CNI News

17 August 2022

SAC announced on August 16 that those who have attained political positions by serving in the second parliamentary term and 491 elected members of parliament were given political pensions.

It is stated in the announcement that the respective departments and parliamentary offices issued those who met the requirements to be entitled to the lump sum pension award for those who have obtained political positions by serving in the second parliamentary term as well as the elected parliament representatives.

These individuals are (9) Union level individuals; (50) region or state level persons; (152) members of parliament; (88) National Assembly representatives; (192) region or state representatives with a total of 491 individuals. SAC has stated that they have awarded these lump sum political pensions to the aforementioned individuals.

Announcement of SAC

It is reported that the total amount of the lump sum political pensions has added up to more than 4040 million kyats to date.

Those who received political pensions were 217 from the National League for Democracy Party၊ 5 from Pao National League Party၊ 6 from the Taung (Palang) National Party၊
98 from the Union Solidarity and Development Party၊ 43 from Shan Nationalities Democratic Party၊ 3 from Lisu National Development Party၊ 39 from Rakhine National Party၊ 4 from Kachin State Democratic Party၊ 4 from the Zomi Democratic League Party၊ 2 from the Mon National Party၊ 2 from Kokang Democracy and Unity Party၊ 1 from the New Democratic Party (Kachin).

Then, there were also 1 from the Karen People's Party၊ 1 from the Chin Democratic League Party၊ 1 from the Democratic Party (Myanmar)၊ 1 from the Mon Regional Democratic Party၊
1 from the Shan Ethnic Democratic Party၊ 1 from People's Pioneer Party၊ 1 from the National Unity Party၊ 1 from the "Wa" Democratic Party၊ 1 from the National Democratic Unity Party၊ 1 from Akha National Development Party၊ 1 from the Lahu National Development Party၊ 43 non-political parties၊ 13 individuals.

CNI News

17 August 2022

The Muse merchants reported said that there is a decreasing number of imports through China border due to the decline in the value of Myanmar kyat and the rise in the price of yuan.

In the beginning week of August, 1 Chinese yuan was only around 350 Myanmar kyats. However, the increase to 400 kyats this week has affected the importation processes including the fact that the number of imported cars from China to Myanmar is currently on the decrease, said the Vice President of Muse Rice Commodities U Min Thein to CNI news agency.

“Today, one Chinese yuan is about 415 Myanmar kyats. The ones on the line of exports have to send the goods abroad, earning foreign currency like exports to China. We are very lucky to be in this line of work. The importers who have to import goods back to Burma have to buy the goods with foreign currency. Purchases cannot be made with Myanmar Kyats. So, it was more difficult and inconvenient for them. About 50 cars could be imported previously but now only 30 cars can.”

Due to the rising exchange rate caused by the price of yuan that has been rising continuously these days, the price of the imported goods from China is also escalating, said the merchants.

Seeing a Chinese border trading post

As a result, some importation processes have come to a halt, subsequently leading to a shortage of goods, thereby negatively affecting the truckers who drive the freight goods, said a Muse truck driver Ko Thant Zin to CNI News Agency.

“We get about 3 / 4 times a month. There are also times when we get 4 / 5 / 6 times. But now it’s only once a month. There are also merchants who keep on going. Those who don’t see any profits stopped going. There are already many traders who do not go. If the flow of goods is disrupted, the difficulty is that freight cars will grind to a halt,” he said.

It is said that in addition to not having an increase in freight charges despite the rise in the price of yuan, the truckers are also facing an accelerating price of fuel.

According to traders, although the importers are facing difficulty due to the rise in the price of yuan, the situation is beneficial for exporters. Therefore, there are currently more truckers entering the export market of China.

Previously, there were only 10 to 15 cars per day in the export of rice and grain rice but there are almost 20 units entering now according to Muse rice commodity depot.

CNI News

16 August 2022

The Karen National Liberation Army raided a police station in Kawkareik in Kayin State, killing 12 members of security forces including a police major and arresting two others, the Karen National Union issued a statement on 15th August.

The two detained were a law officer and an office staff, according to the statement.

It also said that six weapons were seized during the fighting and the junta troops shot heavy weapon fires at the KNLA troops on their withdrawal, seriously injuring a civilian, according to the statement.

  A house damaged by heavy weapon fires during the fighting in Kawkareik. (CJ)

The KNU is one of the signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

Currently, the EAC is conducting training for the PDF members of the Spring Revolution and joining forces with them.

CNI News

16 August 2022

The Karen National Union issued a statement saying no other organizations would be permitted to set up administrative mechanisms in areas controlled by it.

KNU Brigade-1 (Thaton District) issued the statement prohibiting organizational activities that fail to comply with rules and regulation of the KNU such as incitement of political differences and misunderstanding among the public by any organizations and endangering public security and rights.

Similarly, KNU Brigade-3 denied the news reports about opening a PDF clinic in Ywakantlant Village, Warhtoesike Village Tract in Kyaukkyi Township and that it was providing medical services and training to village youths.

Any organizations that intend to do something in Kyaukkyi Administrative areas are required to seek approvals from the relevant township authorities and to carry out their activities in accordance with rules and regulations of the KNU.

  The statement of the KNU.

It is necessary to solve the problems through the negotiations with the National Unity Government, Political Analyst U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

U Than Soe Naing told the CNI, “It is difficult to assess the situation on the ground as I don’t know much about what happened there. However, the PDF and the EAOs are organizations that will have to cooperate for the Spring Revolution. It is sad that disagreement and conflicts broke out between the two. The way to solve the problems is through the NUG and to prevent armed conflicts. I will have to say just that.”

 The statement of the KNPP.

He added that the two organizations are alliances for the Spring Revolution, unity between them is important for the revolution.

The Karenni National Progressive Party had to lodge a protest against the NUG in April, 2022, when its Ministry of Home Affairs formed administrative bodies in Kayah State.

Armed conflicts have broken out between the alliance of the KNLA and the PDF and the junta while the alliance between the KA, the armed wing of the KNPP, and local PDFs are fighting the Tatmadaw.

The KNU is one of the signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

CNI News

16 August 2022

If gas stations halting sales and limiting the sales are found, complaints can be made by contacting the phone numbers published according to the respective areas, the Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trades and Goods issued on August 15.

As the Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trades and Goods, they announced that through the import, storage, and distribution from the business supervisory committee, they are making efforts at their best for the citizens to be able to use fuel with the fair and right price, to ensure to not face domestic fuel shortage and working hard to manage import and distribution.

Therefore, some petrol stations caused people to worry with a purpose and said that there is a shortage of fuel or the stock is low by hoping for their own benefits then halting the sales and limited sales are conducted, its statement mentioned.

The spokesperson of SAC, Major General Zaw Min Tun said, “I would like to say that it is not a huge concern for the public regarding the fuel. Yesterday, an oil tanker docked at Thilawa port. It landed at port and unloaded oil. Today (August 15) too, there are four ships docked and unloaded oil. All in all, around 60000 tons of 92-95 and premium petrol in total have already been unloaded today. It is estimated to be about 1,300,000 gallons. Today, 2700 tons for 92, 3000 tons for 95 and over 22000 tons of premium diesel are unloaded at the same time. Another one will be next. And about 20000 tons will also come in on August 18, likewise about 290000 tons on August 19. After that too, 12 more tankers will arrive. So, I just want to say that there is nothing to worry about as it has already been about 1,300,000 gallons that were unloaded.”

the statement of the Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trades and Goods

Then, as the Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trades and Goods, they stated that enough fuels till the end of August, 2022, have already been imported and distributed, thereafter managements are being made systematically by cooperating with the Supervisory Committee on Import, Storage and Distribution of Fuel Oil, concerning the continuous replenishment of fuel oil so that people can use with no worries.

That is why the committee issued that complaints can be made via the phone numbers published according to the respective areas if petrol stations halting the sales and limited sales from them are found.

In the past few days, there were long queues at the petrol stations to fill up due to the limited and halted sales of fuel in Mandalay, Yangon and Sagaing including Lashio and Muse, Northern Shan State.

CNI News

15 August 2022 

Lieutenant Colonel Sai Mein, the translator of Chairman General Yawd Sit, of Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), passed away today (August 15), confirmed by RCSS. 

Lieutenant Colonel Sai Mein not only was RCSS’s spokesperson but also accompanied General Yawd Sit in his domestic and foreign trips and took on the role of translation.

 He passed away from liver disease in Nakornping hospital, Mae Rim District, Chaing Mai Province, today (August 15) at 3:00 AM.

CNI News

15 August 2022

Due to the closure of the waterways running to Chin State Palattwa Township and Kyauktaw City in Rakhine State by authorities starting from August 1^st, the commercial flow of goods was disconnected entailing the situation where they cannot afford to buy some food items including rice as well as fuel due to their skyrocketing prices. 

In August, clashes broke out between the Myanmar Army and the Rakhine Army. Due to tension, access to Kyauktaw and Paletwa seas is now closed and Palattwa residents said that rice and other commodities could not be purchased due to rising prices, said Ko Khin Kyaw to CNI news agency. 

Ko Khin Kyaw said, “One ordinary bag of rice costs 120,000. We can’t even buy that. It’s 40,000 before the closure of that road (Kyauktaw – Palattwa waterway). Now that the road is closed, we can’t even buy it for 120,000. You can’t even buy one egg with 1000. One liter of oil can’t even be bought for 10,000. 

The Paletwa residents have frequently faced the current price hike and shortage of goods but this time was made all the more difficult, said the locals. 

Seeing residents from Shin Lewa village, Palattwa Township.

In the previous battles, although the water route was closed, the land transportation had been opened. The relief groups had come and made donations and the freight goods were also allowed, so it was not this difficult. 

Since both the waterway and land routes are closed at the present, the Palattwa region is in a more vulnerable situation, said an official from the Chin State Chamber of Commerce. 

He said to CNI News Agency., “Last year, this kind of thing only happened in Palattwa. Because there is Sami town on the side of Sami – Min Tu – Hakha. The rescue forces have arrived there. Before, the other side was open. The Hakha – Min Tat – Matupi – Hakha road is open. They can receive rescue equipment there. But now the situation is terrible since all the roads on both sides are closed.

 If the flow of goods continues to be closed like this, the residents in the Paletwa Township and the Matupi Township may have health problems within two weeks and they are worried that there can be famine.

Seeing the Kelantan River.

The Chin State Chamber of Commerce is trying to transport and sell rice and other goods by entering into discussions with the respective authorities to get permissions, said an official from the Chin State Chamber of Commerce to CNI news agency. 

He said, “We, as merchants, will try as hard as we can. We will deliberate with SAC. After deliberation, we will make purchases possible in Palattwa just like they are possible in Yangon and other regions. Leave those things to us. We are trying to get permission to carry how many bags from here to there, sell how many bags in Sami and Palattwa.” 

It is reported that the Paletwa residents who are in Rakhine due to the closure of Kyauktaw and Palattwa waterways are still stranded in Rakhine with no way to return. 

There is a battle between the Tatmadaw and the Rakhine Army (AA) during August in Palattwa Township in Chin State and Maungdaw Township in Rakhine State, said the AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha at the press conference on August 11.

CNI News

15 August 2022 

Win and Zaw should be eligible for royal pardon of more than 100,000 prisoners to mark the birthdays of Thai king and his mother queen, Executive Director U Htoo Chit of the Foundation for Education Development told the CNI.

“In the past, prisoners were granted sentence reduction by half or certain numbers of years. The two should be eligible for royal pardon and I hope they will be. We cannot tell what type of sentence reduction they will be granted. If the Thai government believes that they behave properly in prison, they should be granted sentence reduction even if they are not released or acquitted. Like other prisoners, their sentences should be reduced by at least one-third, five years or ten years,” he said.

Out of more than 100,000 prisoners pardoned by the Thai king, about 80,000 prisoners received sentence reduction and more than 20,000 will be released on parole.

Win and Zaw have been in prison since 2014 after being charged with murder on resort island of Koh Tao, southern Thailand. It is still unclear whether the two were granted sentence reduction, U Htoo Chit told the CNI.

Win and Zaw being brought to court for trial.

“However hard they try, they will be in distress in the prison for their families and their future. I am worried about it. The government can offer effective help to them by discussing the case with the Thai government. This can lead to reduction of their prison terms significantly,” he added.

Migrant workers Win and Zaw were detained in September 2014 for rape and murder of British tourists, Hanna and David Miller on resort island of Koh Tao in Thailand.

They were sentenced to death in 2015 but the Thai king commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment on 14th August 2020.

The two behave properly in prison but they were not eligible for royal pardons frequently granted in Thailand.

Currently, their families are trying to visit them with the assistance of the FED and the Wunlet Foundation in Rakhine State.

CNI News

15 August 2022

Highway bus services are encountering a situation which forces them to suspend operations if authorities continue to ban parcel transportation, according to owners of highway bus services.

It was learnt that authorities had banned parcel transportation on highway buses running between Yangon and other states and regions for security reasons, highway bus service owners said.

Currently, highway bus services had to rely on parcel transportation as the number of passengers has decreased to only one-third of previous levels. So, all highway bus services will be forced to suspend their operations if parcel transportation is prohibited further, an incharge of a highway bus service in Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal, told the CNI.

 Inspection of parcels on highway buses. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, “How can we survive? The number of passengers has dropped to one-third or 30 percent of previous levels. Highway buses managed to survive with only a few passengers because they earned from parcel transportation. Sometimes, there were only three to five passengers on a highway bus. It costs about MMK 2 million to operate a trip with higher fuel prices. If we are not allowed to transport parcels, we cannot survive.”

Highway bus services based at Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal, Dagon Ayar Highway Bus Terminal and Aung San Stadium Highway Bus Terminal have never been permitted to carry out parcel transportation and they are allowed to transport luggages carried by passengers, according to Yangon Region Public Transport Committee.

Although parcel transportation is not officially permitted, the committee was not able to prohibit it effectively but the restrictions were imposed for security reasons, said Lyan Cin Mang, the joint secretary of the YRTC.

Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal. (Myanmar Time)

He said, “Highway bus services have never been permitted to carry out parcel transportation. Their business licenses were issued for transportation not of parcels but of passengers. They are allowed to transport luggages carried by passengers. However, they were not told not to do so in the past. Now, percel transportation is prohibited for security reasons by security authorities not by the YRTC. This has nothing to do with the YRTC,” he told the CNI.

Highway bus services are also facing difficulties as no instructions were issued for parcel transportation through checkpoints in other towns.

If authorities do not permit highway bus services to carry out parcel transportation, the public will have to use freight transportation services in Bayintnaung Freight Terminal and other freight trucks.