to import parts, vehicle policy experts U Aung Pyae Sone told the CNI.

“While companies have to comply with government policies, they can also adopt their own policies. For example, Suzuki imported parts in UD$ and assembled them into vehicles here. As it is a Japanese company, we can also ask the company whether it is possible to import parts in yen instead of US$ because US$ has caused exchange rate problems, which leads to difficulties in importing parts. Is it possible for the company to take measures to import parts in yen as they are made in Japan. In the same way as the Yuan payment system was introduced, is it possible for the company to try to introduce the Yen payment system? It is possible for the company to resume its operations by taking this into account,” he said.

Instead of using the US$ payment system for vehicles made in China, Japan and Korea, payment systems in currencies of respective countries should be introduced and it is possible to solve the problem, he added.

A vehicle factory 

“We don’t know how companies adopted their policies and ran their operations but the two major issues are exchange rate fluctuation and difficulties to import parts. The companies that face both issues may have to suspend their operations first. If the government does not change or ease their policies over time, production of vehicles through the SKD system will gradually halt. It is likely that companies that import parts in US$ will come to a halt first,” he said.

The problems faced by vehicle assembling companies through the SKD system are mainly caused by the exchange rate control of the government, Chairman U Min Min Maung of Yangon Region Automobile Manufacturing and Distribution Association told the CNI.

“I think the government as well as authorities should allow them to manufacture vehicles as usual because foreign investment is scarce. When they have left the country, it is very difficult to invite them to invest in Myanmar again. Companies like Suzuki (M)and Hyundai (M) are fully foreign invested ones. Appropriate measures should be taken to discourage the outflow of foreign investment. Actually, the SKD system is the process of assembling vehicles from imported parts domestically. It is important to consider the livelihood and incomes of workers they are employing. The amount of their investment is very huge. So, they should take appropriate measures that will protect them from the suspension of their operations. On the other hand, the government is partly trying to control the depreciation of Kyat against US$ and importing vehicles is impossible,” he explained.

An assembly line of vehicles.

The SKD vehicle assembling factories, which are still running, are doing so by already imported parts and all SKD factories are facing the same fate, added U Min Maung Maung.

"Most SKD factories have been encountering the problem for a long time. They are assembling vehicles from parts they have already imported. Actually, the problem is not a new one because they have not been able to import parts for a long time. Now, they are running out of their stocks and the issue has come up. We don't know what will Jetour do when it has nothing left. Similarly, the BAIC and Ford cannot import anything," he told the CNI.

More than ten companies are manufacturing vehicles in Myanmar through the SKD systems including Suzuki, Hyundai, Jetour, Nissan, KIAS and Ford.

CNI News

14 July 2022

The State Administration Council was likely to expel the British ambassador to Myanmar due to his contempt for Myanmar, Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI News.

On 13 July, British ambassador Mr. Pete Vowels said on Twitter that he was pressured to leave the country.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, “He came to Myanmar after being appointed as the ambassador but he refused to present his credentials to Myanmar. This amounted to contempt for the country and did not comply with the provisions for appointment of ambassadors under the Geneva Convention. So, it was assumed that he showed contempt for the country.

“Sad & Sorry to have been forced by the Junta to leave but glae we didn’t cave to pressure to legitimize their coup,” Mr. Pete Vowels tweeted.

 Tweets of British Ambassador Mr. Pete Vowels.

After the Tatmadaw took over power on 1st February 2021, both the SAC and the opposition group tried to be recognized and the British ambassador had to leave the country as a result of the recognition struggle, Political Analyst U Sai Tun Aung Lwin told the CNI.

He said, “It was found that powerful countries have differing views on how to treat the country and on the other hand, countries are concerned that they recognize the legitimacy of either group to a certain extent. The British diplomat was first sent to Myanmar as an ambassador but they were concerned that appointment of the ambassador amounted to recognizing the junta’s legitimacy. When such concerns were raised, the diplomat’s rank was lowered to charge de affairs. At first, he was not allowed to enter the country when he was appointed as an ambassador in July 2021. Later, he was allowed to enter the country and forced to leave. He was a victim of the battle for legitimacy.”

Mr. Pete Vowels served as the British ambassador to Myanmar as of August 2021.

The British government has imposed targeted sanctions on the SAC for ousting the civilian government

CNI News

14 July 2022

Possibilities of cooperation to satisfy the fuel demand of Myanmar were discussed between PJSA Tatneft CEO Mr Nail Ultatovich Maganove and Chairman of State Administration Council Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The discussions were held at Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation on 13th July.

During the meeting, the SAC chairman discussed measures taken to satisfy the fuel demand in Myanmar and possibilities of long-term cooperation with Tatneft for oil and gas investment.

The SAC chairman also met with Head of State of the Republic of Tatarstan Mr. Nurgaliyevch Minnikhanov and discussed cooperation in trade and investment promotion, exploitation of oil and gas, construction of factories and workshops, maintenance of machinery, industrial development, education, economy, health and various sectors, according to the SAC.

Currently, the demand for fuel oil is growing and prices are rising. The public has to face difficulties including severe shortages.

CNI News

13 July 2022

As eight sailors, who tested positive for coronavirus, from Rakhine-Bangladesh border trade have recovered from COVID-19, border trade was not affected.

As various measures under different restrictions for prevention of COVID-19 have been taken at Sittway Border Trade Camp since the resumption of border trade, the current outbreak will not have an impact on border trade, Rakhine State Federation of Chambers and Commerce Chairman U Tin Aung Oo told the CNI News.

U Tin Aung Oo said, “The outbreak has not affected border trade so far. This is mainly because we have taken various measures for prevention of COVID-19 as much as we can since border trade resumed in late 2021. Those who return from Bangladesh are required to be placed under quarantine. They were required to stay under quarantine for ten days previously. Now, we place them three days under quarantine. As we took such measures and tested them, we were able to separate and give treatments to those who tested positive for coronavirus. So, we have not seen any impact of the current outbreak on border trade at border trade camps so far.”

A quarantine centre in Bangladesh-Rakhine border trade zone.

Two vessel crew recently tested positive for coronavirus and a total of eight crew members have tested positive for COVID-19 in July.

Those who recently tested positive do not suffer serious symptoms and were hospitalized just for patient monitoring and border trade activities are being carried out as usual.

Currently, only those who have been vaccinated are allowed to engage in border trade in Rakhine State while those who return from Bangladesh are required to be placed under quarantine and to receive tests, Assistant Director Dr. Soe Win Paing of Rakhine State Public Health Department told the CNI News.

“We allow only those who have been vaccinated to engage in border trade. All those who engage in border trade including company staff, crew members, loading and unloading labourers at entry points like Mingan port are required to submit their vaccine certificates. We take such measures. When they return from other countries, they are required to be placed under quarantine in accordance with rules and regulations. When they are under quarantine, we test them for COVID-19. So, we were able to identify those who were infected,” he said.

Bangladesh-Rakhine border trade.

As it is impossible to say whether recent outbreaks were caused by Omicron or new variants of Omicron in Sittwe due to lack of equipment, samples have to be sent to Yangon, according to Dr Soe Win Paing.

To prevent impacts of COVID-19 on border trade, the Ministry of Health and Republic of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry are cooperating for COVID-19 prevention measures.

The RUMFCCI has urged merchants, crew members and loading and unloading workers to cooperate with authorities by observing restrictions.

 CNI News 

13 July 2022 

The withdrawal of the Kachin Political Intrim Coordination Team (KPICT) as a permanent member from the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) undermined the Spring Revolution, political analyst U Than Soe Naing told the CNI News. 

As the NUCC serves as an advisory body for the Spring Revolution, issues should be resolved through negotiation, he urged. 

U Than Soe Naing told the CNI, “ I have nothing unusual to say but such withdrawals undermine the Spring Revolution. So, we have nothing to do but to request all stakeholders to concertedly prevent such incidents. It seems that they had differences of opinion. However, an advisory body that serves as a comprehensive united front is a force we need. Unity is important. As the terms such as withdrawals and departures make the public sad. So, I have nothing to do but to request all stakeholders to renegotiate, cooperate and to be united by taking the feelings of the public into consideration.

A press conference of the NUCC.

 Although the KPICT withdrew as a permanent member from the NUCC, the former said it would coordinate with the latter when necessary. 

The withdrawal of the KPICT from the NUCC weakened the latter as a force, Kachin politician U Kwan Gaung Aung Kham told the CNI. 

“As far as I understand, the position of the NUCC as a force will be weakened if the news is true. In my opinion, the KPICT is still working with the NUCC. Moreover, the withdrawal will have an impact to some extent, especially on the public opinion about unity. However, I cannot foretell what will happen. I am sure that it will have certain consequences. We will have to watch whether this will have major impacts as the KPICT is still working with the National Unity Government (NUG) despite its withdrawal from the NUCC,” he said.

 Last May, some news agencies reported that the National League for Democracy (NLD) announced it left the NUCC and would continue to engage in partnership relations with the latter. 

The Spring Revolution. 

The NUCC was formed with 33 organizations in accordance with the federal democracy charter and eight ethnic armed organizations participated in the council through different forms, according to a statement made in a press conference. 

Though the NUCC plays a leading role in the Spring Revolution, the public is concerned that the withdrawal of powerful organizations like the NLD and the KPICT will affect the Spring Revolution.

CNI News

13 July 2022

Chairman of State Administration Council Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Mr. Alexey Likhachev, head of state-own nuclear corporation Rosatom State Corporation discussed cooperation in nuclear energy technology sectors that would bring mutual benefits for people in both countries.

The visiting SAC chairman and Mr. Alexey Likhachev held the discussions on 12th July, according to a statement released by the SAC.

They discussed possibilities of nuclear technological cooperation in sectors that would bring mutual benefits for people in both countries such as peaceful utilization of nuclear energy for science and research and in pharmaceutical, agriculture, livestock breeding, industrial and foodstuff industries, according to the SAC.

On 11th July, the SAC chairman discussed exports of products based on agriculture and technical cooperation in production of oil crops, electricity generation and promotion of exports and imports between the two countries with Russia-ASEAN Business Council Chairman Mr. Ivan Polyakov.

Similarly, the SAC chairman visited State Space Corporation Roscosmos and held talks with Director General and Special Envoy for International Space Exploration Dr. Dmitry Rogozin on development of science and technological sector and human resource development, the statement added.

During the visit, the SAC chairman attended a ceremony to hoist the diamond orb atop a replica pagoda of the Shwezigon Pagoda in ETHNOMIR cultural city.