CNI News

12 August 2022

Trading activities at Rakhine-Bangladesh have come to a grinding halt due to transportation problems and slowing commodity flow, according to merchants in the border area.

Border trade in Sittwe had halted for almost a week due to bad weather and high trading costs, General Secretary U Aung Aung of Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.

U Aung Aung said, “The weather is bad in Sittwe in rainy seasons and we haven’t been able to transport goods to them for almost a week. The weather is very bad in the sea and our ships cannot travel to them. So, border trade was recently carried out in Maungtaw despite higher costs due to difficulties in transportation and it was not profitable for exporters.”

Export volumes in Maungdaw border trade dropped from US$ 2.32 million in June to US$ 1.32 million in July, according to Maungdaw border trading camp.

A border trading camp in Rakhine State.

In August, road conditions were bad and the commodity flow has slowed down and border trade is likely to fall further, according to Vice Chairman U Aung San Thein of Maungdaw Border Trade Merchants Association.

U Aung San Thein told the CNI, “Border trade usually drops in the rainy season because road conditions are bad and the commodity flow slows down. I think border trade will fall further.”

The increase and decrease of border trade at Sittwe and Maungtaw camps depend on export of fresh water carp.

However, it is not the freshwater carp fishing season at the moment.

The border trade volume in Rakhine State is likely to increase again when freshwater carp are available abundantly, according to merchants in Rakhine State.

CNI News

12 August 2022

As SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said to put efforts to increase rice yield, chairman of the Farmers’ Life Development Association U Thein Aung told CNI that fertilizer supply is needed this month (in August) to increase rice yield.

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said on August 8 that he will make sure to perform that farmers get fertilizer, pesticide and agricultural water regarding rice cultivation and production.

The chairperson of the Farmers’ Life Development Association, U Thein Aung told CNI that if those are planned to support, it is necessary to be able to do it during August, and if it goes beyond August, it is not going to be the right time as the rice will be ready to be harvested.

U Thein Aung said, “If they really do it, it is possible if they ask the respective Prime Ministers to implement this plan as they have a mechanism and if the responsible persons, from the State to the district, then district to township then township to the village administrations, do without hesitancy. They have the mechanism and is still in process. So, it can be. But the case is that if it can be done within August, we still have time. If August is passed and September comes, we won’t have time as the rice will be harvested around that time. But we can wait the spring rice.”

SAC meeting

Farmers said that this year, they reduced the use of fertilizers due to the price surge of inputs such as engine fuel, pesticide, fertilizer in growing the rice, thus it will lead to the decrease in rice yield.

So, U Thein Aung said that it would be possible to increase the rice yield if fertilizer supply will be provided during August, but there will not be the increase in rice yield if that supply is not available to the grassroots farmers.

He said, “On the part of the farmers, there are those who plant pure seeds so that they can earn as much as they deserve. However, they may have already grown rainfed rice.

Anyhow, as the last fact, to have the rise in rice yield, it is still probable if they are provided enough manure from the back. It is not that easy. It is possible only if the supply can be provided. But how can it be increased if the plan just remains at the above level and not reaches to the ground?”

Farmers said that this year’s rainfed rice production rate will be reduced by 10 percent due to the reduced fertilizer use. Besides, it is reportedly known that although rice was planted in Rakhine State, fertilizers are mainly needed as there had been damage in rice growing due to drought.

Farmers planting rice

Therefore, U Kyaw Zan, chairman of the Rakhine State Farmers’ Union, told CNI that it would be beneficial to a certain extent if the government can manage the necessary support to the farmers.

U Kyaw Zan said, “Now on our side, not with the support of the government, we are self-supporting. Some are even in the situation that they have given up. For some, they still hold a piece of hope. In some areas, the rain has started to pour again. So, it is seen that they are growing again. At this time, it can be beneficial to some extent, even if it is not 100 percent, if the government can offer the necessary support.”

It is also known that owing to the damage of the cultivated rice as a result of the drought in Rakhine State, there are also farmers who cannot afford to replant and there are some too who left their farms and went to work abroad.

According to the Rakhine Farmers’ Union, more and more farmers have left their farms in Pauktaw, Myebon, Mrauk U, Minbya townships.

CNI News

11 August 2022

Gen. N’Ban La, the chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization warned of rice shortages as rice farming was disrupted by armed conflicts in Central Myanmar, urging the people to exert efforts for cultivation of rice and other crops.

He issued the warning while addressing the 47th Anniversary of the Kachin Martyrs’ Day held in KIO/KIA headquarters in Laiza on 10th August.

Gen. N’Ban La said, “As farming could not be carried out as effectively as previous years in war-torn Central Myanmar, the country might face hungers in upcoming years. So, I want to seriously urge local people to grow rice and other crops in their villages. It is also important to save rice and other foodstuffs.”

The chairman made his speech in Kachin language and some excerpts were translated into Burmese and published by Simsa Kasa Multimedia.

KIA Chief of Staff Gen. Gwan Maw. (Simsa Kasa Multimedia)

Fighting has broken out between the junta troops and the alliance of local PDFs and ethnic armed organizations in Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Chin State, Karen State and Kayah State in Myanmar.

Paddy yields have fallen due to the disruption of farming activities. Although there are no clashes in Rakhine State and Ayeyarwady Region, total acreage of paddy cultivation has decreased due to high costs of inputs like fertilizers, fuel oil and pesticides as well as lack of agricultural water supply and yields are likely to drop, according to farmers.

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said at the meeting held from 8th to 10th August that the government would invest MMK 400 billion to fulfil fertilizer, pesticide, fuel oil and water needs to boost crop yields and streamline agricultural activities.

CNI News

11 August 2022 

Wave Money, one of Myanmar’s leading mobile financial service providers, announced that they team up with Yoma Bank and unlimited cash withdrawal can be made from nearby Yoma Bank branches or ATMs, including transferring money through Wave-Flexi linkage.

 It is known that Wave Money users can use mobile financial services by the digital linking of their Wave Pay with Yoma Bank Flexi Everyday account. Brad Jones, the Chief Executive Officer of Wave Money said, “We are fully aware that our users, agents and partners had to face with the difficulties and challenges for cash withdrawal due to the recent changes and circumstances. 

With the aim of providing a better service to the people, Wave Money has partnered with Yoma Bank and brought Wave-Flexi linkage service for the Wave Money users to make cash withdrawals with no worries and to get payment services. This new service is a help for our agents and partners across Myanmar to be able to make enough cash withdrawals.” 

Wave Money company’s statement describes that Wave-Flexi linkage was started in July, money transfer can be done through Flexi service as Wave Money connects their agents’ Wave Partner accounts with Flexi Connect from Yoma Bank and financial services are being provided by more than 50,000 Wave shops across Myanmar.

Ko Kyaw Soe Lin, Chief Consumer Banking Officer from Yoma Bank said, “We feel very proud to be able to provide better banking services to not only Yoma Bank users but also Wave Money users by joining hands with Wave Money. 

The Flexi service is a big step forward for both Yoma Bank and Wave Money, fulfilling our commitment to bring smooth and convenient financial services. We are working on everything at our best for our users to be easily accessible and able to manage their finances. 

This Flexi Everyday service is the main function which will fulfill our commitment.” It is known that Flexi Everyday account can be opened at Yoma Bank branches.

CNI News

11 August 2022

The Karen National Liberation Army, on 10th August, vowed to realize four principles of its late leader Saw Ba U Gyi including decision-making for its own political destiny.

The pledge was made in a message sent to the 72nd Anniversary to Karen National Martyrs’ Day, which falls on 12th August.

Saw Ba U Gyi adopted four principles: “Surrender is out of the question,” “The recognition of the Karen Country must be completed,” “We shall retain our arms,” and “We shall decide our own political destiny,” according to the message.

He applied three approaches such as political dialogue for a negotiated settlement with Burmese Government, armed struggle and international intervention or arrangement for the Karen people.

The KNLA said in its message, “It has been 73 years since the Karen Revolution started. We have continued our struggle relentlessly for more than 70 years by performing duties which fall on our shoulders and into our hands as historical ones as the mission launched by sacrificing lives of our leader Saw Ba U Gyi, other leaders, comrades and our people has not been accomplished. There are thousands of our leaders, comrades and people who sacrificed their lives for the Karen Revolution without being recognized as martyrs. We would like to urge all to continue to perform unfulfilled historical duties.

Chairman Saw Ba U Gyi

As each leader, comrade and individual has their own duties to be performed, we would like to urge all to stand steadfastly on our principles and approaches laid down by Chairman Saw Ba U Gyi and successive leaders by following guidance and instructions of superior leaders,” the message says.

The Karen Revolution started in 1949 and the current chairman of the Karen National Union is Gen. Mutu Say Poe.

The KNLA and the Karen National Defence Organization are armed wings of the KNU.

Along with other EAOs, the KNU signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the government on 15th October 2015.

CNI News

11 August 2022

Illegal Myanmar workers in Thailand have been subject to exorbitant fees as much as more than Baht 10,000 per head to apply for Baht pink cards, which allow them to stay and work in the kingdom temporarily.

However, illegal workers from other countries like Laos and Cambodia were not forced to pay such exorbitant fees, Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, told the CNI.

Ko Thar Gyi said, “The Thai government has announced that migrant workers can apply for Baht pink cards online between 1st to 15th August. So, people who were close to the Thai labour ministry compiled the lists of Myanmar workers to apply for the pink cards and worked as brokers. Some illegal workers had to pay them from Baht 12,000 to 15,000 depending on the areas they were staying but no one was sure whether authorities would issue the pink cards to them. When illegal workers apply for the pink cards online, the Labour Ministry will process their applications by allocating them to each employer and will issue the pink cards to them if the employer agrees to give jobs to them. Now, brokers from Myanmar and Thailand forced illegal workers to pay excessive fees to register them with companies close to them.”

Officially, each illegal worker is required to pay Baht 4,000 for work permit and health insurance. Some official labour agencies offered the application services at Baht 5,000 to 6,000 per head including their agent fees.

A seafood processing site in Thailand.

As the number of illegal workers from Cambodia and Laos is relatively small, their employers took the responsibilities for their pink cards. No one of them had to pay more than Baht 8,000.

Myanmar workers are being exploited in other countries because the country is poor and underdeveloped, a Myanmar worker in Thailand told the CNI.

“Our country is poor and underdeveloped. So, we cannot make any demands or complaints. Those who worked here illegally had to face oppression. The labour attaché has neglected us and his staff are working as brokers. And other brokers are lackeys of Thai authorities. They themselves oppress us. Most brokers are people who have access to the Thai and Myanmar embassies.

As they can continue to work after they have received the pink cards, Myanmar illegal workers were forced to pay exorbitant fees.

Labour activists in Thailand said that the Ministry of Labour and the National Unity Government should offer effective assistance to Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.

The Thai government hardly issues pink cards, which enable holders to enjoy labour rights enacted by Thailand, to illegal workers.

The Migrant Workers Rights Network, in cooperation with Thai labour unions, called for authorities to increase the basic salary of migrant workers in Thailand including Myanmar nationals from Baht 320 to Baht 492.

CNI News

11 August 2022

The National Unity Government has vowed to topple the military dictatorship and establish a federal democracy by joining hand with the Kachin revolutionary forces.

The NUG said it pledged to establish a federal democracy union aspired by all ethnic groups including the Kachin in a message sent to the Kachin Martyrs' Day, which falls on 10th August.

Spokesperson of the KIA Col Naw Bu told the CNI that he did not know the extent to which the NUG and the KIA would cooperate politically and nothing was being implemented to that end.

NUG Defence Minister U Yee Mon and PDF troops. (NUG-fb)

Col Naw Bu said, “The KIO central committee will decide the extent to which the two sides can cooperate but as far as I know, the central committee has not implemented any cooperation schemes with the NUG. However, both the KIO and the NUG have the same objectives of toppling the military dictatorship. I think the two sides can join hands for issues in which they have the same objectives. The KIO has not issued any statement about the matter. I just would like to point out that the two sides have the same objectives.”

However, the KPICT left the NUCC in early July.

The KPICT and the CRPH at a meeting. (CRPH)

It was likely that the NUG sent the message to the KIO as it realized that the Spring Revolution led by it could achieve victory only through the cooperation with EAOs, Political Analyst U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “I think the NUG pointed out the need to cooperate between not just the NUG and the KIA but also between other EAOs like the Karenni, the CNF and the KNU and it by sending messages to their important events to call for cooperation to speed up the victory of the revolution.”

Currently, the KIA has formed alliances with local PDFs and fought with the junta in Katha, Pinlebu, Banmauk, Kawlin in Sagaing Region and Indawgyi and Hpakant in Kachin State.

CNI News

10 August 2022

As Malaysian authorities have detained illegal workers from various countries, they are not likely to release Myanmar nationals selectively, Chairman U San Win of the Myanmar Social Assistance Association in Kuala Lumpur told the CNI.

U San Win said, “It is impossible to call for the release of Myanmar illegal workers selectively because Malaysian authorities have detained people who entered Malaysia illegally from various countries. So, it is necessary to call for the release of all illegal workers detained in Malaysia. The government has detained them without discrimination in accordance with the law.”

Illegal workers in Malaysia were allowed to return home or stay and apply for work permits for two years but the process was scrapped in June.

NUG officials at a meeting.

Since then, Malay authorities have cracked down on illegal workers but the public has become aware of the arrests after a video clip about detaining illegal workers on 9th August went viral on social media.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the National Unity Government announced that it had filed an appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia about Myanmar illegal workers detained on 9th August in Malaysia.

U San Win told the CNI, “It all depends on the Malaysia government. They might be lenient with the illegal workers. If they are not, they will take action against them. If the appeal is successful, Myanmar illegal workers may get lenient treatments and can even get official work permits. I want my nationals to be freed after being fined.”

Malaysia has detained over 10,000 illegal workers form various countries and 115 illegal workers arrested on 9th August were Myanmar nationals.

Malay authorities detain illegal workers.

If those who legally work in Malaysia are arrested, their employers can take them out of custody but no one can apply for bail for illegal workers.

Illegal workers in Malaysia can face at least six months’ prison terms depending on their offences.

As Malay authorities apply strict laws against illegal workers, labour activists have urged Myanmar nationals to come and work in Malaysia legally.

Hnalonehla Blood Donors’ Charity has also advised Myanmar nationals not to come to Malaysia illegally until the end of August.

CNI News

9 August 2022

After the Central Bank of Myanmar hiked the official exchange rate of US$ against MMK from MMK 1,850 per US$ to MMK 2,100 per US$, the demand for onions grew and prices rose to as much as MMK 2,000 per viss.

The demand for onions, which was very low in July, grew starting from 8th August and most traders were buying onions for export to Thailand and Vietnam, U Hla Thaung, a member of Pakokku Township Merchants and Brokers Association, told the CNI.

U Hla Thaung said, “The demand for onions is growing. Merchants from Myawady and exporters to Vietnam purchased onion after the CBM raised the official exchange rate from MMK 1,850 to MMK 2,100 per US$. When the official exchange rate was set at MMK 1,850 per US$, the sales slowed down. The demand for onions was very low in July. With the MMK 2,100 per US$ exchange rate, exporters in Myawady can get profits. Two truckloads of onions I am going to sell fetch MMK 2,000, MMK 1,925 and MMK 1900 per viss. Onion prices are likely to increase depending on the demand from Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange in Yangon.”

Workers load onions onto a truck.

As onions harvested in Monywa are of higher quality than Pakokku onions, they fetch as much as MMK 2,200 per viss, according to brokerage houses and commodity exchanges.

Currently, most onion farmers from villages were selling their onions to brokerage houses in towns but some farmers were still waiting to get more than MMK 2,000 per viss, said U Kyaw Sein, an onion merchant.

U Kyaw Sein told the CNI, “Myanmar is in a shortage of one month’s consumption of onions before the new harvest. When onions are in short supply, prices are likely to rise a little. Most of the onions entering the market are from farmers in villages. Those who store onions in towns are still waiting to get higher prices. I think they will sell their onions when prices rise to nearly MMK2,000 per viss.”

During the last two years, onion farmers and merchants suffered losses due to political situation and COVID and they had to sell their onions at MMK 100 per viss.

  Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange in Yangon.

U Hla Thaung said that merchants who stored onions would sell their onions as it was profitable for them.

“Onion merchants will not suffer losses at current onion prices. It cost them about MMK 1,000 to store a viss of onions including labour and storage costs and damage losses. So, they can sell their onion at prices above MMK 1,700 per viss but some of them are still waiting to get as much as MMK 2,000 per viss. As they suffered losses for two consecutive years, a large volume of onions will enter the market at MMK 2,000 per viss,” U Hla Thaung told the CNI.
Merchants guessed that onion prices would further rise. However, commodity prices tend to change based on prices in Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange.

On 8th August in Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange, Monywa onions fetched as much as MMK 2,200 per viss while the prices of those from other regions stood between MMK 1,450 and MMK 2,000 per viss.