CNI News

14 Oct 2022

The Union Election Commission warned the Arakan National Party to comply with existing laws, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla told the CNI.

On 29th September, the ANP issued a statement on hardship of local residents caused by resumption of fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.

It was learnt that the UEC summoned the ANP official because it considered the statement one-sided.

U Thar Tun Hla told the CNI, “They summoned us over our statement issued on 29th September and explained that the statement failed to respect certain provisions of the Political Parties Registration Law and that it was one-sided. They told us to comply with the constitution and rules when we issued further statements and not to issue statements contrary to the law. They seemed to have been informing or warning us of that. We explained out stance on the situation.”

A map showing armed conflicts between the military and the AA in Rakhine State.

The statement strongly condemned fighting in residential areas, civilian causalities and damage to property caused by heavy weapon rounds of the Myanmar military.

Moreover, the statement urged authorities to lift restrictions imposed on INGOs, NGOs and CSOs, which are delivering humanitarian aid to local residents, saying that banning travels in conflict areas as well as in areas which were not affected by fighting amounted to intimidating the livelihood of local residents of all ethnic groups.

 A junction in Rakhine State.

U Thar Tun Hla added, “Our statement just reflected the current grievances caused by the resumption of clashes in Rakhine State and we believe that it is our responsibility as a political party to voice the suffering of the public and we need to issue statements to protect our people. Although they expressed their concerns, we explained that we needed to issue such a statement.”

Armed clashes between the Myanmar military and the ULA/AA have resumed since September after almost two years of hiatus.

The clashes displaced 6,167 people in August and September, according to the AA.

CNI News

13 Oct 2022

A Toyota auto company in Thilawa Industrial Zone launched the sale of Hilux Double Cab vehicles it assembled during the last two years, according to sources in the market.

The sale has eased the exorbitant prices of Hilux Double Cabs in the market, Chairman U Min Min Maung of Yangon Region Automobile Manufacturers and Distributors Association told the CNI.

He said, “Toyota vehicles are not manufactured in Myanmar. The company is selling vehicles that were assembled during the past two years because their models will be outdated if it continues to keep them in garages. It is selling Hilux Double Cabs. The prices of a Hilux Double Cab rose over MMK 200 million recently. The company is selling them at MMK 170 million but the number of vehicles to be sold is not many. It does not accept pre-orders and cannot tell the delivery date exactly. So, the sale does not have impacts on vehicle prices. However, the prices of Hilux Double Cabs dipped below MMK 200 million.

A Toyota double cab. (GETTY IMAGES)

Currently, the sale does not have impacts on prices of other vehicles. The company is not selling them at previous prices. It sells a Hilux Double Cab at MMK 170 million at the current exchange rate. However, rising car prices have stagnated. It augurs well for buyers.”

Toyota sales agents in Myanmar started accepting orders for Hilux vehicles on 11th October, according to a news report from Nikkei Asia.

However, a Toyota sale agent told the Japanese news agency that precise delivery dates could not be guaranteed as the number of vehicles to be assembled was limited.

Most auto companies, which import parts and assemble them under the SKD system, have suspended their operations due to import policies of the government and exchange rate discrepancies.
Vehicles manufacturing operations can resume if the Ministry of Commerce issues import permits, said U Min Min Maung.

Toyota Motors Corporation. (GETTY IMAGES)

More than 10 companies in Myanmar assembled vehicles such as Suzuki, Hyundai, Jetour, Nissan, KIA and Ford under the SKD system.

Yangon Region Automobile Dealers Association Chairman U Aung Than Oo told the CNI, “The prices of vehicles in the market have been stable for over a month after prices nosedived dramatically. When the prices of US dollars rose from MMK 3,000 per US$ to MMK 4,000 per US$, many people rushed to buy vehicles and sellers could set the prices as much as they wanted. Vehicle prices almost doubled. When vehicle prices rose significantly, businessmen resold their cars. As people do not want to hold cash, they buy vehicles and gold. People who had MMK 500 million invest MMK 300 million in the automobile market and try to resell the cars they bought. Currently, they could not resell their cars and have to keep them. So, their profits are dwindling. At present, people have stopped buying cars and resellers may suffer losses.”

The government has stopped issuing vehicle import permits due to shortages of US dollars since October 2021.

Prices in the vehicle market change depending on market exchange rates and the prices will rise only after the government resumes issuing permits for vehicles and parts to assemble cars under the SKD system, according to vehicle import policy experts.

CNI News

13 Oct 2022

Duwa Lashi La, the acting president of the National Unity Government, has vowed to crush any attempts to hold elections by the State Administration Council.

He told the NUG meeting on 11th October that the SAC hoped to use the 2023 elections as their exit from the political crisis and measures must be taken to ensure that the SAC had no escape route from the current crisis.

The acting president said, “It is evident that the SAC has aimed to use the 2023 election as their political exit. We can also see that they have reshuffled the leadership in the military-proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party to be compatible with their plans. We must respond very carefully so that the SAC has no political exit. We are taking pragmatic steps to respond to the 2023 elections to be held by the junta.
Measures beyond the complete sabotage, objection and denial of recognition are being taken into consideration.”

  An NUG meeting.

Then, he added that the outcomes of the military coup aggravated the situation and delivering aid directly to the public was limited although the international community is offering assistance.

If elections could not be held in 2023, the country would fall back under military rule, Secretary Maing Ohn Khaing of the Ta’ang National Party told the CNI.

He said, “Under the current circumstances, the country will be in so many crises. It is difficult to predict what will happen. Everything depends on whether the elections will take place or not. If elections are impossible, the country will fall back to military rule. It is too early to predict anything because no one is dead sure that the elections are impossible.”

Some political observers have questioned how to respond to the unfathomable absolute military rule if the election could not be held and the junta could not be overthrown.

Election results are being announced.

The junta seized power from the government of the National League for Democracy on 1st February, 2021 and declared a state of emergency, accusing the latter of forming a new government without settling voters’ lists disputes in the 2020 general election.

Since then, the National Unity Government and the People Defence Force have taken up arms to topple the junta and have urged all to boycott the elections to be held by the SAC.

However, SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing promised a new general election in August, 2023 to transfer power to the winning party.

CNI News

13 Oct 2022

More than 10,000 guests visited Chaungtha and Ngapali beaches during the Thadingyut Holiday and Chaungtha beach received the largest number of tourists, according to statistics released by the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.

Chaungtha beach greeted a total of 10,201 holiday makers including 3,022 guests on 8th, 3,142 guests on 9th, 1,794 guests on 10th and 2,243 guests on 11th October.

Therefore, compared with the statistics in 2021, the number of tourists increased this year, Staff Officer U Naing Aung of the Chaungtha Branch of the DHT told the CNI.

  Travelers during the Thadingyut holiday.

He said, “Last year, the beach welcomed 1,976 people on the first day, 1,961 people on the second day and 1,139 people on the third day of the holiday. Compared with the statistics last year, we received more visitors this year. Normally, about 1,000 people visit the beach on weekends and on weekdays, there are about 400 or 500 visitors to the beach. It takes about five hours to travel from Yangon to Pathein. It is a short trip compared to other destinations. People from towns in Ayeyarwady Region can even visit the beach on a day return trip. Easy access matters. It is one of the most easily accessible destinations.”

During the period from 7th to 10th October, a total of 24 flights landed at the airport near Ngapali beach, bringing 1,498 domestic tourists and 107 foreign tourists.

Compared with statistics during the Thingyan holiday, the number of tourists dropped during the recent holiday, Director U Tin Tun Aung of Rakhine State DHT told the CNI.

  Travelers during the Thadingyut holiday.

He said, “About 48 or 49 percent of hotel rooms were occupied but the number of tourists during the recent holiday was not as many as that during the Thingyan holiday. Most people have to rely on flight to visit the beach. Moreover, Thadingyut is a religious holiday, so more people chose to visit Bagan during the holiday. Tourists visiting here during holiday were people who pursue recreation. Tourists spread to all destinations in the entire country. The situation has improved. The rainy season has not ended in October. So, flights cannot fully be operated at present. When October is over, more flights will be scheduled and more visitors will come to us.”

Among 107 foreign tourists who visited Ngapali beach, there were no Russian tourists and only 26 foreigners with tourist visas visited the beach.

Tour operators have expected that more guests will go to tour destinations during the upcoming Tazaungdaing, Christmas and New Year holidays in November and December.

CNI News

13 Oct 2022

The Kinmonchaung Mountain Passenger Station at the Kyaikhityoe (Golden Rock) pagoda came under attack in the morning of 12th October and three civilians were killed and 19 others were injured during the attack, according to the information team of the SAC.

A joint force of KNLA Brigade (1) and the People Defence Force arrived at the station on a vehicle in the morning of 12th October and carried out the attack with heavy weapons and small arms before withdrawing to the direction of Saungnainggyi Village, according to the press release.

A map showing the area that comes under attack issued by the SAC.

During the attack, three women were killed and 19 others including nine males and 10 females were injured. The injured were brought to the People’s Hospital in Kyaikhto.

A vendor at the passenger station said, “It is true that the station was attacked but we don’t know who carried it out. Some were killed and others were injured.”

The KNLA and the NUG had not released any information about the attack until 3 pm on 12th October.

CNI News

11 Oct 2022

As Malaysian authorities have announced a fresh general election and illegal migrants in Malaysia are likely to face more arrests, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia have warned them of the risk, the organizations told the CNI.

Secretary Steven of the Alliance of Chin Refugees told the CNI, “Authorities usually make more arrests of migrant workers whenever elections are around the corner. So, it is likely that they will make more arrests this year. Illegal migrants should be very careful with everything including visiting outside and choosing jobs and accommodations. If authorities receive address where illegal workers, they will make arrests in cooperation with immigration officers. Arrests made by the police are not the same as those made by immigration officers. They will launch operations here and there. Immigration officers want to show that they are working hard to target illegal migrants. They should keep their eyes and ears wide open.”

Migrant workers arrested by Malay authorities. (The Star)

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Parliament would be dissolved to pave the way for earlier elections.

Aljazeera quoted the prime minister as saying fresh elections would be announced within 60 days after dissolution of the parliament.

Therefore, it is speculated that elections are likely to be held in November or December and operations to arrest illegal migrants will be launched during the campaign, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia said.

During such operations, authorities tend to arrest all illegal migrants including holders of cards issued by ethnic organizations as well as by the UNHCR, Director General U Nyi Nyi Lwin of the CAR told the CNI.

Migrant workers arrested by Malay authorities. (Asia News)

He said, “Immigration officers even arrest UNHCR card holders and those who have passports as well as undocumented migrants. Then, they detain all migrant workers. Some of their employers have to come to immigration departments for the release of their workers by showing their passports and work permits. However, some employers do not want to talk with authorities and do not show up for their workers. So, they leave their workers by themselves at the detention centres. UNHCR card holders can also contact the UNHCR office. Those who hold cards issued ethnic communities will not be released.”

Therefore, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia have urged Myanmar migrant workers not to go out or involve in drinking brawls at night.

They also urged Myanmar workers who are officially working in Malaysia to bring their official documents with them.

CNI News

11 Oct 2022

The public has to bear the brunt of politics and war, RCSS/SSA spokesperson Maj Sai Kham San told the CNI.

As political issues are sensitive, challenges faced by the public should be taken into consideration, he added.

He told CNI, “Political issues are sensitive. Some politicians make assessments from the political perspective alone. They may have differing views and may not be optimistic. Some analysts make assessments from the military perspective alone. However, younger people, the public and monks are not well versed in politics. Such assessments may discourage them. There are differing views n social media.

Assessments should be made from both political and military points of view. The armed struggle is born out of politics. When political dialogue fails, stakeholders take up arms. The public has to bear the brunt of political and military issues. We need to take the basic needs of the people. Only then, will we be able to make assessments that are closer to truth.”

   RCSS troops. (Taifreedom)

Armed clashes have broken out between the RCSS and joint forces of the SSPP and the PSLF/TNLA and the situation has been tense in some areas in Shan State.

Military tensions have escalated due to lack of information exchange, communication and mutual trust among ethnic armed organizations, said Maj Sai Kham San.

He said, “The public is caught in the crossfire and gets into trouble. More and more people are displaced by war. Some people have moved to towns temporarily and become IDPs. Most of them move to border areas. As far as we know, hundreds of people move to border areas with Thailand every day. Hundreds of thousands of people have moved to border areas during the last two or three years of tensions. There are many deserted villages in southern Shan State.”

The RCSS issued a statement on 10th October to urge armed groups in Shan State to solve political issues through political means.

Different armed groups including the RCSS/SSA, the SSPP, the UWSA, the MNDAA, the NDAA, the KIA, the TNLA, the PNLO, the LDU, the AA and militias are active in Shan State.

CNI News

12 Oct 2022

Party leaders are seeking the dissolution of the Union Betterment Party led by Thura U Shwe Mann, according to sources close to the UBP.

The sources said that party leaders are taking steps to deregister the party and further details can be available from U Saw Hla Tun.

U Saw Hla Tun, a central executive committee member and the chairman Sagaing Region UBP, posted on his official social media on 11th October that party leaders are taking steps to deregister the party.

  The social media post of U Saw Hla Tun.

The Union Election Commission was informed of the deregistration on 11th October, sources close to the party said.

The UBP registered with the UEC on 8th April, 2019 and received the approval from the UEC on 25th April.

It contested the 2020 general election in the entire country but did not win any seat.

Founders of the party include Thura U Shwe Mann, who left the Union Solidarity and Development Party.

Political parties are in crisis as they will have to decide whether to contest the 2023 general election to be held by the SAC. If they decide to take part in the elections, they will have to suffer the consequences but their party registrations will be cancelled by the UEC if they do not.

CNI News

7 Oct 2022

The number of travelers has doubled during the Thadingyut Holiday, according to bus transportation services in Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal.

Although there were only about 20 passengers a day at normal times, highway bus transportation services are now receiving a full busload of passengers, an official from Crown Highway Bus Transportation Service told the CNI.

He said, “The number of passengers at our bus service has significantly increased. At normal times, we had only about 20 passengers on a bus. Now, we are receiving full bus loads or more than 40 passengers on a bus. The number of passengers has doubled during the holiday.”

Yangon Region Private Transportation Supervisory has warned highway bus transportation services against increasing bus fares during the holiday.

Although highway bus transportation services do not increase bus fares, some ticketing agencies and ticket brokers have raised bus fares, the bus service official said.

The entrance to Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal. (CNI/Archive) 

Some highway bus transportation services have sold out all tickets for trips between 6^th to 9^th October.

Manager Ma Kyawt Kyawt Thet of the JJ Express told the CNI, “As it was the rainy season last month, only a few people travelled. Now, some people return to their natives during the Thadingyut Holiday. The number of passengers has been rising since 5^th October. It is too early to say exactly as it is just the beginning. We have sold out all tickets for trips on 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th and 9^th October.

It was easy to buy highway bus tickets, Ko Tun Min, who is travelling to Taunggyi, told the CNI.

“There is no difficulty in buying tickets. We ordered tickets for the whole group. It costs MMK 30,000 to buy a ticket to PyinOoLwin and Taunggyi,” he said.

During the pandemic, only a few travelled and highway bus services had to rely mainly on freight transportation. Bus services are now reducing the freight services as the number of passengers has increased, according to bus services.