CNI News

18 Sept 2022

The civil war that has broken out in Rakhine State reached a turning point of a decisive battle, Brig-Gen Dr. Nyo Tun Aung, the deputy commander-in-chief of the Arakan Army, posted on his social media on 17^th September.

The statement was made in Arakanese language.

Dr Nyo Tun Aung posted, “Are you ready, younger brothers and sisters, who asked me when the decisive battle would take place? I am telling you the time has arrived.”

The AA deputy commander-in-chief made the remarks after meeting with new leaders of the United Wa State Army/United Wa State Party recently.

Currently, military escalations are running high in Maungtaw and Paletwa in Chin State and the Tatmadaw is reinforcing its army, navy and air force.

AA troops.

Due to such reinforcements, the AA announced that they would stop and check operations on roads and waterways.

The AA raided a security camp at the border post 40 and an outpost of No. 352 infantry battalion on 31^st August and 10^th September, 2022.

Similarly, the AA occupied the Tatmadaw camp in Mitu in Paletwa Township on 15^th September.

CNI News

17 Sept 2022

The Malaysia government has failed to protect the rights of MyRC card holders from Myanmar and other countries, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia told the CNI.

The MyRC is a special registration card for refugees in Malaysia and the project was officially launched by the previous Malaysian government. However, MyRC card holders were not legally recognized as refugees on the ground, Vice Chairman Ko Aung Min Thu of the ARRC told the CNI.

He said, “If a MyRC card holder is detained by the police, he is still an illegal migrant and will be charged. It is not legally recognized. The project was launched by the previous government just before the election. So, the new government does not want to recognize it. If a MyRC card holder is detained either by the police or the immigration, the card holder will not get any protection. So, we have to ask for help from the UN and local NGOs for them. Although the previous said the cards were legally recognized, it is not true on the ground.”

Although it was said that holders of both the MyRC card and the UN card would be eligible for health and education assistance from the government and would be allowed to work in factories officially, not everyone gets the opportunities.

Refugee cards issued by the UNHCR. (UNHCR). 

When a MyRC card holder is detained by authorities, he or she will be sentenced in accordance with relevant laws but UN card holders are released even if they are detained.

Refugees in Malaysia should have registration cards that can guarantee their rights, Chief Patron Sayadaw U Ottara of the CAR told the CNI.

He said, “The best way for refugees is to hold refugee cards issued by refugee communities. If they hold such cards, we can ask for help from the UNHCR, an internationally recognized organization. It can be said that MyRC cards are not refugee cards. So, we have never heard that MyRC card holders received assistance at police stations, healthcare centres and in labour disputes.”

Recently, only a few refugees applied for MyRC cards and organizations helping refugees have stopped urging refugees to apply for the cards.

Ko Aung Min Thu of the ARRC said, “Previously, we urged our community card holders to apply for MyRC cards. When they were detained, the cards could not provide any protection. So, we stopped recommending the cards and only a few people applied for them at present. Some MyRC card holders renew their cards because their employers asked them to do so. We do not encourage refugees to apply for the new cards because authorities do not recognize them legally.”

Currently, there are about 10,000 MyRC card holders from Myanmar. Applicants for MyRC cards are required to submit their cards issued by relevant ethnic communities.

CNI News

17 Sept 2022

As onion prices rose dramatically, some merchants imported onion from China but the demand was very low, according to Bayint Naung Commodity Exchange.

About 12 truckloads or more than 300,000 visses of onion were imported and stored in Bayint Naung Commodity Exchange. However, the demand was very low and prices could slip to MMK 1,000 per viss, Chairman U Khin Han of the Myanmar Onion, Garlic & Vegetable Produces' & Exporter Association told the CNI.

He said, “Some merchants thought that the prices could rise further and imported onion from China to get more profits. They have imported about 12 truckloads or 300,000 visses of onion. More onion is on the way. However, the demand was low and the prices dropped to MMK 2,600 per viss. As there was no demand and they had to lower the prices gradually to MMI 1,500 per viss. Onion prices were likely to fall to MMK 1,000 per viss.”

Onion and garlic.

Normally, Myanmar imports onion from China and India when domestic onion prices rise. However, there was no demand for imported onions this year.

Myanmar usually imports onion in November but had to import onion earlier as onion prices rose dramatically, according to onion merchants.

Domestic onion prices increased to MMK 3,200 per viss recently but the price fell to MMK 2,700 per viss when imported onion was available, U Hla Thaung, an onion merchant from Pakokku Township Merchants and Brokers Association, told the CNI.

Onions.

He told the CNI, “We were worried when we heard the news that onions were imported from China. Domestic onion prices fell to about MMK 2,500 per viss. I don’t think the prices will drop further. Onion was imported from China this year earlier as the prices skyrocketed. However, onion importers suffered losses. There was no demand and prices of onion fell to around MMK 2,200 per viss.

Onion was imported from China while there was a large stock of domestic onion. Some merchants who store onion suffer losses as onions they stored began to sprout, according to the commodity exchange.

New onions will be harvested in November.

Onion farmers have hoped they will get higher prices when onion is harvested as they had to buy fertilizers this year at prices twice as much as previous years.

CNI News

17 Sept 2022

The National Unity Government should mediate in clashes between the Shanni Nationalities Army and the joint forces of the Kachin State Independence Army and the People Defence Force in Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region, according to local residents in Banmauk.

A camp of the SNA in Banmauk Township came under attack by joint forces of the KIA and the PDF on 20th August. The two sides engaged in fighting on 23rd August again.

Sai Kham, a local resident, told the CNI, “The SNA has adopted a policy to pursue democracy and federalism. It is believed that both the KIA and the PDF have taken the path to democracy and federalism. Why is the PDF fighting against a democratic force? It is completely wrong to attack a democratic force. The NUG should be responsible for this.”

The entrance to Banmauk.

Local residents said armed clashes between the SNA and joint forces of the KIA and the PDF in Banmauk Township have forced residents to halt their farming activities and the joint forces carried out arrests and recruitments in the area. Local residents said the situation posed a threat to their livelihoods and the NUG should mediate in the armed clashes.

SNA spokesman Col Sai Aung Mein told the CNI that there was no reason to fight against each other among organizations pursuing democracy and federalism.

He told the CNI, “It can be said that there is an ulterior motive to attack each other among organizations that are pursuing democracy and federalism. There is no reason for the PDF to fight against us. The KIA has controlled them and they have to do as the KIA instructs. The NUG has not said anything about this and we have not discussed anything with the NUG.”

NUG Prime Minister Mann Win Khaing Than and PDF troops.

The CNI contacted KIA spokesman Col Naw Bu about the clashes between the SNA and joint forces of the KIA and the PDF but he did not answer the phone.

Armed conflicts in Myanmar must be resolved through negotiations politically, Kachin Politician U Kwam Gaung Aung Kham told the CNI.

He said, “We have nothing to say about what is right and what is wrong. As a politician, I want to say that if someone takes up arms, others will do the same. Tensions depend on their attitudes. I would like to highlight that we need to build a genuine federal union as soon as possible. Only then, will our country be peaceful and prosperous. Otherwise, the civil war has been raging for more than 70 years. So, armed struggle has prevailed over political means. Whoever wins or loses in the armed struggle has to resolve issues through political means eventually.
On 8th August, joint forces of the KIA and the PDF raided a camp of the SNA near Hsezin Village in Hpakant Township.

The SNA, the KIA and the PDF.

The SNA is an ethnic armed organization fighting for founding Shanni State by integrating Mawlike District, Kale District, Hkamti District, Katha District and Tamu District in Sagaing Region and Bhamo District, Myitkyina District, Mohnyin District and Moekaung District in Kachin State.

The KIA is an ethnic armed organization aiming to build a federal union and the PDF is an armed organization that emerged from the Spring Revolution and is trying to eliminate military dictatorship.

CNI News

17 Sept 2022

A heavy weapon round fell into the Mwedaw Church, where internally displaced persons were taking shelter, in Moebye at the border of Shan State (South) and Kayah State, killing a boy and a girl (siblings) and two men, according to a statement issued on 16 September by Moebye Rescue Team.

The rescue team announced, “Residents of Moebye should not gather in crowds and take shelter in safe places.”

A heavy weapon round fired by the Tatmadaw fell into the Mwedaw Church on 16th September, killing a boy and a girl (siblings) and two men over 50-year-old and injuring nine other civilians, according to the rescue team.

Civilians injured by a heavy weapon round in Moebye on 16th September, 2022. (Moebye Rescue Team)

Since 8th September, fighting has broken out between the Tatmadaw and joint forces of the Karenni National Defence Forces, the Karenni Army, Moebye People’s Defence Force, Phekhon PDF and the Karenni Revolutionary Union.

Tensions were running high between the two sides and clashes could break out at any time.

More than 4,000 people have been displaced by the clashes since then.

The Tatmadaw has not issued any statement about the incident.

CNI News

16 Sept 2022

Gold prices, which rose to more than MMK 3 million per tical, dipped a little when the government sold gold coins but they may slip further if gold coins are sold in Yangon and Mandalay, according to some people in the gold market.

Last week, the prices of Academy pure gold rose to more than MMK 3 million per tical and dropped to MMK 2.8 million per tical this week.

Gold price fell again because the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation sold gold coins. If gold coins are sold in gold trading hubs like Yangon and Mandalay, gold prices may drop further, Ko Nay Lin Khant, a gold market analyst, told the CNI.

He said, “Gold prices are likely to slip further if gold coins are sold in Yangon and Mandalay. They first said, they would sell gold coins at MMK 2.7 million per tical. Actually, they sold gold coins at MMK 2.8 million per tical in Nay Pyi Taw. We think gold prices will fall further to about MMK 2.7 million per tical. It is difficult to fall back to MMK 2 million per tical currently.”

The entrance to Yangon. (GETTY IMAGES)

Recently, gold prices set new records to MMK 3.5 per tical and slipped back to MMK 2.87 million per tical currently.

Gold price decreased because many people are reselling their gold due to falling exchange rates and prices of gold in the global market, Secretary U Ohn Myint of the Myanmar Gold Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

“At present, the foreign exchange market is cooling down. So, gold prices fell back. Another factor is gold prices are also falling in the global market. Now, crops are being harvested in the entire country. So, some people resell their gold to invest in crop trading. The demand for gold has shrunk and gold prices have become stable.,” he told the CNI.

In the currency market, US dollars hit MMK 3,500 per dollar last week but dipped back to between MMK 3,200 and MMK 3,500 per dollar. The foreign currency market has yet to be stable.

The entrance to Mandalay. (Khant)

As the current fall in gold prices may be a sign of mustering momentum for another rise, this is no time to buy gold, Market Analyst Ko Nay Lin Khant told the CNI.

He said, “It was said that some people bought gold at MMK 2.8 or 2.9 million per tical because gold prices dipped below MMK 3 million per tical. However, I don’t want to encourage people to buy gold because prices take one step back before taking two steps forward.”

The prices of Academy pure gold dropped from MMK 3 million to MMK 2.8 million per tical but it is expected that gold prices will rise again before falling back, according to gold entrepreneurs.

Gold merchants said that the SAC aimed to stabilize gold prices at MMK 2.5 million per tical and US dollar prices at MMK 2,700 per US dollar.

CNI News

16 Sept 2022

Myanmar fishing workers in Thailand have been temporarily laid off alternatively from two weeks to a few months without being paid since June, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.

Fishing boats owners laid off Myanmar workers temporarily without paying their salaries, citing bad weather conditions and rising oil prices but complaints have not been filed to authorities.

Labour activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, “We will have file complaints to authorities after making their lists. Employers are responsible for workers even when operations are suspended. We can file complaints to departments responsible for protection of workers and port management authorities. However, fishing worker have not filed complaints to them. Therefore, it is difficult for labour activists because no one file complaints to authorities. They are worried about being permanently sacked. Fishing workers do not have skills for other jobs.”

Laid off temporarily without being paid, fishing workers have to take odd jobs near ports or some of them move to other places.

When employers suspend their businesses temporarily, they are required to pay salaries to workers, labour activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

Myanmar fishing workers in Thailand. (CNN)

He said, “The employers have not stopped their operations permanently and asked their workers to work in rotation. If the workers came here under the MOU, they can raise questions with their agencies. Moreover, the employers are responsible to pay full salaries to the workers under the labour law even if operations are temporarily suspended.”

The majority of fishing workers in Thailand are those who came to work in Thailand legally. There are hundreds of Myanmar fishing workers in Thailand.

Compared to Myanmar factory workers in Thailand, those in the fishing industry are more vulnerable to human rights abuses, Executive Director U Htoo Chit of the FED told the CNI.

He said, “If factory workers have problems, it is easier for them to file complaints to authorities. In the past, workers in the fishing industry were subject to human rights abuses and human trafficking. Such cases can still be seen in some areas. It is more dangerous for Myanmar fishing workers. The main problem is that they do not file complaints to authorities. They should be able to demand their rights. Some workers are worried about losing their jobs or retaliation by employers. So, they avoid direct confrontation with their employers.”

It is difficult for some fishing workers to make complaints with authorities because they were forced to surrender their job contracts to their employers.

There are about 50,000 Myanmar nationals working legally in the fishing industry in Thailand.

CNI News

15 Sept 2022

The US Embassy in Myanmar urged the Tatmadaw to respect the democratic aspiration of the people on 15^th September.

The statement was made on the International Day of Democracy, which falls on 15^th September 2022.

The statement says, “On this International Day of Democracy, we reaffirm a basic truth: that democracy - government of the people, by the people, and for the people - is humanity’s most enduring means to advance peace, prosperity, and security. The United States joins the people of Burma in their pursuit of freedom and democracy and calls on the regime to respect the democratic aspirations of the people who have shown they do not want to live one more day under the tyranny of military rule.”

The statement of the US Embassy on the international day for democracy.

The Tatmadaw took over State power and declared a state of emergency on 1^st February, 2022, after accusing the NLD of attempts to form a government without settling voters’ lists disputes.

Therefore, anti-junta pro-democracy protests broke out in the entire country, leading to an armed struggle called the Spring Revolution.

Currently, armed clashes have broken out in Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Rakhine State, Chin State, Karen State and Kayah State while deaths and explosions are frequently reported in Mandalay Region, Yangon Region, Mon State, Shan State and Bago Region, undermining the rule of law.

 A pro-democracy demonstration. (Frontier Myanmar)

SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing promised to hold a general election in 2023 and hand over power to the winning party.

However, pro-democracy forces said that the election held by the SAC is a fraudulent one to continue to maintain power.

CNI News

15 Sept 2022

As the Tatmadaw has been reinforcing its troops in Rakhine State via land, water and air routes, the Arakan Army is planning to conduct stop and search operations along waterways. Such blockade of waterways may pose a threat to livelihoods, according to residents and business people in Rakhine State.

Residents are relying on waterways as roads have been blocked in Rathedaung Township for three months. Blocking waterways poses a threat to livelihoods of the grassroots, U Kyaw Min Khaing, a resident of Rathedaung, told the CNI.

He said, “We have to rely on waterways for trade. If waterways are blocked, people in the entire township will be under siege. This will affect all three social classes but the grassroots will bear the brunt. They are struggling for their lives every day. They will face difficulty for their daily needs amid rising prices. The other two social classes can survive without worrying about their daily needs.”

A vessel operating in Rakhine State. (MOI)

The AA announced on 14^th September that it would conduct stop and search operations vehicles and vessel along roads and waterways used by the Tatmadaw.

Vessels plying in Rakhine State have suspended their operations indefinitely, according to residents.

Commodity prices will skyrocket due to suspension of water transport and residents will have difficulty for their daily needs, Secretary Ko Aung Aung of the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.

He said, “The most important issue is the daily needs of the people. If the commodity flow is smooth, prices will not rise. People can go to their worksites. At least, they have no problems for their daily needs. Some people rely on transportation for their livelihoods. Commodities are very expensive in Maungdaw. Imposing restrictions on transportation of goods will push up prices. We cannot import goods from the other country and we cannot export goods to it as well. The public is in trouble. We don’t know what will happen. We are closely watching the situation.”

Water transport to and from Sittwe has not been suspended until 15^th September, according to Ko Aung Aung.

As commodity prices are rising, people in the entire country face difficulty for their daily needs, crimes have become rampant.