CNI News

22 Sept 2022

As fighting has broken out in areas where monsoon paddy is mainly grown in Rakhine, local residents have fled from their regions, abandoning their farms, paddy yields may drop this year, farmers told the CNI.

Although monsoon paddy is grown in the entire country, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Buthidaung, Rathedaung and Kyuaktaw are the main townships where paddy is grown. However, military tensions between the United League of Arakan/ Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw are running high in the areas and local residents have fled their homes.

A Rakhine farmer.

U Min Oo, a farmer from Rakhine State, told the CNI, “It is time for farmers who grew monsoon paddy to feed fertilizers to their crops but they have been displaced by armed conflicts and cannot take care of the crops. So, paddy yields may drop during the harvest. It was necessary for them to irrigate their farms and use pesticides but they were displaced and left the farm. It is sure that the yields will decrease.”

Farmers in the state had faced shortages of inputs even before the armed conflicts and the situation worsened when armed conflicts resumed, according to local residents.
Currently, it costs MMK 700,000 to buy a barrel of diesel and local residents are worried about blockades of roads and waterways as the fighting has escalated, farmer U Aung Kyaw Mya told the CNI.

He said, “We have difficulty carrying fertilisers, diesel and paddy. It is the side effects of the war, which have enormous impacts on farmers and the public. If the fighting expands, farmers will not be able to do their farming activities properly and will have a bad harvest.”

IDPs in Rakhine State.

As the paddy harvested in the state is consumed mainly in Rakhine State, falling crop yields will have an enormous impact on local residents and farmers, U Min Oo told the CNI.

“This will have a direct impact. Farmers were able to cultivate only about half of their land and about 50 percent of the cultivated farm were destroyed by droughts. And then, we could not feed enough fertilizer for our crops. Again, we had to leave ourselves when we were displaced. So, rice prices will be doubled next year. Rakhine State may not even have self-sufficiency of rice next year,” he said.

In 2017-18, farmers in Rakhine State suffered losses due to fighting between the Tatmadaw and the AA and were not able to repay agricultural loans.

CNI News

22 Sept 2022

As the number of people who travel from one place to another has dramatically decreased, highway bus services are struggling for survival, Ko Myo Aung, a ticket-seller from Sun Group Highway Bus Service at Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal, told the CNI.

Ticket sales have dropped since the first wave of COVID-19 and the public has recently avoided road transportation due to political instabilities, forcing highway services to fight for continued existence.

Ko Myo Aung said, “We can sell very few tickets each day. Only about three passengers come to buy tickets. Before the pandemic and the political crisis, we could sell 30 to 40 tickets every day at this time of the year. The pandemic and the crisis have changed everything.

Some highway bus services have suspended their operations since oil prices have skyrocketed, according to owners of passenger transportation services.

Domestic tourists in Bagan (GETTY IMAGES)

To overcome the problem, highway passenger services transported goods from one town to another but the freight service has also come to a halt recently, an official from the Golden Globe Highway Bus Service at the Aung San Stadium told the CNI.

He said, “In the past, we earned MMK 1 million to MMK 1.2 million for transporting goods on a route. Now, goods for transport have dried up. Every highway bus service, including those at the top, is struggling to survive the crisis. we are trying to survive in such a situation.”

As transportation services were forced to reduce the number of vehicles, some drivers lost their jobs, according to the official from the Golden Globe Highway Bus Service.

He said, “As we ply between Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi, we accept all the goods to be transported from Yangon to Mandalay and Taunggyi. Now, we can operate only one bus for the route.”

People rarely travel recently due to the declaration of a state of emergency, resurgence of COVID-19 and spread of armed conflicts in many regions and states.

As a result, highway passenger bus services are struggling for their survival.

CNI News

21 Sept 2022

Russian investment should be attracted to the garment industry to create job opportunities for Myanmar nationals, said local entrepreneurs and economists.

A Myanmar delegation led by SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the East Asian Economic Forum held in Russia on 7th September, 2022 and invited Russian businessmen to invest in Myanmar.

Economic observer U Aung Pyae Sone told the CNI that he hoped that Russian companies would invest in the garment sector, which can create job opportunities for a strong workforce in Myanmar.

He said, “Our country has a large number of workers. They have to go to work in other countries like Malaysia. The minimum wage is set at MMK 4,800 a day. If other countries set up factories in Myanmar, our workers can get MMK 6,000 to 8,000. However, Russian investors are not interested in establishing factories and they are looking forward to investing in the mining and oil and gas sectors.”

  A garment factory worker.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and an agreement to cooperate in the nuclear sector was signed during the visit.

He invited Russian companies to invest in many sectors including oil and gas, construction, hotels and tourism and discussed imports of fuel oil from Russia, launching direct flights between the two countries.

An economist, who did not want to be named, said Russian companies are interested in investing in the oil and gas sector in Myanmar.

He told the CNI, “I don’t think they will invest in the manufacturing sector. Myanmar invited them to invest in the oil and gas sector. Exports from the garment sector head to the US, Europe and Japan, which imposed sanctions on Russia. So, it is difficult for Russia to export garments to other countries.”

Currently, Myanmar has faced political instabilities and has not adopted precise foreign investment policies. So, it is difficult to attract new investment while existing foreign investors are leaving Myanmar.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and President Putin

U Aung Pyae Sone said, “The government should offer tax exemption for five or ten years for investors who set up factories. Another factor is that it must also adopt stable policies. The most serious impediment for attracting foreign investment in Myanmar is that it does not have stable policies for factories that are important for the economy. We should be able to give protection for factories by adopting precise policies. Only then, will the number of factories increase in Myanmar and Myanmar workers will get jobs and their wages will increase. So, the government should adopt precise policies to attract foreign investment in the manufacturing sector.”

The SAC has invited foreign companies in the grain export and energy sectors.

Economic observers expect that oil and gas companies, mining companies and hotel and tour companies from Russia will invest in Myanmar.

CNI News

20 Sept 2022

The United League of Arakan/AA might have said that it was endeavouring to establish an Arakha government to boost the morale of its people, Col Khun Okkar, an EAO leader, told the CNI.

He said he did not want to make any remarks on the comment but explained that the leader of the AA once said they were fighting for the confederation status.

Col Khun Okkar told the CNI, “It was the comment they made and I don’t want to make any remarks on that. They once officially said they were fighting for confederation status. They might have changed tone to achieve higher status than confederation, I am not sure. However, they might have tried to boost the morale of their people during the military escalation. It is difficult to make remarks on the comment.”

ULA/AA Spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha said they empathized with Bengali refugees, who were forced to flee to Bangladesh en masse and urged the government of Bangladesh, the UN and world powers to stand together with the AA by offering full support to solve the problems.

AA Spokesperson U Khaing Thukha at the press briefing on 19^th September, 2022.

 He said that the ULA/AA was endeavouring to establish an Arakha government at a press briefing on 19th September.

Col Khun Okkar said, “That is not new. When an ethnic group or an organization has some strength, they tend to aim higher. About 30 years ago, the Karenni National Progressive Party and the Karen National Union used to chant such slogans. Then, chairman druglord Khun Sa even talked about the independence of Shan State. Taking a glimpse at the history, one can see that some organizations and ethnic groups used to make such comments. Nowadays, some organizations are taking the same trend again.``

In 2019, AA Commander-in-Chief Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing said that they aimd to achieve the self-administration status similar to that Wa Self-Administered Region in Shan State.

Currently, the ULA/AA is enjoying a widespread support of the people and fighting has broken out between the AA and the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

20 Sept 2022

Large numbers of guests have booked hotel rooms in Bagan in Nyaung-U Township, Mandalay Region and at Ngapali beach in Thandwe in Rakhine State for Thadingyut Festival holiday, according to hoteliers there.

An official from the Ngapali Paradise Hotel said, “We have received a large number of bookings. Some hotels have been fully booked. Most guests booked hotel rooms for three-day on 8^th, 9^th and 10^th October. The guests are from a social class that is indifferent to the political situation. Guests are returning to us for the festival. However, the number of guests will not be as high as that during the Thingyan Festival. As the Thingyan holiday was two-week long, there were more bookings.”

Holiday-makers are booking rooms for the Thadingyut Festival from 8^th to 10^th October and most of them are booking rooms for 9^th and 10 October.

Currently, hotels have been forced to rely on holidays because no bookings are made for off-festival days, an official from a hotel in Bagan told the CNI.

Tourists in Bagan Region.

“During off-festival days, occupancy rate drops to about 20 to 25 percent and there is no booking at all. Currently, we are handling a large number of bookings. However, occupancy rates have not returned to pre-pandemic levels,” he said.

The number of domestic tourists has not reached previous levels but tour operators expect that some domestic tourists will visit pilgrimage sites and beaches.

There would be some domestic tourists who visited Bagan without making bookings during the Thidingyut holiday, Chairman U Zaw Wate of Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI.

“As fuel prices have dropped a little by MMK 200 to MMK 300 per litre, there will be some more guests during the holiday. The number of guests will be higher during the holiday than now. There will be a large number of them. We have to rely on weekends and holidays because guests can come here only on those days. At present, there are only a few guests at hotels. Some hotels have only one or two rooms occupied. Handicraft shops are not making a lot of money at present. However, handicraft sellers at pagodas are in business again. They sell earrings and paintings. Myanmar guests cannot afford large lacquerwares from big lacquer shops,” he said.

Domestic tourist arrivals in Ngapali Beach in Thandwe in Rakhine State increased during the Thingyan festival this year and set a post-pandemic record. However, the number of domestic tourists would not be as many as that during the Thingyan festival, Director U Tin Tun Aung of Rakhine State Hotels and Tourism Ministry told the CNI.

A hotel in Ngapali Beach.

“Everyone wants to welcome domestic tourists in the upcoming dry season. We expect the same and hotels are making ready for them. As it is the season they must resume their operations, no one has decreased their efforts. Everyone is preparing for the upcoming season. During the Thingyan festival when the number of COVID-19 cases had dropped dramatically, many guests were crowded at the only place they could travel safely,” he explained.

During the Thingyan holiday from 9^th to 17^th April, domestic tourist arrivals to Rakhine state hit more than 15,000 and most of them travelled to Sittwe and Thandwe, according to the statistics of the Rakhine State Hotels and Tourism Ministry.

Moreover, only about 1,000 pilgrims visit Bagan during weekdays but on weekends, the number rises to 1,500 pilgrims, according to the Hotels and Tourism Ministry (Bagan Branch).

On festival days, more than 2,500 pilgrims visit Bagan, especially to the Shwezigon Pagoda, the Bu Pagoda and the Arnanda Pagoda.

CNI News

19 Sept 2022

Although the hotels and tourism sector of Myanmar is trying to attract Russian tourists, hotels and restaurants in the country are not ready to serve Russian cuisines, according to entrepreneurs.

As only a few Russian tourists visited the country, Russian food is almost unavailable in Myanmar and it is still necessary to conduct courses on Russian cuisines. However, the hospitality industry in Myanmar is struggling for survival so hard that it cannot take up another task, Chairman U Zaw Wate of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI.

He said, “First, we will have to discuss the issue with restaurant associations and master chefs because they know Russian cuisines and tastes. It is a good idea to conduct Russian food preparation courses. However, I don’t think they will be able to do this. Businessmen in Myanmar are farsighted. If they see potential, they try very hard. However, they can’t do anything at present. They couldn’t do anything for the past three years. They are struggling very hard to survive.”

The Azura Beach Resort. (Justice for Myanmar)

There are restaurants serving Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and European foods in Myanmar but Russian cuisines are almost unavailable.

As a majority of restaurants rely mainly on domestic consumers, they are not interested in Russian food, Chairman U Nay Lin of Yangon Restaurants Association told the CNI.

He said, “We have nothing to do with the matter. At present, we are still struggling to survive with local customers. So, we are not interested in the plan. When Russian tourists come to us, we will take it into consideration.”

Russian cuisine.

Entrepreneurs said they would conduct courses on preparing Russian cuisines and catering service but it would take some time if Russian tourists came to Myanmar en messe.

Necessary preparations would be made to provide satisfactory services to Russian tourists, Chairman U Zaw Wate of Bagan Hotel Zone told the CNI.

Scenic view of Bagan.

He said, “We understand how to provide services to tourists from other countries like Korea but we don’t know much about the Russian market because only one or two of them visited our country in the past. We will have to hire Russian chefs and conduct courses on Russian cuisines. Hotels and restaurants are eager to serve Russian tourists. When direct flights have been launched and Russian tourists visit our county, we will try as much as we can to provide services for them.”

The SAC is trying to promote Russia-Myanmar economic as well as tourism cooperation while negotiations are underway to launch direct flights between the two countries.

Russian language courses are being conducted for the tourism sector.

CNI News

19 Sept 2022

The Pa-O National Federal Council has called for action against members of the Pa-O National Organizations/Pa-O National Army who abducted and killed five soldiers from the Pa-O National Liberation Organization/Pa-O National Liberation Army.

In a statement issued on 15^th September, the PNLO/PNLA accused the PNO/PNA of abduction and murder of its five troops in Warpyone Village, Pinmon Village-tract in Pinlaung Township, Pa-O Self-Administered Zone in Shan State (South) without any reason.

The PNFC also issued a statement, saying “To ensure justice for the victims, the central committee of the PNLO/PNLA is urged to ensure responsibility and accountability and take action against those who committed the killing.”

U Khin Myint Tun attends a conference of EAOs in Maijaryan in 2016.

The PNFC called on the PNO/PNA not to repeat the heinous act that violated international ethics, set bad examples in the history of the Pa-O people and hurt the interests of the Pa-O people under the false pretenses of regional security.

The PFNO called on all stakeholders in the Pa-O area to prevent conflicts between the Pa-O people and other ethnic groups, territorial disputes under the false pretenses of security and racial conflicts among ethnic groups.

The PNO/PNA was accused of killing Khun Tun Oo (deputy platoon commander), Khun Shein (deputy squad commander) and three privates including Khum Than Pe, Khun Kyal Sin and Khun Ye Naung without any grudge, according to the statement issued by the PNLO/PNLA.

Current PNLO Chairman Khun Thurein and U Khun Myint Tun. 

The PNLO/PNLA is a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and active in Hsehsai, Hopong, Mawkmai in Shan State (South).

The PNO/PNA is an ethnic armed group that signed a peace agreement with the Tatmadaw in 1991. The Tatmadaw allowed the group to establish a self-administered area called Special Region–6.

In 2010, the group changed its name to the PNO/PNA and registered a political party called the PNO with the Union Election Commission.

The PNFC is a civil society organization chaired by U Khun Myint Tun, a former chairman of the PNLO/PNLA.

CNI News

19 Sept 2022

Dr. Nyo Tun Aung, the deputy commander-in-chief of the United League of Arakan/ Arakan Army, said he had discussed cooperation with the United Wa State Army.

He told a press briefing on 19th September that representatives of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee met in Pangsang ( Pangkham), the headquarters of the UWSA, and discussed further consolidating the cooperation among the members.

Dr Nyo Tun Aung said, “The FPNCC is not a military alliance but a political coalition. We discussed the current political situation in Myanmar and explained tasks being carried out by individual organizations to consolidate the cooperation among the members. We exchanged views on situations in Myanmar and Rakhine State. The focus of the discussion was to strengthen the cooperation among us and further cementing friendship with new generation Wa leaders.

Members of the FPNCC meet in Pangang (Pangkham). (The Kokang)

The coalition had to postpone its in-person meetings for some time due to COVID-19 and has now resumed them.

Dr. Nyo Tun Aung added, “The FPNCC meeting was not new. Ours is a member of the coalition and I am currently performing my duties as an in-charge at the office of the FPNCC. We were not able to meet in person for some time and the recent meeting was just like our regular meetings before the pandemic. No special issue was discussed during the meeting. We just talked about political cooperation.”

The FPNCC is made up of the UWSA, the AA, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Shan State Progressive Party, the Kachin Independence Army and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army.

UWSA leader Bao Youxiang and an MNDAA leader. (The Kokang)

However, representatives of the KIA failed to show up at the recent meeting.

All these EAOs are not signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and negotiations are underway to sign the NCA.

Three members of the FPNCC, the UWSA, the NDAA and the SSPP have joined peace talks with the SAC while the remaining two EAOs, the AA and the KIA, are at war with the SAC in Rakhine State, Kachin State, Sagaing Region and Shan State (North)

CNI News

18 Sept 2022

If the 8-state solution is adopted for building a union, peace cannot be achieved, Central Executive Committee Member Sao Khun Kyaw Win of the Pa-O National Organization told the CNI.

He added that the 8-state solution can even aggravate the situation in Shan State.

Saw Khun Kyaw Win told CNI, “In my opinion, peace will never be achieved if the 8-state solution is pursued. Political negotiations will never take place. In Shan State, it will exacerbate the situation. Territorial control of each ethnic group in Shan State is known to all. If the 8-state solution is approved by all, armed conflicts and ethnic issues in Shan State cannot be resolved. Moreover, the PNO has held national political dialogue in Hopone because it is one of the ethnic groups permitted to do so. We have adopted a policy to establish a new state. The policy is not just for the Pa-O ethnic group. The new state may not be established not on the ethnic line like Pa-O, Palaung or Wa but on the population of each ethnic group. I think we should adopt such a policy.”

Ethnic peoples in Maijaryan.

At the end of February, 2020, representatives from 12 armed organizations met in Chiang Mai and agreed to build a federal union based on the 8-state solution.

However, it was only viable to implement the 8-state solution and the rest would be realized later, Kachin Politician U Kwam Gaung Aung Kham told the NCI.

He said, “It is viable that we implement the 8-state solution based on the 1947 constitution and consider what should be done later. It depends on their abilities.”    

The demand to establish a state for the Bamar ethnic group reflected an ultranationalist point of view, Political Analyst U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

A ceremony to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement of eight ethnic armed organizations on 15^th October, 2015.

He said, “I think the demand to establish a Bamar state amounts to casting different realities into the same mold and reflects an ultranationalist point of view. Every ethic group must have to right to decide its own fate and equality but it is impossible to cast different realities in the same mold. Some area may become states while others remain as regions and districts. Let’s take the Ta'aung (Palaung) ethnic group as an example. The ethic group does not settle in a single area. If we combine all the areas they settle, we may designate their areas as a district because their areas do not have characteristics of a state. When they have acquired the characteristics, they will become a state. They have the right to establish a state at that time. The 8-state solution is not appropriate for socioeconomic conditions and realities of Myanmar.”

The 8-state solution is based on the concept that the Bamar ethnic group should also have a state like other ethnic groups.

Currently, there are seven regions, seven states, one self-administered region, five self-administered zones and one Nay Pyi Taw Council area under the 2008 constitution.

Ethnic groups like Shanni, Ta’aung, Wa and Pa-ai have also demanded state-status for their areas while Mongla (Special Area-4) has demanded to establish a self-administered zone in areas under its control.