CNI News
2 March 2025

Myanmar QR code system (MMQR) would be used for online payment and systematic supervision must be conducted to prevent online fraud, said chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. He said the above while attending the MMQR, the national QR standard, launch ceremony on 27 February 2025.

Myanmar QR (MMQR) that can pay quickly and easily could be used in accordance with the international standards starting from 27 February 2025.
Because MMQR, a national-level standard, could be developed, the Central Bank of Myanmar would be able to carry out financial transactions and money transfers smoothly and securely, just like in other countries, said the SAC Chairman.

" MMQR is also a system that encourages the development of the country's digital economy. With the advancement of technology, digital payment could be performed systematically and smoothly while systematic monitoring and supervision would also be required," he said.

Online fraud gangs known as Zha pian are based in Myanmar and are committing online fraud internationally, the SAC is facing pressure from China.

After that, China, Myanmar and Thailand are cooperating to suppress online fraud gangs. Because of online fraud gangs, Myanmar people are worried about digital money service.

MMQR that the CBM has introduced will reportedly be connected to various banks in Myanmar.

MMQR System Introduction Ceremony was attended by AYA Bank owner U Zaw Zaw, CB Bank owner U Khin Maung Aye and A Bank owner U Zaw Win Shein.

CNI News

1 March 2025

Even if the Myanmar Tatmadaw dares to recognize the establishment of Palaung State, it won't accept to discuss with the Myanmar Tatmadaw, said general secretary of the Palaung State Liberation Front/ the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) Maj-Gen Tar Bone Kyaw.

Maj-Gen Tar Bone Kyaw wrote on his Facebook page under the title ' Incorrect strategy and lack of accountability' on 26 February 2025, which responded the comment of ' Bo Nan Wai Facebook account.

" The TNLA met with the "military council because of forcible pressure from China. There is nothing to give and take politically. Even if the military council dares to recognize the TNLA's political stance of gaining a state, it is not acceptable. It's still far from discussion with military council." said Maj-Gen Tar Bone Kyaw.

The TNLA met and discussed with the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Kunming, China with China's brokered engagement on 16th and 17th February 2025.

While seeing the TNLA's demand during its discussion with the Myanmar Tatmadaw

The TNLA demanded three points in the discussion and they are (1) the forces from two sides must stop where they arrive and cease fire; (2) both sides must cease all military activities, including offensives, drone strikes, heavy weapons fire, and airstrikes; (3) the two sides must allow the transportation of food and medicine for local people in areas controlled by both sides.

However, the discussion ended without any agreements and the two sides agreed to discuss again. 

The TNLA is an EAO that is trying to gain the Palaung State.

The Palaung State targeted by the TNLA includes Nansang, Mangtong, Namkham, Kutkai, Namtu, Thibaw, Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Monglong, Mong Ngor, Mongyai, Tangyan, Muse in northern Shan State, and Mabein, Mogok, and Mogok in Mandalay Region.

At present, the TNLA has captured Nansang, Mangtong, Namkham, Kutkai, Namtu, Thibaw, Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Monglong, Mong Ngor, Mongyai, Mabein, Mogok and Momeik during Operation-1027.

CNI News

28 February 2025

Those with unrestrained carrying weapons might become warlords at last, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News. 

Rules and boundaries are needed to control those who wield dangerous weapons. If such controls are not in place, they may eventually become warlords, he said.

" According to psychology, it is natural for a person to get excited when they hold a dangerous weapon. Rules and boundaries are needed to control it. It's necessary to establish an institution to follow the rules and regulations. Outside organizations would go a long way in doing this. To put it briefly, a leader of those with unrestrained carrying weapons eventually might be a warlord in a region at the highest level. As he is a warlord, his order and power depends on the weapons that he has held. If he has no exact political ideology, his group is very dangerous." he said.

While seeing those who have carried weapons

Armed conflicts have been taking place in Myanmar since 1948. Even though peace talks were conducted to end armed conflicts, agreements were broken and battles are breaking out again.

There were no democratic rights or no federal rights in the areas where armed groups have controlled, pointed out military and political analysts. 

Carrying weapons without proper regulations and controls was a concern, vice chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News.

"A person with a gun must be controlled by strict laws. Normally, a soldier must abide by not only civil law but also military law. We are worried about carrying weapons without any rules and regulations. We can know what will happen in the future." he said.

Having said that the NLD was trying to form a government without resolving a vote list dispute in the 2020 general election, the Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government and took the State power.

While seeing leaders from the MNDAA, the AA and the TNLA

After that, some NLD leaders, members of the Hluttaw, democratic elements and EAOs are waging battles to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the SAC. 

The Myanmar Tatmadaw must continue to wage the war because armed organizations are trying to gain power regionally, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Currently, battles are breaking out in Myanmar's Shan State, Kayin State, Chin State, Rakhine State, Mon State, Kayah State, Kachin State, Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Bago Region, Mandalay Region, and Tanintharyi Region. 

Due to these battles, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has lost control of more than 90 townships and two military commands.

In the same way, because of battles breaking out in Myanmar, there are over six million IDPs, stated the ISP Myanmar in the first week of October, 2024.

CNI News

28 February 2025

Only after political agreements that can solve Myanmar's political problems were reached, should a general election be held, chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) U Sai Nyunt Lwin told CNI News. 

The election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party; because of territorial instabilities, elections can be held separately by region, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. 
If elections were held in the SAC controlled areas, as the civilian government would not be able to influence the whole country, the situation could get worse, pointed out military and political analysts.

So, a political dialogue should be held first, said U Sai Nyunt Lwin.

While the SAC Chairman was meeting with political parties

" In my opinion, it's necessary to hold a political dialogue. In accordance with the agreement from the political dialogue, elections were held, some of Myanmar's problems would be solved. It could be an all-inclusive election. Now, elections that the SAC will hold will include those who support one side only. Because Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is in prison at the moment, her role won't be involved. Those who support her want her to be released. The SAC won't be able to do so." he said.

However, the SAC hasn't announced exactly the date when elections will be held even though the SAC has said that it will hold elections in 2025. Although peace talks are being held, as an all-inclusive situation cannot be created, it is unable to reach consensus that is acceptable to all.

Currently, the opposition, the SAC, and ethnic armed groups are talking about dialogue, but there is no consensus,7 EAO Alliance spokesperson U Naing Aung Ma Ngay told CNI. 

He said that a political dialogue should be opened up to all ethnic armed groups and political parties that deserve to participate so that a general election that could solve all the situations could arise.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

"Let's open the way for all stakeholders who deserve to be involved in a political dialogue. NCA signatories, NCA non-signatories, all political parties including those that have not yet been registered should take part in the dialogue, which is the best way to find a solution. The SAC, EAOs and the NUG are talking about dialogue, but there has been no consensus." said U Naing Aung Ma Ngay.

Although the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing announced that a general election would be held in August 2023, it could not be held. He had promised that the election would be held in 2025, but later he said that there needed to be peace and stability throughout the country so that a free and fair general election could be held.

Because battles are severely breaking out across the country, it is much less likely to hold the election, pointed out military and political analysts.

CNI News

27 February 2025

In Myanmar's political landscape, armed organizations that were revolutionizing the dictator became individuals, chairman of the Tai-Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) Sai Htay Aung told CNI News.

" Those who are revolutionizing the dictator become individuals who are worse than the dictator. The jungle armed groups are using illegal shooting, killing, and killing to intimidate the people and rule. Only the people suffer. In the current issue, when the people are in trouble, no development has happened. While revolutionizing the dictatorship in 1962 and 1988, there were bad incidents that communists committed. How much of the country's above-ground and underground resources have been lost in today's crisis? The state didn't get much of these resources and neither did the people. Most resources have been taken by armed organizations and their cronies." he said.

During a territorial dispute between the KIA and TNLA, while troops from both sides were punching one another with fists and kicks

Since the political changes of 2021, the number of armed resistance forces in Myanmar has increased more than ever. 

In order to find a solution through dialogue,The SAC has discussed only with two EAOs - the MNDAA and the TNLA. Although a ceasefire agreement has been reached between the SAC and the MNDAA, there has been no agreements between the SAC and the TNLA.

Although EAOs didn't want the 2008 constitution, the SAC was discussing maintaining the 2008 constitution. As long as the SAC has maintained the 2008 constitution, it won't be to achieve peace, pointed out military and political analysts.

Because there were many territories that EAOs have captured, temporary ceasefire only could be discussed, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) Sai Htay Aung told CNI News. He wanted to achieve eternal peace through any more discussions. He wanted to achieve eternal peace through more discussions, he added.

While seeing an anti-dictator movement

"The ceasefire is a step forward in the peace sector. More discussions must be conducted for the next step, which is our desire. Even though we don't achieve the entire peace, because of the ceasefire, people's lives will become easier. We want eternal peace through more discussions. According to EAOs, peace cannot be achieved under the 2008 constitution. The SAC has maintained the 2008 constitution. So, it's not easy to achieve peace. In any case, because we are all citizens, we'll unavoidably make an attempt to achieve peace." said Sai Htay Aung.

Although there were discussions to amend the 2008 constitution under former civilian governments, they were not successful; the current political landscape could not be changed by simply amending the 2008 constitution, some people pointed out.

CNI News

27 February 2025

EAOs no longer want democracy so much, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News. Some EAOs have expressed that they want the confederation level that is beyond democracy while others have warned their people to get ready to establish new countries of their own if the country fall apart.

So, according to the current political and military crises of Myanmar, federalism should be implemented as soon as possible, said Dr. Aye Maung.

" EAOs no longer want democracy so much. Wa (UWSA) is ruling its region with the one-party system. The AA has said that it will go with the unitary union system. Practically, EAOs will surely take self-governance and self-determination. It is the goal of all armed organizations rather than democracy. There is no democracy in the Wa region. It's the system that is led by only one party. But there may be democracy within the party or social democracy. So, we sholud implement federalism as soon as possible if we understand military and political crises." he said.

While seeing the UWSA

Region-based federalism must be used and it was the most suitable in implementing democracy and federalism, said the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 10th September 2023.

It is not enough for ethnic groups to simply demand self-governance and the right to shape their own destiny; they must govern the people democratically, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) U Myp Kyaw told CNI News.

"We cannot accept the idea that when others rule, you will revolt and then you will become dictators when you rule. Ethnic groups demand self-governance and self-determination. It's not enough for them to simply demand these things. To serve the people, they must be given the right to choose. So, democracy must be used surely. We must continue to revolutionize the dictator who became a dictator by revolutionizing the dictatorship. Some people will accept the dictatorship if the system" benefits them," he said.

While seeing former chairman of the KNU and chairman of the RCSS General Yawd Serk

The Arakan Army (AA) has expressed that it wants the confederation as the lowest level and the establishment of the Rakhine country at the highest level while general secretary of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) Major General Tar Bone Kyaw has warned the Palaung people to get ready for the establishment of their country of their own if needed.

Ethnic groups would think beyond federalism in 2025, said Lt-Gen Gun Maw, vice chairman of the KIA, during his meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The UWSA and the NDAA have built separate administrative systems and are existing independently and they are outside democracy and federalism, pointed out military and political analysts.

CNI News

27 February 2025

Political problems of Shan State and Myanmar would be resolved through discussion, released the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS). The RCSS urged stakeholders to hold face-to-face dialogues to build a federal democratic union on 25th February 2025.

The annual meeting of the RCSS was held in Loi Tai Leng, headquarters of the RCSS on 24th and 25th February in 2025 and the RCSS urged it.

"For the long-term sustainability of peace and the establishment of a federal democratic union, we strongly urge relevant organizations to meet face-to-face to discuss and resolve the problem." said in the statement of the RCSS.

They would continue to work with local communities in rural areas and townships to implement local governance, said the RCSS. When the RCSS was active in northern Shan State, joint forces from the TNLA, the SSPP and the UWSA fought against the RCSS after which the RCSS had to retreat from northern Shan State to southern Shan State.

In collaboration with the AA, the PDFs, the BPLA, the PLA, the KNDF, the DPLA, the MDY-PDF and the BNRA, the TNLA and the MNDAA launched Operation-1027 on 27th October 2023, and attacked and captured Lashio, Chin Shwe Haw, Phaungsai, Monkoe, Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Kyukote, Theinni, Kutkai, Thibaw, Namkham, Nansang, Mangtong, Mong Ngor, Monglong, Namtu, Kyaukme, and Nawnghkio Townships including the Northeast Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

In the same way, battles are breaking out between the PNO/PNA and PNLO/PNLA-PDF joint forces in southern Shan State while the RCSS has made military preparations, getting footholds in militarily important places, said locals.

Territorial disputes are emerging among armed groups - the TNLA, the KIA, the MNDAA, the UWSA, the RCSS, the SSPP, the PNLO and the PNO.

CNI News

27 February 2025

Wa (MNDAA) and Myla (NDAA) have acquired territories without being consistent with the 2008 constitution and used different administrative systems, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

Because the State Administration Council (SAC) is ruling the country under the 2008 constitution, when EAOs demand the territories that they have attacked and captured, it is impossible for the SAC to officially give the territories for the sake of peace, some people pointed out.

Although the SAC is ruling the country under the 2008 constitution , because it has allowed the Wa and the Myla to rule their regions with different ruling systems, which are questioned by some people.

According to the 2008 constitution, territories cannot be given to EAOs, different administrative systems have been given to the Wa and the Myla groups. In the long run, amendments could be conducted to give territories within the framework of the constitution, said Col. Khun Okkar.

While seeing the SAC Chairman and the 2008 Constitution

" Peace can only be achieved through political agreements that emerge from political dialogues. Because there are just pre-negotiations, EAOs expand territories and are demanding the territories to officially give them. But according to the 2008 constitution, the SAC can't give them. But the Wa and the Myla have different administrative systems. It's not consistent with the 2008 constitution. Although territories cannot be given according to the constitution, as there are things that have to be let go somehow, negotiations might arise. So, in the long run, the constitution could be amended in order to give territories officially. The current discussions are not on the same level. Some groups talk about territories. It is related to the constitution. Other groups don't accept the constitution. Ceasefire is needed so that these two cases can be discussed anymore." he said.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing urged armed groups to renounce weapons; he would not comply with the demand of armed groups using armed means; they would have to run the election and demand officially from the Hluttaw; armed groups were trying to gain power regionally; so, the SAC would have to continue to wage the war, he said.

While seeing Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo from the Myanmar Tatmadaw and Vice Chairman of the TNLA, Lt-Gen Tar Jock Ja

Those problems could not be resolved by fighting and it was necessary to resolve by dialogue, U Khun Sai who is taking part in the peace process, told CNI News.

" These problems cannot be solved by fighting. A problem cannot be solved by saying this is my country or my territory because those who can't give territories will fight back. The best way is to solve with dialogue. Rather than a debate, dialogues should be held for peaceful coexistence. If the problems are solved by armed means, the World War might end, Myanmar war cannot end." he said

The Myanmar Tatmadaw and the MNDAA signed a ceasefire agreement with China's brokered engagement, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Miss Mao Ning at the regular press conference on 20 January 2025.

After the ceasefire agreement, the MNDAA forces must retreat from Lashio, and Kutkai, Theinni, Kunlong and Laukkai Districts have been designated as the Special Region-1 by the Myanmar government; said an administrative official from the MNDAA on the Chinese New Year Day in video file which spread on social media.

In the same way, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw discussed in Kunming, China on 16th and 17th February 2025, but the discussion ended without any results.

There were reports that the TNLA demanded to officially recognize 16 townships that it has captured during Operation-1027 as the TNLA's townships in the discussion.

At present, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has lost control of the Northeast Command, the West Command and several hundred military camps including over 90 townships.

CNI News

26 February 2025

It is important that armed domestic or foreign private security companies that do not get involved in Myanmar's internal affairs, U Khun Sai who is taking part in the peace process, told CNI News.

The law relating to private security service that allows domestic or foreign security companies to carry weapons has been imposed under Section. 419 of the 2008 constitution, reported the State Administration Council on 18th February 2025.

It was important that these companies did not get involved in the country's affairs by securing security for their own interests. Moreover, there should be rules and regulations about it, said U Khun Sai.

While seeing the UWSA

" If the security companies are allowed to carry the weapons, there should be rules and regulations. It's always important that they don't get involved in the current affairs of the country. When the English established the British Empire, they started from commerce. They formed defense forces to protect their interests. To give a clear example, The British did business in India, they only protected their interests. But when they were familiar with the land owners, the British had to help their land owners when the land owners made war with other landowners. And then the British became more powerful and at last were able to capture the entire India. And then, the British arrived in Myanmar. Everyone must take care of this history so as not to be repeated" he said.

According to the law relating to the private security service, 75 percent of the staff of a licensed security company must be Myanmar nationals. If the company applies for a permit to carry weapons and ammunition, it must submit it to the National Defense and Security Council.

According to Section.42 (B) of the 2008 Constitution, no foreign troops will be allowed to be stationed in the country, allowing security companies to carry weapons is not consistent with the constitution, some people pointed out.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

The bylaw has not been issued; if the law relating to private security service was implemented without consideration of the country's sovereignty, the national interests could be hurt in the long run, general secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) told CNI News.

" The bylaw hasn't been released yet. What he (the SAC chairman) wants to do might not be consistent with the constitution. The bylaw must be imposed. The law could be imposed by his order. If he did it to ensure his continued power and his security without considering how much it could affect the future of the country, it could hurt the national interests in the long run." he said.

The law relating to private security service came out after the formation of a committee led by the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs on 22nd October 2024 in order to sign the proposal that would build a China-Myanmar Joint Security Company.