CNI News

11 December 2024

People in the Naga region were interested in the election that would be held in 2025, chairman of the Naga National Party, U Shu Maung told CNI News. 

As a general election would be held for sure in 2025, representatives from 53 political parties that have been registered and the Union Election Commission met and discussed the matters regarding the election in the UEC office on 7th December 2024. 

Naga nationalities were hoping the coming election could bring a better situation, said U Shu Maung to CNI News.

" Because battles are breaking out across the country, politics have been kind of dead. When the people in Naga region happen to know that the election will be held, they are interested in the election in the hope that the situation could be better because they are always unhappy under the current situation." he said.

Naga mountainous region is a poor one and there are not enough school teachers there. 

Moreover, the people in the region are facing higher commodity prices, having to pay the tax to armed groups and slow flow of goods.

While seeing a Naga region (Lars Krutak)

It takes at least six months to make a product from the mainland arrive in the Naga region and so people in the region have to depend on India for their existence.

At present, India has opened its border gates which was welcome by the Naga region and it could be beneficial in the long run; but free flow of goods and security must be beware of; although there were no battles in the Naga region, the people were worried that battles would break out, said U Shu Maung.

" There have been no battles in the Naga region for the time being. But the people are worried that battles will break out sometime in the future. But we can say that the region is normal just now." he said.

The government that would arise from the election could continue to carry out the matters regarding the insecurity of the people, livelihood, commodity price, education, health and job opportunity, said political parties.

A general election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said chairman of the SAC.

CNI News

11 December 2024

The money and assets of those who have become rich from their corruption would be confiscated, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlain, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above at the commemoration ceremony for International Anti-Corruption Day on 9th December 2024.

Corruption is a misdeed that damages societies and disrupts the social and economic well-being; moreover, it also erodes justice and harms not only the state and its people; also it can affect the development goals and destabilize the rule of law and peace, said chairman of the SAC.

Corruption was a bad disease that was spreading not only in Myanmar but also in the whole world. 

And it was a problem that had taken root not only in governments of developing and developed countries but also private sector and charity associations, he added.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the at the commemoration ceremony for International Anti-Corruption Day

" Normally, corruption is considered as bribery, but in fact, it's a bad deed that is deep and widespread; extortion, lying, abusing public property and money, and abusing power for self-interest are also corruptions." he said.

Because of corruption, committing crimes and supporting terrorism could emerge; moreover, as it could affect rule of law and democratic system, it could be called a global problem, he said.

" According to the anti-corruption law, the property and money of a person who has been rich from its corruption can be confiscated. So, officials concerned can take action effectively in accordance with the law." he said.

Because the public hated the corruption so much that if the authorities tackled the corruption effectively in accordance with the law, listening to the voice of the people, the people would be ready to cooperate with them, pointed out political analysts.

CNI News

10 December 2024

Foreign investment in Myanmar has fallen by more than half in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, according to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA). 

Foreign investment of 587.24 million dollars entered Myanmar until November of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, but just 235.7 million dollars in the 2024-2025 budget year. 

The reason why the foreign investment had fallen like that was because many border trade posts had been closed and the trading by sea only is used for import and export, U Aung Pyae Sone, an economic analyst, told CNI News.

While seeing the office of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration

"Foreign investments enter depending on regions. And when we trade, there are foreign investments and logistics industries along the trade route. When the logistics industry going through border trade almost has stopped, foreign investments usually decline. Moreover, in the import and export sector, as we depend on trading by sea only, there are difficulties because we can't carry out as quickly as the border trade. So, foreign investments have declined." he said.

The investments of China and Singapore, the most in Myanmar were over 553 million dollars last year but this year just about 140 million dollars. 

Foreign investments that entered special economic zones during the first eight months of this year were just over 36 million dollars and only three foreign investments entered, according to the DICA.

While seeing somewhere in the city center of Yangon

However, foreign investments have increased in the garment industry, electric car and fuel oil sectors, said U Aung Pyae Sone.

“Foreign investment has increased in the garment industry. New factories have arisen as well. And some CMP industries are looking up. Some companies relating to electric cars have been allowed to invest a lot by the Myanmar Investment Commission. Next, some foreign investments have been allowed to invest in fuel oil import." he said.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC, has told businessmen about the lack of foreign investments and urged them to invest in the agricultural and livestock industries.

CNI News

10 December 2025

A general election surely would be held in 2025, chairman of the People's Party U Ko Ko Gyi told CNI News. 

The Union Election Commission (UEC) and 53 political parties  that have been registered met in the UEC office on 7th December and discussed the matters regarding the election. 

The election surely would be held; the election was important to the State and social lives of the people, chairman of the PP U Ko Ko Gyi told CNI News.

" In the past, the winner-take-all system was used. Now there are discussions and negotiations to change from the first-past-the-post voting (FPTP) to the Proportional representation voting (PR). The hybrid system probably will be used. The FPDP will be used in some places and the PR, in other places. But we can know exactly about it only when the detailed laws and bylaws come out. But we can firmly say that the election will be held in 2025. After the election, within the five year tenure, it's very important to carry out the matters regarding the rotational chairman of the ASEAN and the representative of Myanmar at the UN for the dignity of the State. On the other hand, the government that will come to power from the election will continue to carry out the matters relating to insecurity of the people, livelihood, commodity price, education, healthcare and job opportunity." he said.

The study groups from abroad would be invited to the election that would be held in 2025, said U Ko Ko, the chairman of the UEC.

The UEC would make an effort to make a fair election and a respectable Hluttaw emerge and political parties should train their candidates to become qualified members of the Hluttaw, said U Ko Ko, chairman of the UEC.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties

The election was needed for everyone and the international community also should welcome it, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

" Among the SAC's road maps, the election is mainly important. According to the law for the state of emergency, the State power has been handed over to the C in C temporarily. He must create the situation that can hold the election. The election is needed for everyone and for the SAC, the public, and political parties. International community should welcome it as well." he said.

Officials concerned must mainly carry out so as to make vote list correct and the Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine would be used, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC on 19th November 2024. A general election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, he said.

A free and fair general election would be held and international analysts would be invited to the election, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing during his meeting with Chinese PM Li Chang on 6th November 2024.

The Chinese government has said that it would help Myanmar in order that the election could be held successfully while Russia would help the Myanmar election, Mr Sholban Kara-Ool, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation told Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing during their meeting in Naypyidaw on 4th December 2024.

CNI News

10 December 2024

International community and people within Myanmar are watching whether the State Administration Council (SAC) will extend the state of emergency for another six months in January, 2024 or not and that year is important to Myanmar, which some people points out.

Because the SAC would need to take time to make preparations for a general election, the SAC probably would extend its tenure for another six months after 31st January 2025; after that, the State power would have to be handed over to the State Defense and Security Council and the SDSC would probably form an organization like an interim government, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

" It's more likely that the SAC will extend its tenure for another six months because it will need to take time to make preparations for a general election. If it doesn't extend, the State power must be handed over to the State Defense and Security Council and then the SDSC has to plan to held the election. If the SAC extend, it's more likely to extend its tenure because it will need to take a lot of time." he said.

While the meeting of the State Defense and Security Council was being held

The Myanmar Tatmadaw has taken the State power since 1st February 2021 after announcing the state of emergency and it will have taken the power for four years on 1st February 2025.

At present the SAC is facing military and political crises and political community is watching what the SAC will make a change on 31st January, 2025.

People from local and abroad were watching whether the SAC would extend the state of emergency for another six months or not, U Khun Sai who is taking part in the peace process, told CNI News.

Elections were held in May in the past and later in November. So, he could not estimate when the SAC would hold the election, he said.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC

" All of us within the country, neighboring countries as well as other countries are watching whether the SAC will extend the tenure for another six months or not. We can't estimate what will happen. If the tenure is extended, there'll be enough time to hold the election. But if the SAC doesn't extend and hand over the power the SDSC, the election must be held within six months according to the section.429 of the constitution. The chairman of the SAC didn't say that the election would be held all over the country but in phrases. It's possible if the election is held in phrases." said U Khun Sai.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February 2021, saying the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute that took place in the 2020 general election and has taken the State power after announcing the state of emergency up to now.

CNI News
8 December 2024

As the State administration Council has cut out the inflow of commodities into northern Shan State since November, the businesses there are hurt.

Mainly because of the higher price of fuel oil and the scarcity of raw materials, some businesses are finding it difficult to continue existing.

Livestock industry was hurt because the prices of raw materials for animal food and fuel oil were going up and many people depending on the industry were hurt as well, U Tin Maung Thein, a resident of Kyaukme in northern Shan State, told CNI News.

" Chicken feed is not allowed to enter and the prices are going up quite a bit as well and so is pig food. So, the people living in the livestock industry are finding it difficult. And the prices of fuel oil are so high. If a truck loaded with goods is not allowed to enter, people living in northern Shan State can't make a living." he said.

The flow of goods had been cut out in order that foodstuffs could not reach into the hands of EAOs, said a resident of Kyaukme.

While seeing the TNLA

" People in most of the territories captured by EAOs are in a crisis. It is the result of cutting out the food to EAOs by the military council." he said.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw has cut out the flow of goods to EAOs and vice versa in northern Shan State.

Trucks loaded with foodstuffs and medicine have been banned to run on the Mandalay-Nawnghkio Road, the Yatsauk-Nawnghkio Road, the Yatsauk-Nanglang Road and the Panglong Road up to now.

CNI News
8 December 2024

People in Putao District, Kachin State have run out of medicine and the prices of some medicines have skyrocketed, according to Putao locals.

Putao Township every so often runs out of medicine and the import of medicines has been limited since December 5, 2024. At present, because it is not easy to use the Myitkyina-Putao Road, medicines have to be carried by airplane. So, the prices are going up.

A kind of medicine that was paid 1,000 kyats is paid 6,000 kyats now, a local from Putao told CNI News.

" Not every kind of medicine is available. But some medicines are not buyable. In the past, medicines were directly carried by car. They were available easily. All the medicine companies are based in Yangon. Because  the motor roads cannot be used, if we order medicines, they are carried by air. Transportation charges for medicine are more expensive. The price of the medicine I am taking was 1,000 or 1,500 kyats before and but now I have to pay about 6,000 kyats. Naung Mon and Khawng Lan Phu are worse.” he said.

At present, 80 percent of the medicine that are used in Kachin State is being imported by air only. The medicine carried by car reached Myitkyina only and just a little to other towns.

due to the shortage of medicine, although the cost for medical treatment in the clinics, for example, was just 10,000 kyats before, it has been 30,000 kyats just now.

Although medicines for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease can be bought, they are more expensive than before. Customers could not choose the brands they liked when they bought medicine, a person who sells various kind of medicines from Putao told CNI News.

" Medicines from China don't enter so much although the road is open. There are not a  lot of Myanmar traditional medicines because it takes five days to make the medicines reach here from the Mandalay-Myitkyina road and the prices are going up. And customers can't choose the brand they like. They have to buy the medicines sold by drug stores." he said.

Because importing medicines to Kachin State has been tightened since June this year, shortage of medicines is getting worse.

CNI News
8 December 2024

Prior agreements have been reached before the election, chairman of the People's Party (PP) U Ko Ko Gyi told CNI News.

The meeting of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and political parties that have been registered was held in Naypyidaw from 5th to 6th December.

Agreements had been reached to conduct the reformations leading to federal and democracy; the coming election was different from previous elections because prior negotiations were conducted, said U Ko Ko Gyi.

" This is not the first time we discuss. Some agreements have been reached in the previous discussions. There are points to be discussed in details and those to be discussed again. We can't say it in detail at the moment. But we have agreed to conduct the reformations leading to federal and democracy as well as check and balance. But official amendment of the constitution can be conducted only when the Hluttaw appears. Previous elections were conducted without any prior discussions. So, There were confrontations regarding amendment of the constitution in the Hluttaw. But the coming election will be different from previous elections because we have reached some agreements after prior negotiations so that we can make significant reformations with a few disagreements." he said.

While seeing the NSPNC and political parties

The matters regarding amendment of the 2008 constitution and peace process based on NCA as well as the establishment of a federal union based on democracy and federalism and holding a free and fair multiparty democratic general election successfully were discussed at the meeting.

Political parties discussed pieces of advice and comments regarding the election, chairman of the Naga National Party (NNP) U Shu Maung told CNI News.

" We, political parties, discussed how we should make preparations and how the election should be held including voting systems if the election is held. Moreover, we frankly discussed pieces of advice and comments regarding how the election will be held at the meeting." he said.

Because the Myanmar Tatmadaw, EAOs and all political parties had accepted to build a federal democratic union, laws and provisions that went well with a federal democratic union were discussed, said political parties.

A general election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party in the election, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

CNI News

7 December 2024

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) reportedly met and discussed with political parties. 

The meeting was held in Naypyidaw from 5th to 6th December. 51 political parties which have been registered by the Union Election Commission attended the meeting. 

They discussed the federalism of India and the establishment of based on democracy and federalism union on December 5, and election, security and general matters, on December 6.