CNI News

6 July 2024

There are discussions and reviews among the political circles regarding what the role of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the current Myanmar politics is. 

The State Administration Council (SAC) might present DASSK to the public if there was anything to do with western countries, Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News.

"As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is currently under complete control, she might not know latest developments. But as U Thein Sein has been presented to the public, DASSK possibly will be presented. Because Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is closer to the western group, if there's anything to do with the western countries, she might be presented to the public. U Thein Sein was presented to the public regarding eastern forces such as China. It's right. When the East and the West are competing in strength, both of them will be presented to the public, I think." he said.

While President (retired) U Thein Sein and Chinese President Xi Jinping

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy Party (NLD) has been detained in the Naypyidaw Prison since 1st February 2021. 

At present armed conflicts are widely taking place across the country and western countries have imposed sanctions against Myanmar. 

The SAC was trying to use Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and to weaken the revolution, Dr.Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" They seem to be trying to use DASSK. But she doesn't consider to be used at all this time. Because she didn't say what they like, she was not released, I think. Because they said often that she had been moved here or there, they did that on purpose to cause different ideas between strong revolutionary forces and weak ones, I think." she said.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to 33 years in prison for 19 cases and she got six years of parole on 1st August.

Some members of the NLD including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint, leaders of the NLD were arrested on 1st February, 2021 that started political changes.

CNI News

6 July 2024

Restraint and gentleness were needed in taking action against the private banks that lent housing loans more than the amount designated by the Central Bank of Myanmar, economic and banking experts told CNI News. 

Although taking action against these banks was right, the authorities should tackle the problem restrainedly and cleverly or negative consequences could emerge, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

" Theses private banks were wrong, but the government should tackle the problem restrainedly because the banking industry collapses, other economic industries will collapse. Action must be taken in a way that educates them. If they are forcefully suppressed, bad consequences will emerge. The Central Bank must gradually take action little by little. If they are taken action against at once, their customers will suffer. They should be given a period to solve the problem. Sometimes, there are many cases that cannot be taken action at once in the world." he said.

Taking action against relevant private banks regarding housing loans could not impact on housing loan borrowers and the private banks that have lent the loans mainly would have to solve it, he pointed out. 

While demonstrating the housing loan

Private banks have been allowed to Lend housing loans with a loan term of more than (3) years, depending on the total bank loans in order to improve home ownership opportunities for the people.

However, seven private banks have lent housing loans excessively to make them more profitable, violating the instruction of the Central Bank, said in the statement released by the government.

Officials concerned will supervise in order to go back to the terms and conditions related to housing loans that was released by the Central Bank within the period designated reportedly. As more taxes had to be paid when buying real estate, more agricultural lands were being bought, a real estate agent told CNI News.

" As the current real estate transaction, rather than real estate transaction with full documentation, farmlands are bought or sold, filling over the farmlands with ground at a lower price. To tell you frankly, it's difficult to apply for property document. So, transactions are being conducted with promissory notes. Because regional departments are also corrupt, it might be difficult to solve them sometime in the future." he said.

According to Section 154 of the Financial Institutions Act of the Central Bank, the private banks that lent the loans more than the amount designated would have to pay effective fines and officials from the Central Bank who were weak in supervising private banks would be taken action against, said in the statement.

Taking administrative action contains warning, fining, restrictions on the operations of financial institutions, suspension or cease of serving in financial institutions.

CNI News

5 July 2024

The Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr.Cheng Hai and the Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing discussed the peace and stability of the border areas and the ability to hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election. 

Mr. Cheng Hai, the Chinese ambassador, will leave Myanmar after completing his duties and when he came and met with chairman of the SAC on 4th July, 2024, they discussed the above issues.

China and Myanmar are strategic partner countries and they discussed the situations relating to the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and friendship and cooperation developments, stated the SAC.

Moreover, the efforts of the State for the development of Myanmar and achievement of the domestic peace and the circumstances of China's assistance; cooperation for stability and peace in the border region, and the preparations in relation to the ability to hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election were discussed by the Chinese Ambassador and the chairman of the SAC.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF) and the Danu People's Defense Force (DPDF) together are attacking the Northeastern Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Lashio and military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Kyaukme and Nawnghkio.

In the same way, the TNLA, the MDY-PDF and the PDF in Madaya Township are attacking the military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Mogok, Momeik, Madaya and Sint Ku.

On the other hands, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has said that a general election would be held in 2025 after conducting census-taking in 2024.

The National Unity Government (NUG) and the PDFs that are opposition forces have announced that they would destroy the election that the SAC would hold in order that the election could not be held.

CNI News

5 July 2024

According to the four month long arresting plan, the Thai authorities are searching, checking and arresting all over the country and they could more strictly check and arrest in the border areas, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Rights Foundation, told CNI News.

" Every country gives priority to their countries' security. The Thai authorities will more strictly check the border camps or outposts, and the channels of human traffickers and brokers, I think. More security forces will be deployed. Those who want to enter Thailand for many reasons need to read or listen to news and information in advance." he said.

The Thai authorities have officially release the four month (120 days) long arresting plan that would. arrest, fine and send back to native countries if undocumented migrant workers were found. 

The plan started in June and within the first 24 days of the plan, nearly 80,000 illegal migrant workers were arrested and of them, over 60,000 are Myanmar migrant workers, stated the Thai Ministry of Labor.

While seeing a fishery workplace in Thailand

During the period of arresting plan, because the number of people who came and applied for CI was few, CI book issuing process would be suspended starting from 7th July, announced the Thai Ministry of Labor.

" At first, they said that CI issuing would be transferred to the Myanmar Embassy in October. But now they will transfer before October to want those who don't have CI books to apply for CI." said Ko Moe Lay who lives in Mae Sot told CNI News.

Migrant workers with work permits were included in the people who were arrested because they were working in the different places from those described on documents reportedly.

According to the Thai law, undocumented workers and workers working in the employments that they are not allowed - if they were found, they would be fined 5,000 to 50,000 bahts. Moreover, they would be sent back to their native countries and banned from working for two years.

According to the current plan, the Thai authorities entered 203 places including shops, factories, workshops, construction sites and restaurants and arrested illegals reportedly.

CNI News

5 July 2024

Battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)/allies joint forces because the joint forces attacked the Northeastern Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw by drones and 107 mm shock missiles. 

Because the 107 mm shock missiles fell and exploded on the houses of civilians, nine civilians were killed at least.

So, residents of Lashio left the city by car in order to avoid battles. The long convoy of IDP cars was found to be waiting to cross the river at Sint In between Lashio and Thibaw on 4th July.

CNI News

5 July 2024

Some civilians were killed because Lashio had been attacked with heavy weapons and shock missiles since 2nd July, locals told CNI News. 

The brotherhood alliance forces attacked the Northeastern Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw with drones and shock missiles. 

And then the Myanmar Tatmadaw fired back with heavy weapons reportedly.

There have been nine civilian deaths in Lashio up to now and there are still heavy weapon fires, a philanthropist in Lashio told CNI News.

" Seven civilians were killed on 3rd July and two were killed this morning of 4th July. Heavy weapon shells fell down on 9 Ward in Lashio this morning. There are still heavy weapon fires up to now. The Myanmar Tatmadaw fire back with heavy weapons from inside Lashio." he said.

Because of the current military situation, all entrances and exits to Lashio have been closed and there have been military tensions reportedly. 

While seeing a heavy weapon shell fell on the Lashio City Golf Course

The people who lived in wards near the Myanmar Tatmadaw have left for other places and the people from the villages near Lashio have fled to safety, a resident of Lashio told CNI News.

" The people from the wards near the Myanmar Tatmadaw have moved to the places a little far from the Myanmar Tatmadaw. Some people gather at the Kachin Churches while others, at Wa Church. The people from the villages near Lashio went to farther rural areas or caves to stay." he said.

The EAO that came to attack Lashio has been surely known to be the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). However, it is reported that the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) and the United Wa State Army (UWSA/UWSP) attacked Lashio with the MNDAA. However, it could not be confirmed yet, he added.

Although that piece of news has come out, the UWSA and the SSPP have not released any news yet.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw and EAOs had reinforced their troops and weapons in and around Lashio since June reportedly.

CNI News

4 July 2024

The Union Election Commission (UEC) stated on 1st July that it refused the ANP (the Arakan National Party)'s application for the party registration because the party got entangled with or violated the Section 7 of the Political Party Registration Act. 

Their party had applied for the registration for over one year and the UEC could have pointed out the requirements the party should have carried out during the past year. 

The UEC didn't seem to want to register their party, U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the Policy Steering Committee of the ANP, told CNI News.

" Our ANP is the most popular party in Rakhine State. If they appreciated us as a political party, they should have pointed out the requirements that we had to meet during the past year because we had applied for the registration for over one year. Why they expressed that were inconsistent with Section-7 (of the Political Parties Registration Act) just now. The UEC doesn't seem to want us to register. We applied with a list of 25 people. I don't know what to say if they didn't allow us to register because we or one of us kept in touch with an unlawful individual or organization." he said.

While the ANP was putting up its signboard

According to the Political Parties Registration Act, organizations that encourage and support directly or indirectly organizations that have been declared illegal associations, organizations that are armed against the state and organizations designated by the State as terrorist organizations must not be allowed to apply for the registration.

Increasing participation of ethnic groups facilitated negotiation and discussion, but she had no rights to comment about political party registration, Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein from the Federal Democratic Party, told CNI News.

" As we are trying to make peace, we want all ethnic groups to participate because the more ethnic groups participate, the more convenient we negotiate. We want all ethnic groups in the country to have peace. But we have no rights to comment about the political party registration." she said.

They haven't decided how to proceed in relation to being refused to register their party and the ideas saying the political problem must be solved with political means must be broadened, U Tun Aung Kyaw from the ANP told CNI News.

" Battles are widely taking place in our country. So, the people are suffering a lot. We have been continuously trying to widen the political frame. It's sad that we were rejected. 

It's time all the stakeholders should carry out to broaden ideas and perceptions that can solve political problems through political means so that the hardships of the people can be overcome." he said.

The ANP is a powerful political party in Rakhine State and it won most of the seats in the general elections.

CNI Article 

4 July 2024 

The move of the Chinese Communist Party to expel General Wei Fanghe and General Li Shangfu from the CCP for corruption and initiate prosecution against them has rekindled the possibility that some of the long-range missiles under the command of the Rocket Force of the People’s Liberation Army have been filled with water instead of fuel and that the silo set up in the Xinjiang region to house some of these missiles has lids that do not fit properly; reports that Western observers had at one stage dismissed as too far-fetched. 

When General Wei and his successor General Li were sacked as Defence Minister of China in quick succession in 2023 and disappeared from public view, the world was searching for an answer to the question why. Officially, they had been accused of bribery; with no explanation offered.

 It was then that a report surfaced, quoting U.S. intelligence sources, that some of the long range missiles in the arsenal of China had been found to be filled with water and that a missile silo had a defective lid. 

While meeting the 2 defense ministers who were charged with corruption

In other words, a great scam was under way in the strategic Rocket Force of the PLA; raising serious doubts about the strike power of the Chinese armed forces and the question if the PLA was a paper tiger.

As the Centre for Strategic and International Studies wrote in January 25, 2024, in December 2023 “nine top military officials were removed in what was being called a ‘purge,’ including officials from the Strategic Rocket Forces that oversaw China’s nuclear-armed missiles.  
Subsequent reporting indicated the purge was due to ‘widespread corruption’ that has undermined ‘efforts to modernize the armed forces and raised questions about China’s ability to fight a war,’ according to U.S. Intelligence. Specifically, Chinese missiles were allegedly filled with water.” 

Experts had doubted if the report ascribed to U.S. intelligence was true. “There would be no reason to put water in the missiles unless it was deliberate sabotage. If it was deliberate sabotage, China would not just be purging this or that official. They would have been arrested, tried and shot. Sabotage or the destruction of strategic nuclear missiles is a very serious crime. The idea that some officials would just be dismissed from their job is not a response to anything of this level of criminal significance,” a columnist in the Asia Times wrote last January.

While meeting the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party

His suggestion was that the story of missiles being filled with water had been planted by the “Xi clique” as a red herring. According to him, President Xi is in trouble because of a power struggle within China. He is now using the ploy of a corruption probe to eliminate his competitors and anyone he thinks is a threat to his leadership. 

Significantly, both General Wei and General Li had been high-ups in the CCP hierarchy. Both had served as State Councillors, the top post in the Chinese Communist Party, and had been members of the Central Military Commission; the overall high command of the PLA headed by President Xi himself.

And there are plenty of reasons for President Xi to be in trouble. “There has been growing scepticism of Beijing’s reports of a robust expansion. China is plagued with symptoms of a sinking economy: deepening deflation, crumbling property prices, continuing debt defaults, a weakening currency, accelerating capital flight, and failing local governments,” Newsweek has observed.

Now, however, both the former Defence Ministers of China who have been expelled from the CCP are set to be prosecuted in what has been regarded as the worst scandal to hit the PLA, says the latest report from Beijing; belying conjectures that the two Generals have been let off leniently. 

Xinhua, the state-run news agency of China, has reported: “Li Shangfu betrayed his original mission, betrayed the trust of the Party Central Committee and Central Military Commission and caused great damage to the party cause and national defence;” grave charges indeed which, according to observers, may mean life imprisonment for General Li; a Chinese aerospace engineer who had headed the all important Rocket Force of the PLA and had been selected for the top defence post by President Xi himself. 

While seeing Xi Jinping

Earlier, he had spent decades in the Equipment Division which looked after procurements for the PLA. He went missing in 2023.

The crimes of General Wei were said to be extremely serious, with a highly detrimental impact and tremendous harm, according to the findings of an investigation. General Wei took over at the helm of the Second Artillery Corps of the PLA in 2012 and continued to lead the key part of the nuclear arsenal of China after it was restructured as the Rocket Force in 2015. 

In the typical style of the CCP, the charge sheets against the two generals of the PLA are verbose but vague. According to Xinhua, their actions have failed the trust of the CCP Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, have severely contaminated the political environment of the military; bringing enormous damage to the cause of the party, the development of national defence and the armed forces, and the image of senior officials.

The sacking of the two generals and their disappearance had coincided with the dismissal of nine other generals from the National People’s Congress in December 2023, including previous and serving commanders of the PLA Rocket Force and the Air Force; as well as several Central Military Commission officials with the Equipment Development Department. Their summary dismissals had sent shockwaves in the Chinese military.

Corruption in the Chinese military has raised questions about the ability of the PLA to achieve military objectives and attain the target of “great rejuvenation” as envisioned by President Xi. The Federation of American Scientists has stated in an open letter to U. S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin that these flaws, if true, would compromise military operations of China and raised concern that the information of the U.S. government on China’s arsenal may not be accurate or reliable. However, it is understood that the American military is not letting the guard down and is not changing anything about its current nuclear policy. 

CNI News

4 July 2024

Due to flooding in Ayeyarwady, Maykha Rivers and some streams with heavy rains, they were finding it difficult in carrying out relief operations, social assistance associations told CNI News.

Although the water level has gone down in some places, the water level has not in other places. So, it is still necessary to carry out emergency relief operations for the flood victims and boats and fuel are needed to do so, an official from Shwe Myittar Shwe Set Social Assistance Association, told CNI News.

" It's difficult to get enough fuel in Myitkyina. Roadside fuel shops have been flooded. We can't get fuel from pump stations as much as we want. The price of fuel has been 10,000 to 15,000 kyats per liter, I heard. We need fuel to carry out relief operations. There are places where you can't go by car, so you need boats and fuel." he said.

While the flood victims in Myitkyina were being assisted and relieved

Because so many houses were submerged due to flood in Kachin State, over 10,000 people were evacuated to monasteries and large buildings on higher land reportedly.

At present, flood victims are desperately in need of food and dresses and some flood victims have been homeless because their houses were washed away by the water current, according to social assistance associations.

Although Myitkyina and Waingmaw Townships experienced floods in 2004, the floods this year are getting worse, an official from the branch office in Kachin State of Myanmar Social Relief Organization told CNI News.

While seeing the flood victims in Myitkyina

" The flood this year gets worse than 2004. We don't get enough boats and fuel. Now all the social assistance associations from Mohnyin, Mogaung and Namti Towns. Although the water level has gone down, the water level is until your chest and other places, to your waist. The water level hasn't gone down at all in Kyet Paung Gyan. Schools can't be opened yet. They will take one or two weeks because they were completely flooded." he said.

The water level of Ayeyarwady River had been higher since the morning of 30th June and the level reached 1406 cm on 1st July although the critical water point is 1200 cm of Myitkyina.

The floods started taking place in Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Chipwi, Tanai and Hpakant on the low-lying places on 30th June and it might be delayed to finish reconstruction tasks, reviewed social assistance and relief associations.