CNI News

13 August 2024

Many Myanmar citizens who were detained in the detainee camps in Malaysia didn't want to come back to Myanmar, those helping in the issues of Myanmar citizens told CNI News. 

The number of Myanmar nationals who have been arrested is large. However, when the Myanmar Embassy came and asked the detainees if they wanted to go home, many of them didn't want to go home, U Barbu Gyi, a person who is helping in the issues of Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, told CNI News.

" I had to know that because the Malaysian officials from the detainee camps told me. The number of Myanmar detainees in a detainee camp who have refused to go back to Myanmar is at least 300. There are many detainee camps in Malaysia. In fact, Myanmar detainees don't dare to go home because of a bad situation in Myanmar. So, they have refused to go home. As long as they refuse to go home, they will be in the detainee camps. There are some human rights in Malaysia. If they didn't agree to go home, the Malaysian authorities wouldn't forcibly send them back." he said.

While seeing job seeker agencies

Although the Malaysian authorities have allowed undocumented foreigners to go home, the number of undocumented foreigners who go home is reportedly very few.

Most Myanmar citizens who have already arrived in Malaysia made work permits through agents and many of them have got fake permits; the Malaysian authorities were arresting more because they wanted to reduce the number of undocumented foreigners, said U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director general of the Center for Arakan Refugees (CAR) told CNI News.

" The current government has a plan that will make illegal workers die out within three years and then the number of foreign workers will be reduced. So, there are so many arrests. An employer has to take his workers out from the detainee camp within 24 hours. If they were three or four days late to take their workers out, the authorities would be very angry. The address of the workplace has been described on the permit. If a worker's workplace is different from that on the permit, he will be arrested with violation of the law. But largely, if he pay 1,000 Ringgit as a fine, he will be released." he said.

While seeing migrant workers who have arrived in Malaysia

A few days ago, officials from the Malaysian immigration department met with the Myanmar Ambassador and discussed matters relating to sending Myanmar detainees back to Myanmar, social and healthcare of Myanmar detainees.

Although the Malaysian authorities issued work permits through employers, workers who don't have employers took work permits through agents.

Workers who took work permits through agents - when they were arrested, because their workplaces were different from those in their work permits, they were sent back to their native countries.

CNI News

13 August 2024

There are discussions and arguments about why the Union Election Commission (UEC) has refused ethnic political parties to establish. 

The UEC released the law and bylaws relating to re-registration of political parties on 31st January, 2023 and stated political parties must register within 60 days.

Many political parties registered and the Arakan National Party (ANP), the Kachin National Congress Party (KNC) and Zomi Congress for Democracy Party (ZCD) were refused to register by the UEC.

The government needed to encourage so as to expand the political framework; he wanted the UEC to reconsider the political parties that were refused to register, Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) told CNI News.

While the Arakan National Party (ANP) was campaigning

" I'm sorry for the parties that were refused to register because after the 2008 Constitution was approved, the authorities persuaded EAOs to surrender their weapons and establish political parties and then to enter the Hluttaw. Some EAOs didn't submit their arms because they didn't believe that. But a Palaung EAO led by U Aik Mone submit weapons and established a political party. But the party doesn't register anymore. If so, the government should help and support the parties so that political framework can be wide. But as it supported the EAOs, they became strong. So, I want the UEC to reconsider the parties that were refused to register. The authorities invited even the rebels that messed with Section 17 (1) to establish parties. The establishment of a political party by those who do not carry weapons should be allowed, I think." he said.

The Chairman of the State Administration Council has said that he was carrying out to hold a general election in 2025 after the census-taking was conducted before the end of this year. 

The ANP was refused to register one year after applying for registration without being informed to meet the requirements, U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the policy steering committee of the ANP, told CNI News.

" The UEC should have negotiated and discussed with our party if our party had requirements. We can't help it if we were not able to amend requirements at all. But if we can amend requirements with a view to the interests of the State, or our nationalities, it can become a solution." he said.

While the UEC was meeting with political parties

The UEC was producing more enemies and refusal of some parties to register was a mistake, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) Col.Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" The UEC is producing more enemies. It must encourage political parties that support the election and accept the multi-party system if it wants a multi-party democratic system to flourish. Because it doesn't encourage the parties, chaos is happening like this. I can't estimate the policies. Refusal of the parties is a mistake, I think." he said.

At present, armed conflicts are taking place across the country. Military framework became wider while political framework became narrower, said the political circles. Over 50 political parties applied for registration and 50 political parties were allowed to register.

CNI News

12 August 2024

China didn't want there to be a war going on in Myanmar and it just hoped to make Myanmar stable again, said spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr.Mao Ning.

She said the above at the regular press conference of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held on 9th August, reported by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar.

She replied that China would support as much as possible for the peace process of Myanmar while AFP News asked her about the Chinese participation in the peace process of Myanmar and about the battles in northern Shan State.

"China, as a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, was always paying attention to the latest developments of northern Shan State and it didn't want there was a war going on in Myanmar; it wanted Myanmar and northern Myanmar to be stable as soon as possible again; China was always mediating and persuading stakeholders to cease fire in its own way and was carrying out for the national unity, stability, development of Myanmar to win as soon as possible; China would actively urge organizations concerned to hold peace talks and support the peace process as much as possible." said Mr. Mao Ning.

While seeing Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China has a lot of investment in gas and oil projects, Kyauk Deepwater Port Project, extraction of copper, extraction of timber, production of rare earth, mining jade and on within Myanmar.

Moreover, China has invested in garment factories, cement plants, nickel producing industries, and is exporting construction materials, electrical products, and consumer goods to Myanmar. And then, China is implementing the BRI project as well.

Battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the opposition armed groups in the areas where their Chinese projects and investments are within Myanmar.

Joint forces from the TNLA, the MNDAA, the AA, the BPLA, the MDY-PDF, the PLA, the KNDF,and the Local PDFs launched the first part of Operation-1027 in northern Shan State on 27th October, 2024.

While seeing the MNDAA hoisting the Kokang flag after capturing Lashio City

And then, the joint forces have been carrying out the second part of Operation-1027 since 25th June, 2024. In the same way, the joint forces are waging Shan-Man Operation with the second part of Operation-1027 in Mandalay Region and opposition armed groups have captured Madaya, Sintku, Mogok, Momeik and Thabeikkyin. Moreover, the news that opposition armed groups are making preparations to attack Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin has come out.

Domestic military and politic analysts are reviewing that China is behind the operations waged by opposition armed groups and it is impossible to capture some towns in Mandalay Region as well as the Northeast Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Lashio, northern Shan State without the help of China.

However, China denied these accusations and said that it was not behind the operations waged by opposition armed groups and did not provide any assistance to the groups.

CNI News

10 August 2024

If some Myanmar people who took permits through agents were arrested, they were not released and were sent back to Myanmar, those who are helping in the issues of Myanmar citizens told CNI News. 

Although the Malaysian authorities issue the permits to the workers who have employers, those who don't have employers make permits through agents.

When those who have taken permits through agents were arrested, because the places described in the permits were different from their workplaces, they were not released and only sent them back to their native countries, U Barbu Gyi, a person who is helping in the issues of Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, told CNI News.

" The workers who took permits through their employers have no problem while those who took permits through agents are facing many problems now. Since the permits were issued, the Malaysian government has allowed application through employers, but not through agents. But some workers takes permits through agents. Now, some agents have problems. Some workers who applied for permits have lost passport books and money. When the workers whose permits were taken through agents were arrested, because their permits are different from their workplaces, some Myanmar workers were sent back to Myanmar." he said.

While Malaysian authorities arrest and bring illegal workers

The Malaysian authorities are reportedly searching and arresting everywhere everyday. Malaysian citizens are supporting arrests by immigration department because there are so many undocumented foreigners in Malaysia.

" There are so many arrests. The Malaysian authorities are investigating at the places where most foreigners are working in mufti. They have recorded through video and photos. When they are sure where undocumented foreigners are, they check and arrest. The authorities arrest undocumented foreigners at some places in mufti. The Malaysian people are supporting these arrests." he said.

A few days ago, officials from Malaysian immigration departments met with Myanmar ambassador and discussed matters relating to sending Myanmar people in the detainee camps back to Myanmar and the detainees' social and healthcare issues, stated the embassy.

That the Malaysian immigration officers went and met with the Myanmar ambassador was possibly because the number of Myanmar citizens who have arrived in the detainee camps was so many.

CNI News

9 August 2024

Political and military analysts are reviewing and discussing about the question whether there is a possibility of disintegration of Myanmar after Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council said that citizens needed to be united to make Myanmar perpetuate. 

World affairs were so complicated that everyone of them must be united to make Myanmar perpetuate and as long as the Tatmadaw and the people existed, Myanmar would exist, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in his speech delivered on the 5th of August, 2024.

" Our people were able to successfully resist foreign invaders and various domestic insurgents that arose through the ages together with the Myanmar Tatmadaw. The people and the people were able to face and overcome internal and external threats. What the people should be careful is that the current world affairs are so complicated that we all need to be united so that Myanmar can perpetuate as long as the world exists. We can only face threats with unity. Our people need to support the Myanmar Tatmadaw so that a just war led by the Myanmar Tatmadaw which sacrificed their lives and sweats through successive ages can win the war. As long as the Tatmadaw and patriotist people exist, Myanmar will exist. We'll carry out to make the country perpetuate." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing the MNDAA force

Battles are widely breaking out across the country because of political disagreements that started on the first of February, 2021 and battles are taking place in the mainland where there were no battles in the past. 

These situations arose because of the strength competition between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and opposition elements, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,TNLA,MNDAA) attacked and captured most towns in northern Shan State during Operation-1027. And then, drones, drop bombs and shock missiles the TNLA and the MNDAA are using have been technologically upgraded; they have obtained technological support from mercenaries, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in his speech on 5th August. 

He could not comment on whether the country would be disintegrated, but the country was in a state of disorder, Mahn Pyi Aung Soe, chairman of the Karen National Democratic Party, told CNI News.

While seeing the TNLA force

" I can't say exactly whether the country will be disintegrated or not. But it's true that the country is in a state of disorder now." he said.

It was necessary to reform some issues of the Myanmar Tatmadaw. Otherwise, the country could be disintegrated, said a political commentator.

" There has been a situation in which the country could be disintegrated. Frankly speaking, it's all because of leadership. What should have done were not done. And military officials from upper level are committing bribery in a big way. So, soldiers from other ranks lost trust in top military officials. If that condition was reformed, it would be convenient." he said.

Various EAOs and armed organizations are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw to win their different goals such as establishment of federal union or a democracy or confederation.

There are no more secession or declaration of independence in modern times and it would be convenient if stakeholders met and compromise, said a political commentator.

While seeing Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing, leader of the AA

Because EAOs might have considerations beyond federalism in 2025, a federal union should be established as soon as possible, said Maj-Gen Gun Maw, vice chairman of the KIA when he met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in 2018.

Moreover, secretary of the TNLA Tar Bone Kyaw urged its ethnic people on 18th August, 2022 that Palaung people must get ready if they had to establish a country of their own in future.

They must start governing at the territories they have controlled with the self-administered system of the self-determination, said General Yawd Serk, chairman of the RCSS at the meeting of the seven NCA signatories held from 17th to 19th March, 2024.

Moreover, they would establish Rakhine State to be a state that was not lower than confederation status after waging battles, said Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing, Commander in Chief of the Arakan Army.

CNI News

9 August 2024

Chinese Special Envoy Mr.Deng Xijun and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) discussed matters relating to Myanmar's domestic peace and border stability in Naypyidaw on 8th August. 

Although the SAC released the meeting like that with the video record in the past, this time photos only were released. So, it was tantamount to the SAC's disliking China, pointed out the political analysts.

However, during the bilateral meeting, matters relating to the peace of Myanmar, border area stability, online gambling, online scams, elimination of illegal businesses and bilateral cooperation were discussed, reported the SAC.

Moreover, preparations for a free and fair multi-party democratic general to be held were reportedly discussed as well. Joint forces from the TNLA, the MNDAA, the BPLA, the PLA, the DPLA and local PDFs attacked and captured the Northeast Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Lashio City, Lashio City, Kyaukme and Nawnghkio, northern Shan State as well as Madaya, Sintku, Momeik and Mogok, Mandalay Region during the second part of Operation-1027.

While the MNDAA captured the Northeast Command

Domestic military and political analysts have believed that China is supporting Operation-1027 behind the scenes. So, diplomatic relations between the SAC and China were bumpy, they pointed out. 

Although the sixth Haigen discussion was planned to hold on 31st July in order to cease fire between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the TNLA, the AA, and the MNDAA, as the Myanmar Tatmadaw replied that it would not be able to attend, the discussion had to be cancelled.

And then, although the sixth Haigen discussion was planned to hold on 8th August again, the Myanmar Tatmadaw replied that it would not be able to attend. So, the 6th Haigen discussion has not been able to be held as yet.

On the other hand, joint forces from the TNLA, the MNDAA and the PDF are reportedly making military preparations to attack Pyin Oo Lwin and Mandalay City. After that, Chinese Specialist Envoy Mr.Deng Xijun arrived in Myanmar suddenly and discussed with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC.

CNI News

9 August, 2024

Myanmar Ambassador and officials from Malaysian Immigration Department met and discussed the issues in relation to sending back Myanmar people who were detained and their social and healthcare issues, stated the Myanmar Embassy. 

The Malaysian immigration met and discussed with Myanmar Ambassador because there were possibly so many Myanmar citizens in the detainee camps, director general of the Center for Arakan Refugees (CAR) U Nyi Nyi Lwin told CNI News.

" As there are so many Myanmar people in the detainee camps, many of them are suffering various deceases. " The activities of the embassy are totally different from the past.  Firstly, it works slowly. Secondly, it can't solve many problems or it can't help. Another thing, Malaysian immigration arrested and imprisoned many Myanmar citizens. There are many Myanmar people who will be sent back to Myanmar. Myanmar citizens are the second most except for Bangladesh. Immigration department alone can't solve the problem. So, they need the help of Myanmar Embassy. So, they went to the Myanmar Embassy to discuss the problem." he said.

While Myanmar workers were being checked

So many Myanmar citizens left for Thailand and Malaysia after political changes in Myanmar.

A lot of foreigners from many countries entered Malaysia and Thailand and Malaysia has become densely populated and jobs are also scarce. 

Because the Malaysian government wanted to reduce the number of foreigners, the Malaysian authorities arrested undocumented foreigners and asked them to go home after making them pay the fine until the end of this year without prosecuting them.

However, because the number of illegal workers who went back to their native countries, the arrests would go on, U Barbu Gyi, who is helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens told CNI News.

while migrant workers were being arrested

" Yesterday, I read a news story that was released by the Malaysian Government. The arrests will go on. The government has given a chance to illegal foreigners that they can go home after paying the fine without being prosecuted until the end of this month during which the arrests will go on. The Malaysian government seems to know how many illegal foreigners there are in Malaysia. The number of illegal foreigners who went back to their native countries has been fewer than the government's estimation. So, the authorities will go on arresting illegal foreigners." he said.

Although the Malaysian government has suspended calling recruits at all, there are still fake demand letters and recruitments by brokers and agents. Moreover, there hs been a sharp increase in the number of ethnic people who arrived in Malaysia to seek refugee status and the UNHCR has not provided any service to them yet.

CNI News

8 August 2024

While battles are severely breaking out in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region, Chinese Special Envoy Mr. 

Deng Xijun will reportedly come to Myanmar on 8th August, according to those close to the Chinese Embassy.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)/ the Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA) joint forces attacked and captured the Northeast Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Lashio, northern Shan State on 3rd August, 2024.

In the same way, the joint forces from the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF), and the Danu People's Liberation Army (DPLA) attacked and captured Kyaukme and Nawnghkio in northern Shan State as well as Mogok, Momeik, Madaya and Sintku in Mandalay Region.

 After that, China planned to hold the sixth Haigen Discussion between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,TNLA,MNDAA). 

However, the Myanmar Tatmadaw replied that it would not be able to attend the discussion that was planned to be held on 8th August. 

While the Myanmar Tatmadaw has replied that it would not be able to attend the discussion, China has planned to send its Special Envoy Mr.Deng Xijun to Myanmar, which was unusual, said a person close to the Chinese Embassy.

" The Chinese Special Envoy will arrive here tomorrow. The Haigen Meeting was held five times. Although the sixth Haigen meeting was planned to be held on 31st July, it was cancelled. And then, the sixth discussion was planned to be held on 8th August again. It's unusual that the Chinese Special Envoy will come to Myanmar on that day. People said that it's not the trip that was made preparations in advance.The three northern allies has asked China for help to make the SAC stop bombing. Overall, it's going to be a very special trip." he said.

The news that the MNDAA, the TNLA, the MDY-PDF, the PDF and the KIA are making preparations to launch offensives to Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin is coming out.

The Chinese Special Envoy last came to Myanmar on 18th June, 2024 and the TNLA, the MNDAA, the MDY-PDF and the BPLA started second part of Operation-1027 on 25th June, 2024 and they have been waging the second part of Operation-1027 up to now.

CNI News

8 August 2024

The Indian Government has approved the Myanmar eight banks to carry out payment by rupee and kyat and being able to pay like that cushions entrepreneurs, economic analysts told CNI News. 

Although Myanmar is carrying out trade payments through Singapore bank, international sanctions have imposed on Myanmar. 

Direct trade is better and if the payable system by rupee and kyat was successful, it would cushion entrepreneurs. But the problem of Myanmar was that exchange rate could not be controlled, an economic analyst told CNI News.

" The problem is that in Myanmar, exchange rate can't be controlled. No matter trade is done by rupee, or baht or yuan, if you pay by kyat, they don't want to receive it. But, after you exported goods, if you buy things with baht or yuan you had received, it would be OK. At any rate, the money obtained from trade is changed into dollars and then, trade. In comparison with that, the system that will be carried out now can reduce steps, risks and costs. So, it will cushions entrepreneurs." he said.

An India-Myanmar border gate

As the Myanmar side proposed 11 banks including Myanmar Economic Bank to carryout out payments by kyat and rupee, the Indian Government approved eight banks. 

They are UAB, CB, Global Treasure Bank, Yoma Bank, Ayeyarwady Farmers Development Bank, Myanmar Citizens Bank, Ayeyarwady Bank and Shwe Development Bank. 

These banks must use the Special Rupee Vostro Account to pay by rupee and kyat for the trade between Myanmar and India.

The Central Bank of Myanmar has released it would go on carrying out to make six remaining banks participate in the process. 

Although Indian rupee is not as widely used as the Chinese yuan, it is stronger than the Russian ruble; allowing like that was better, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

While seeing trucks

" That India accept Myanmar kyat is good. The announcement makes sense. There must be a contract in which the Indian Government must accept Myanmar kyat. Myanmar must accept rupee because all other currencies are stronger than Myanmar kyat. Indian rupee hasn't included in the common currencies in the world. But the Chinese yuan has included. It has taken even the place of Japan." he said.

Myanmar is exporting pulses and other commodities to India while India is exporting medicines and other commodities to Myanmar. 

The Reed Border Gate, No.2 India-Myanmar Border Gate has been temporarily closed by the Indian authorities because of the complaint that dried betels from the Myanmar side were being illegally imported.