Most Myanmar UNHCR card holders in Malaysia refuse to register via TRIS

CNI News

3 Oct 2022

Although UNHCR card holders in Malaysia are required to register through the Tracking Refugees Information System, most Myanmar UNHCR card holders have refused to do so, according to Myanmar organizations in Malaysia.

The Minster of Home Affairs of Malaysia has adopted a policy to force UNHCR card holders through the TRIS system but most Myanmar refugees have refused to do so, Myanmar organizations told the CNI.

Secretary Steven of the Alliance of Chin Refugees told the CNI, “They are worried about their security but they think they already had UNHCR cards and do not need to worry about the system. As they have been recognized as refugees by the UN and there is no benefit for them to register through the TRIS, the UN has never encouraged them to register through the system, the main aim of it is to track the locations of refugees. The system does not protect the holder from arrests as the police do not know what the card is.”

Although most Myanmar refugees do not register through the system, some of them have already done so.

However, the UNHCR has not confirmed the adoption of the system.

   UNHCR refugee cards issued in Malaysia.

The UNHCR has unable to monitor refugees from various countries in the entire country and some of them even committed crimes there.

So, the move of the Malaysian Government could not have undesirable effects, General Secretary U Chit Kaung of the Assistance Association for Myanmar Workers in Malaysia told the CNI.
He said, “Authorities can locate suspects easily in crimes. They will issue identity cards which have microchips in the same way as Malaysian citizens. If a UNHCR card holder commits a crime, they can easily track him or her. Another factor is that there are too many UNHCR card holders in Malaysia. When they arrested illegal migrants, it was found that some were using fake UNHCR cards. I think authorities want to investigate such issues.”

He added that Malaysian government is taking such measures from the security point of view as there are too many refugees in their country.

U Chit Kaung said, “The government is taking such measures from the security perspective because there are too many foreign workers, especially illegal migrant workers and refugees in its country. However, only a few of them are officially come to the work in their country. They think they will be able to address the problems of official migrant workers, who make up only one percent of foreigner in their country. So, they record everything including passport data, work permits and fingerprints so that they can find them easily if they commit crimes. I think this will not affect the refugee status.”

It was also learnt that the process of registering for UNHCR refugees through the TRIS system is lengthy.

UNHCR cards are issued to refugees who can prove that they were abused in their home countries, according to Myanmar organizations in Malaysia.

Undocumented migrant workers lose their rights to work, health and education, according to illegal migrant workers.

CNI News

3 Oct 2022

As Shan ethnic armed organizations are distancing themselves from the ongoing Spring Revolution, some people are beginning to question their stance and have called for them to join the revolution.

Some local political observers said that it was difficult for Shan EAOs to join the revolution as they are undergoing a different situation from others and they have to take great care of areas under their control.

However, China-based Myanmar political observer Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw said that EAOs in Shan State were likely to join the revolution gradually.

She told the CNI that it bodes well for EAOs to hold talks in Pangsang recently. Some of them are engaging the military in armed conflicts, others are holding talks in Nay Pyi Taw but they are united. It bodes well for them. So, even SSA might join their alliance gradually. Saying that, it will not be easy form a united front because the junta will not sit idle. It will sow the seed of discord among them. All our politicians and revolutionaries are clear about that. We should do everything to undermine the junta from multiple fronts. So, EAOs will join the revolution gradually not only in Shan State but also in the entire country. Everyone must exert efforts to that end.”

Meetings between leaders of the MNDAA and the UWSA.

Under current circumstances, EAOs in Shan State are not in a position to fight the junta unitedly, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

He said, “EAOs in Shan State are in disagreement. The Shan State Progressive Party and the Restoration Council of Shan State are fighting each other for territorial control instead of fighting the military. So, EAOs in Shan State cannot fight the military unitedly. There is a alliance of three brotherhood, which can operate in the state to some extent including the TNLA, the MNDAA, and the AA.”

Currently, the National Unity Government does not have much influence on and is less active in Shan State, he added.

 Vice Chairman Brig-Gen Tar Gyokegyar.

The SSPP, the RCSS/SSA, the UWSA, the MNDAA, the NDAA, the KIA, the TNLA, the PNLO, the LDU and many other militia groups are active in Shan State.

Among them, the UWSA, the NDAA, the SSPP, the RCSS, the PNLO and the LDU are holding peace talks with the junta while the TNLA, the KIA and the MNDAA rarely fight the junta.

Militia groups are under the command of the junta and they cannot be counted on.

The UWSA considers the current crisis a conflict between two Bamar leaders and urged them to address the issues through negotiations, according to a statement from them.

At present, joint forces of some EAOs and local PDFs are fighting against the military in Sagaing and Magway Regions and in Kayin, Kayah and Chin States.

CNI News

3 Oct 2022

Although UNHCR card holders in Malaysia are required to register through the Tracking Refugees Information System, most Myanmar UNHCR card holders have refused to do so, according to Myanmar organizations in Malaysia.

The Minster of Home Affairs of Malaysia has adopted a policy to force UNHCR card holders through the TRIS system but most Myanmar refugees have refused to do so, Myanmar organizations told the CNI.

Secretary Steven of the Alliance of Chin Refugees told the CNI, “They are worried about their security but they think they already had UNHCR cards and do not need to worry about the system. As they have been recognized as refugees by the UN and there is no benefit for them to register through the TRIS, the UN has never encouraged them to register through the system, the main aim of it is to track the locations of refugees. The system does not protect the holder from arrests as the police do not know what the card is.”

Although most Myanmar refugees do not register through the system, some of them have already done so.

However, the UNHCR has not confirmed the adoption of the system.

The UNHCR has unable to monitor refugees from various countries in the entire country and some of them even committed crimes there.

So, the move of the Malaysian Government could not have undesirable effects, General Secretary U Chit Kaung of the Assistance Association for Myanmar Workers in Malaysia told the CNI.
He said, “Authorities can locate suspects easily in crimes. They will issue identity cards which have microchips in the same way as Malaysian citizens. If a UNHCR card holder commits a crime, they can easily track him or her. Another factor is that there are too many UNHCR card holders in Malaysia. When they arrested illegal migrants, it was found that some were using fake UNHCR cards. I think authorities want to investigate such issues.”

 UNHCR refugee cards issued in Malaysia.

He added that Malaysian government is taking such measures from the security point of view as there are too many refugees in their country.

U Chit Kaung said, “The government is taking such measures from the security perspective because there are too many foreign workers, especially illegal migrant workers and refugees in its country. However, only a few of them are officially come to the work in their country. They think they will be able to address the problems of official migrant workers, who make up only one percent of foreigner in their country. So, they record everything including passport data, work permits and fingerprints so that they can find them easily if they commit crimes. I think this will not affect the refugee status.”

It was also learnt that the process of registering for UNHCR refugees through the TRIS system is lengthy.

UNHCR cards are issued to refugees who can prove that they were abused in their home countries, according to Myanmar organizations in Malaysia.

Undocumented migrant workers lose their rights to work, health and education, according to illegal migrant workers.

CNI News

3 Oct 2022

Allowing fuel companies to make Yuan payments to the Central Bank of Myanmar will bring benefits for them, Managing Director U Htay Aung Kyi of Yangon-based Economic Development Initiative told the CNI.

The CBM announced on 1^st October that local fuel companies are allowed to repay foreign currencies they received from the CBM for fuel imports in Yuan.

As a result, fuel importers can bypass the shortage of US dollars and exchange rate discrepancies, U Htay Aung Kyi told the CNI.

“Generally speaking, allowing payments in Yuan is better than permitting the US dollar payment system alone. It is another option for companies. The more options they have, the better it is for you. One of the problems faced by fuel companies is payments in foreign currencies. It is beneficial for them to make payments in US dollars, Euros and Yuan.”

The CBM announced that it would accept payments for fuel imports in Yuan in accordance with the decision of the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee.

As local fuel companies engage not only in importing fuel but also in exporting goods to China, they have Yuan to make payment for fuel imports.

It seems that the CBM wants to diversify its foreign reserves to Yuan, an economist said.

He told the CNI that some companies import fuel and export rice to China and receive Yuan. When they import fuel, they borrow US dollars from the CBM. Now, they don’t have to exchange Yuan for US dollars to repay the loans and can make payments in Yuan. It is beneficial for them because the move reduces their transaction costs. Another factor is that Myanmar mainly exports commodities to China. I think the CBM wants to diversify its reserves to Yuan in addition to US dollars, Singapore dollars and yen it maintained previously.”

Myanmar imports fuel worth US$ 2 billion annually. As payments for fuel imports can be made in Yuan, the gap between the official exchange rate and market exchange rates can be narrowed, according to entrepreneurs.

CNI News

2 Oct 2022

Amid armed clashes, the number of freight trucks travelling to Sagaing Region in upper Myanmar has dropped and only those based in the region are providing freight services, according to Myanmar Highway Freight Transportation Service Entrepreneurs Association and truck drivers.

As some buses and freight trucks were attacked and authorities have imposed restrictions on some commodities in the region, freight transportation services and truck drivers refused to transport goods to Sagaing Region, Ko Khin Maung Myint, a highway freight truck driver, told the CNI.

“Truck drivers based in the region are still providing freight transportation services. Those from other states and regions do not travel to Sagaing because it is very dangerous for them and searches along the roads have intensified. Moreover, they do not know which commodities are restricted. In Monywa and Shwebo, restrictions have been imposed on travelling hours,” he said.

As there are few freight trucks travelling to Sagaing Region, merchants are not able to transport goods in time and have faced difficulties and stopped trading with the region.

Therefore, there might be shortages of commodities in the region, according to an official from MHFTSEA.

“Truck drivers do not want to go to Sagaing. There is no problem for them as they can go to other states and regions. However, merchants who are trading with the region have problems because the foodstuffs they send to the regions cannot be delivered in time. As merchants have problems, there may be shortages of foodstuffs in the region,” he told the CNI.

Currently, authorities have intensified searches in Sagaing Region and Myiek and Dawei in Tanintharyi Region. Sometimes truck drivers are forced to pay bribes at some checkpoints, according to a highway bus driver.

“Of course, there are concerns. We cannot travel peacefully during the conflicts. Currently, situation has deteriorated in Sagaing and Monywa. Authorities have intensified in lower parts of Myanmar like Myeik and Dawei. However, checkpoints I have to pass do not search vehicles but they ask for bribes, “ he told the CNI.

Armed conflicts have frequently broken out between the Tatmadaw and local PDFs in Shwebo, Depayin, Taze, Minkin and Kanni townships in Sagaing Region and sometimes freight trucks and passenger buses were stuck in armed conflicts.

CNI News

2 Oct 2022

No one has claimed responsibility for shooting a passenger plane which was landing at Loikaw Airport in the morning of 30^th September, triggering a blame game.

The SAC accused the KNPP and the PDF, which are active in Kayah State, of shooting the plane on 30^th September.

However, the KNPP, Loikaw PDF, Demawso PDF, Moyebye PDF, Pekhon PDF and the KNDF denied the accusation, saying Tatmadaw personnel are stationed around the airport.

The KNDF has engaged in fierce fighting with the Tatmadaw in Kayah State.

An official from the KNDF told the CNI that his forces did not shoot the passenger plane.

A map showing the location of the shooting.

He said, “It was a civilian plane. We have never instructed our troops to shoot at buses and planes. Ours is not such an organization and we have our own policies and principles. We never target civilians. We fight only with the junta.”

The SAC announced that a bullet fired by the KNPP and the PDF hit the fuselage of the plane on 30^th September, injuring a passenger on the right cheek.

The plane was carrying 63 passengers on its Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw, Loikaw-Yangon flight and landing at Loikaw airport when it was hit by a bullet.

SAC spokesperson Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun said, “When the plane was landing at the airport, members of the KNPP and the PDF shot it with small arms form the right of the runway. Shooting a passenger plane amounted to committing a war crime. It is necessary for the public and organizations that want peace and stability should collectively condemn the act. If something harmful had happened to the plane, lives of members of the public would have been endangered. Moreover, it was also an attempt to disrupt the transportation of local residents.”

Local infantry and artillery battalions were stationed around the airport, said an official from the KNDF.

The plane was hit by a bullet.

He said, “It was in no way possible for us to shoot the plane because the airport is surrounded by battalions of the Tatmadaw. Moreover, its landing and taking-off routes are also secured by the Tatmadaw. There are three battalions of the Tatmadaw near the landing runway. Tatmadaw battalions are also deployed in villages where fighting is ongoing. There is an artillery battalion providing heavy weapon support for their troops. It was in no way possible for our troops to shoot the plane.”

Fighting is ongoing between the Tatmadaw and joint forces of the KA, the KNDF and the PDF.

The clashes have displaced more than 160,000 people and at least 436 houses were burnt down, according to the ISP-Myanmar.

CNI News

1 Oct 2022

A passenger aircraft was hit by bullets while landing at Loikaw Airport in Kayah State and a male passenger was injured in the incident.

UB-149 Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw-Loikaw-Yangon flight was landing at the airport in the morning of 30th September when it was hit by bullets.

The XY-AML ATR-72(600) was carrying 63 passengers, according to a statement released by the SAC.

Forces of the Karenni National Progressive Party and the People’s Defence Force opened fire at the aircraft, ripping through the fuselage and hitting the right cheek of a passenger, according to the statement.

The aircraft that was hit by bullets.

The injured passenger was admitted to Loikaw People’s Hospital for treatments.

The KNPP and local defence forces did not release any statement until 11.55 am on 30th September.

The Karenni Army, the armed wing of the KNPP and PDFS are fighting against the Tatmadaw in Kayah State.

The fighting has already displaced thousands of local residents.

CNI News

1 Oct 2022

The public is likely to deposit their money in banks to get interest only after the inflation of the Kyat has stabilized, according to economists and financial experts.

Currently, private banks in Myanmar are increasing their interest rates to attract deposits.

Due to high rates of inflation, Myanmar citizens are investing in the property and gold markets by reducing their cash portfolio and are likely to deposit their money in banks only after the inflation has eased, Secretary U Ohn Myint of the Myanmar Gold Entrepreneurs told the CNI.

He said, “Internationally, when gold prices are to be raised, banks lower interest rates even to 0 percent. People were forced to withdraw their money and buy gold. When interest rates are raised, the public will choose the bank interest, which is guaranteed. As gold prices cannot be predicted exactly, they will choose bank interest. However, banks are still trying to rebuild public trust and it will take time. Another factor is that the public will live on bank interest only when the inflation is stabilized. When the inflation is rising, the public will continue to hold other assets.”

  Banking operations.

Recently, the AGD, a private bank in Myanmar, raised its interest rates for fixed periods during the promotion.

Similarly, the CB, the KBZ and the AYA banks raised their interest rates during their promotion periods.

The KBZ has offered 9.1 percent interest rate for at least MMK 10 million 100-day fixed deposits while the AYA raised its interest rates to 9.3 percent for deposits lower than MMK 5 million and 9.6 percent deposits higher than MMK 5 million.

An economist who requested anonymity said banks might be trying to attract money outside the banking system.

He said, “Some businesses do not get as much profit as bank interest rates but they are trying to survive for their workers and for the long-term existence of their businesses. Another factor is that money is circulated outside the banking system although it should have been circulated in the banking system. All transactions must be carried out through banks but the public has stopped using banks and money is circulated outside the banking system. So, banks are giving incentives by raising interest rates to attract deposits by raising their interest rates. Under rules and regulations of the Central Bank, private banks are required to reserve a percentage of deposits. It is possible that reserves at banks are too low to meet the requirements. We cannot say exactly because we cannot study the statistics. This might also be the pressure of the CBM. Moreover, withdrawal is higher than the deposits at banks, forcing them to halt their operations. The main role of the banks is to accept deposits and to lend them to borrowers. When they don’t have deposits, they cannot lend money. They are making profits on the gap between the interest rates between the deposits and lending. They cannot lend money if they don’t receive deposits.”

Banking operations.

Although raising interest rates is beneficial for depositors, it is questionable whether it will have the same effects for banks, said financial market observers and Myanmar economists.

They said banks should raise interest rates on fixed deposits but lower the rates on saving accounts so that money circulating outside the banking system will be redirected to the banking system.

The CBM has instructed private banks to set interest rates at minimum 5 percent for deposits, 10 percent lending rate on secured loans and 14.5 percent lending rate on unsecured loans.

CNI News

1 Oct 2022

Charter bus bookings have increased as people are planning to travel during the Thadingyut Holiday, charter bus services and tour operators told the CNI.

Chairman U Naung Naung Han of Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI, “Booking has been full for some days. Families have hired four or five seaters’ vehicles while some have rented 10 and 15 seaters. Some companies are hiring 33 or 55 seaters to travel in groups. So, domestic tourism, which faced slowdown in August and September, has revived relatively. And Myanmar people rarely travel during the rainy season because the rain disrupted tourism. However, the number of travelers is still low compared to the normal levels. Only 10 percent of people travel in the rainy season.”

Similarly, the number of people who are seeking information about charter flights is also increasing.

Most people who have booked for charter buses are heading to pilgrim and beach destinations, tour operators told the CNI.

 Express buses from the GI group. (GI Group)

An official from the Shwe Ye Su Wai tour services said, “Most booked for 45-seater buses to PyinOoLwin, Bagan, Taunggyi, Inlay and Kalaw. They are not travelling to remote areas because of the deteriorating political situation. However, it is relatively better than the situation in the past but it has not returned to normal.

Currently, four- or five-seater vehicles and charter buses are mostly hired by passengers, tour operators told the CNI.

Rental fees range depending on models of vehicles and destinations.

Ko Wai Yan Htet of Waiyanhtet Travel in Mandalay told the CNI, “The number of travellers has increased. We charge them MMK 150,000 per charter bus from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw. We charge MMK 220,000 for travel from Yangon to Mandalay. Travellers are required to bring their citizenship identity cards with them. Even if they don’t have citizenship cards, we provide services if they can provide household registrations and recommendations from wards and police stations. We have our own drivers. We do not accept bookings for our cars without our drivers,”

The tour industry has come to a grinding halt due to the pandemic and the coup but it has revived since April.

As the dry season starts in October and tour operators expect that the number of travellers will increase during the holidays including Thidingyut,Tazaungdaing, Christmas and new year holidays.