CNI News
18 May 2024

Rakhine politicians and domestic politicians are reviewing how the State Administration Council (SAC) and the Arakan Army (AA) will resolve the issue of Bangali people.

The issue of Bangalis has taken place more widely since early this year and  some people are worried that a communal clash will arise.

The issue has existed since Myanmar gained her independence and to be able to resolve the issue depends on the SAC and the AA, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News.

" The AA that is fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Buthidaung and  Maungdaw seems to be organizing Bangali people and at the same time the Myanmar Tatmadaw is giving military training to Bangali people as militias. If they are recruited in accordance with the People's Military Service Law, they will be granted citizen rights. If so, the SAC will guesstimate the possible future of Rakhine State and Myanmar, and so will the AA and the Rakhine people will estimate as well. There are so many Bengali people in northern Rakhine State such as Buthidaung and Maungdaw. It also depend on how one side will decisively win the other side." he said.

While seeing Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun

Because of the Myanmar Tatmadaw's clearance operations in 2017, about 750,000 Bengali people fled to Bangladesh, according to the Myanmar immigration department.

However, the number of Bengali people who fled to Bangladesh was above 1.2 million, said in the statistics of international organizations.

In relation to that incidence, international community imposed sanctions on the Myanmar Tatmadaw and prosecuted it at the International Court of Justice as well.

The group was always making an effort to get northern Rakhine State. The current issue arose due to the political landscape, U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the policy steering committee of the Arakan National Party, told CNI news.

While seeing the AA was taking Bengalis away from the battle

" This is not a new issue. When Britain retreated from Myanmar and Japan started invading Myanmar, undesirable big problems took place under the leadership of  the people who wanted northern Rakhine State. There were even genocides in 1942. The problem has started since 1942." he said.

The Tatmadaw, government and security forces never started any communal conflict and it was started by ethnic groups, Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC.

"The government, security forces, the Tatmadaw and government employees never started every communal conflict. Ethnic people only started. The communal conflicts had to be resolved by the government, security forces and governments. So, the government or security forces never agitated to arise a communal conflict because they would be too busy. And they have to take responsibility and accountability a lot. At present the AA is conducting to become a racial conflict." he said.

At present, Bengali people are protesting against the AA and the AA also is accusing the Myanmar Tatmadaw of exploding Bengali people.

CNI News

18 May 2024

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation is drafting a law to designate gold trading as an important service industry, according to the Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association (YGEA).

In order to take action against rising domestic gold price and selling gold at incorrect prices, the government carried out to restore the gold market by designating gold trading as an important service industry, U Myo Myint, chairman of the YGEA, told CNI News.

" The law is being drafted. The law is coming out soon to designate gold trading as an important service industry. Brokers who work by phone or digital platform will be taken action against. Some gold shops sell gold at an incorrect prices. The law will applies penalties such as prison terms. If the has been approved, gold shops must comply with the law. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation is drafting the law. Punishment will seemingly be added to existing instructions."

If the law came out, speculation of gold prices and gold price volatility would die out and gold speculators would be taken action against under the law, said gold entrepreneurs.

Because the authorities have controlled gold shops and gold entrepreneurs regarding gold trading for various reasons, gold shops are selling gold at a different price on voucher reportedly. Moreover, some people are selling illegally and there are also cross-border Illegal exports of gold.

The law may impact on gold contraband trades or gold black market for a while, Ko Nay Khant, a gold market analyst, told CNI News.

" There will be impact because the government will impose a law. But in my opinion, I think the negative effect is more because a thing that should not be controlled will be controlled. It is useful for a while. It won't be convenient in the long run. Mainly, it can affect the black market. Gold trading can stop in cities for a moment. But later trading will be conducted again." he said.

Domestic gold prices hit record highs and pure gold is over 490,000 kyats per tical.

According to the current domestic situation, officials are not in a position to put pressure on the gold market, pointed out gold market analysts and entrepreneurs.

CNI News

17 May 2024

Most IDPs from Loikaw have not been able to go home according to the security condition, a Loikaw IDP told CNI News. 

It was impossible for 80 percent of Loikaw IDPs to go home and their houses and motorcycles were also burnt and damaged, he said.

" It's impossible for us to enter Liokaw because battles are breaking out every so often. In my opinion, it's not safe to enter Loikaw. Those who lived in the wards, downtown area don't come back. Even if one side decisively won the other side, how can they go home because their housed are no more. The houses had been burned down. Some of the people who lived in the outskirts of the city went back. Some of the who went home has returned because the battles were breaking out." said a Loikaw IDP.

While seeing the KNDF Force

Because the battles stop, if IDPs go home, the mines have not been cleared. No one will take responsibility for civilian casualties caused by mines, he added. After Karenni evolutionary forces launched Operation-1111, battles severely broke out in Loikaw and residents of the city fled to safety.

In the operation are included the Karenni Army (KA), the Karenni National Defense force (KNDF), the Karenni National People's Liberation Front (KNPLF), the Demoso People's Defense Force (DMO-PDF), the Loikaw PDF, the Mobye PDF, the Pekon PDF Battalion 1006, the Urban Revolutionary Front (URF) and Southern Shan State PDF reportedly.

Although IDPs have fled to safety for nearly six months, they have not been able to go home up to now, a resident of Loikaw told CNI News.

While seeing the IDPs

" We have left Loikaw for about six months to flee fighting. We can't enter Loikaw up to now." he said.

One side has not decisively won the other side to capture Loikaw up to now and battles only are breaking out, according to locals.

Nearly 40,000 residents of Loikaw had to flee to Pinlaung, Sesai, Nyaung Shwe and Taunggyi in southern Shan State because of battles.

CNI News

17 May 2024

Bride trafficking market in which brokers cheat and take way, giving Myanmar women at the China-Myanmar border area an incentive that jobs would be available to be wives of Chinese men is getting bigger, philanthropic associations in Muse told CNI News. 

300 Myanmar people or so are daily leaving for the Chinese side through Muse with a one-time use border pass card and red book border pass whose validity is one month each.

Although the bride trafficking market for Chinese men had existed since before, because of job scarcity at present, the market was getting bigger, U Sein Hla Aung, vice chairman of Kanlet Kunyi Philanthropic Association, told CNI News.

"All the cases regarding the red book, one week border pass card and UID are just fake. But the people are leaving for the Chinese side. Some women went to China knowingly that there is bride trafficking on the Chinese side. Others came to know they were trafficked only when they had arrived there. One time use of border pass card holders and red book holders can leave China anytime. One week's card is not reliable. To tell you the truth, if possible, you shouldn't go to China. Don't come if you don't have a UID." he said.

When women are called to work as wives of Chinese men, brokers or liars tend to use Facebook and WeChat, social media platforms reportedly. Women often are sold to Yunnan Province to be wives of Chinese men and a woman could be sold at 10,000 yuans there reportedly.

Human trafficking markets existed before and authorities were weak in taking action against the culprits, reviewed those who discussed human trafficking.

In cases of human trafficking, rather than being assisted by other organizations, scrutiny and action by authorities was mainly important. However, women concerned  are more important, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.

"Myanmar is different from its neighboring countries in the policy tackling human trafficking. If you commit more than human trafficking, it can become a crime. For example, people are sold and they are sent to another place. But if these people are not tortured, killed or subjected to violence, it's not a serious crime. If not, it's a serious crime." he said.

In most cases of human trafficking, they are because of the incentives of familiar people and women from Yangon, Bago, Magway and other townships including the women near the China-Myanmar border area are being trafficked reportedly.

CNI News

17 May 2024

Fuel would be allowed to be carried and sold in the territories only dominated by the National Unity Government within Homalin Township, Homalin Township People's Administration Organization stated on 14th May, 2024. 

Fuel that is carried from Monywa, Khun Hla and other townships would be allowed to be sold in the territories only dominated by the NUG, the organization stated.

People would not be allowed to carry fuel to the places out of territory dominated by the NUG and sell it; the terminals where fuel could be sold are Shwe Pyi Aye Town by waterway (Chindwin River) and Aung Pinle Village by road, said in the statement.

Those who carry fuel outside of restricted area and sell would be taken action against severely, said in the statement. 

While seeing the statement released by the PDF

“If you study the statement released by the Homalin PDF, you can find out it seems to cut the Tatmadaw and the Shanni Nationalities Army from food, fund, information and recruitment. Gold mining may also be affected. Locals may find it difficult in their transport and agricultural industry." said a politician.

The battles are currently breaking out between the KIA/PDF joint forces and the Myanmar Tatmadaw/the SNA in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region. The KIA/PDF joint forces are carrying out to capture Homalin, said locals.

If the KIA/PDF was able to control Homalin Town, it could control Naga regions and widely conduct military activities. Moreover, arms, ammunition and manpower necessary to increase the speed of military activity could be carried from Kachin State, said a military analyst.

CNI News

16 May 2024

As many Rakhine farmers had to run away due to battles and there are difficulties to get fertilizers and fuel, the cultivation of the rainfed rice will decline, according to farmers. 

Although there were over 11 lakh acres of rainfed rice cultivation in the past, there were only over 8 lakhs last year for many reasons. This year, there are only about 6 lakh acres of rainfed rice, estimated farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.

Rice can be grown in Mrauk U and Kyawtaw Townships where there are no battles. 

Farmers in Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships have to displace due to battles; artillery shells falling down and explosion in farmlands and due to mine hazards, farmers could not grow rice, U Maung Thein Hla, secretary of the Danyawady Farmers Federation, Mrauk U Township, told CNI News.

" According to the township statistics, there are 110,000 acres of rainfed rice cultivation in the entire Rakhine State. Farmers could grow rice on over 800,000 acres last year, but this year, 600,000 acres at most. The townships where rice is grown most are Mrauk U and Kyauktaw and there are no battles there as well. Rice cannot be grown in Ponnagyun. The situations in Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw are getting worse. The people from 50 villages had to displace. They can't think about growing rice. We can do nothing in Sittwe Township. Artillery shells fall down in Pauktaw Township and there are mine hazards as well. No one clears them. Some farmers could not even reap rainfed rice last year." he said.

While seeing the AA force

Rice can be grown on 100,000 acres each in Mrauk U and Kyauktaw Townships and just on a few acres in Minbya, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung Townships reportedly.

Because the flow of goods into Rakhine State has been closed, prices of inputs such as fuel and fertilizer necessary for growing rice are so expensive that it is difficult to buy them.

Some farmers don't have enough capitals and seeds to sow, U Kyaw Hla, a Rakhine farmer, told CNI News. 

" Some farmers have rice that they harvested last year, but they can't sell it. Because of difficulties to get fuel and fertilizer, any farmer hasn't made a decision to grow rice again. Some farmers don't even have seeds to sow." he said.

Although the price of gasoline was about 500,000 kyats per barrel last year in Rakhine State, the current price is over 1,800.000 kyats per barrel; the price of fertilizer is 100,000 to 200,000 kyats per bag and it is too difficult to buy them reportedly.

Because input prices are skyrocketing, the cost for growing rice also will be higher. Although it cost a farmer about 500,000 kyats to grow rice on an acre in the past, it would cost about 1,000,000 kyats this year, said farmers.

CNI News

16 May 2024

Because according to the current Myanmar political situation, meeting and discussion could not produce a correct answer, it had to think about military means, Col. Nawbu, information officer of the Kachin Independence Organization(KIO)/the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), told CNI News.

Politically, the domestic problem must be discussed and according to the current situation, attack must be conducted, he said.

" Politically, domestic problem must be discussed to find a correct answer. Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Tatmadaw are always creating problems. I don't think the discussion can produce a correct answer for the time being. We have to fight a bit, I think. This is just my opinion, but not the attitude of the KIO. They also didn't thoroughly discuss political rights what we, ethnic people, want. So, we have to think about military means, I think." he said to CNI News.

While seeing former Chinese Special Envoy to Myanmar and vice chairman of the KIA Lt-Gen Gun Maw

After Myanmar gained her independence in 1948, because ethnic people launched armed resistances to demand equal rights and self-determination, domestic armed conflicts took place. Because of political landscapes that changed after 1st February, 2021, armed conflicts tool place not only in border areas but also in the mainland.

Currently, the KIO/KIA is putting pressure on the Myanmar Tatmadaw by giving military training to the People's Defense Forces (PDFs) arising from the Spring Revolution, providing arms and ammunition, and waging joint operations.

The only way that could resolve in order to make armed conflicts end, rights must be imposed in the constitution, and it was necessary to have an assembly that could negotiate constitutional principles, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) told CNI News.  

While seeing General N Ban La, former Chinese Special Envoy and former UN diplomat

" The only way that can end armed conflicts is to impose rights and responsibilities in the constitution. We have to rely on the constitution to organize the Myanmar Tatmadaw in a less conflict manner. We need a place where all dissident armed groups can negotiate. It is an assembly where constitutional principles can be negotiated. I wonder the State Administration Council will open the assembly and neighboring countries will encourage it. We'll review it at present." he said.

Although domestic armed conflicts have been taking place for over 70 years, it cannot resolved up to now. Armed organizations involving in the current conflict are making efforts to decisively beat each other while some EAOs and political parties are trying to resole the problem by political means.

CNI News

15 May 2024

Although the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has opened the Namkham-Naung Taung border gate, a China-Myanmar border gate, businessmen and politicians are asking a question how the TNLA is opening the border trade gate on which agreement. 

Although the Namkham-Naung Taung border gate has been opened since 29th April, it was not officially opened with the permission from the Chinese government. However, it was opened for the regional public livelihood only, Lwei Yay Oo, spokesperson of the TNLA, told CNI News.

" We didn't open the gate with the permission from China but for the regional public livelihood. But not much trading yet. It's necessary to negotiate with the Chinese government to officially open." she said.

While seeing Namkham Town

Basic foodstuffs and construction materials are being imported from China through the Namkham border gate and  regionally produced sugarcane, corn, charcoal and metal are being exported to China from Namkham reportedly.

Although that border gate has been opened, it is not easy for the people from other regions; bridges that were damaged by the battles along the border trade route have not been repaired as yet; so it is not easy to carry goods from the mainland, according to traders.

Opening the Namkham border gate was beneficial to the Namkham locals only and it was necessary to open Sinphyu Gate, Man Wein Gate and Nandaw Gate for other locals, Ko Thitsar, a trader, told CNI News.

While seeing the SSPP force

" It's not easy for the people from Muse to pass the Namkham gate. Namkham has been controlled by the TNLA. It's unlikely to go there safely. The people from Muse don't go to Namkham. In fact, if they open border gates, Sinphyu, Man Wein and Nandaw Gates also should be opened." he said.

The Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) was collecting tac at the Namkham-Naung Taung border gate last month and it is unclear how the two EAOs have negotiated. Moreover, there have been territorial disputes and administrational struggles between the two EAOs.

CNI News

15 May 2024

In response to the evolving economic environment, the Ministry of Labor is planning to put forward a bill to protect workers, reported in the Thai media. Basic social security benefits and strong legal protection are more beneficial to the migrant workers in Thailand. 

However, they were working only to increase wages, U Min Oo, In charge of Labor Affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

" They mainly discuss about not asking workers to work for more than eight hours and about giving pregnant workers maternity leave. And they are also discussing about increasing wages. It must be approved in October. 40 percent of the employers agree to give workers 400 bahts a day. But 17 percent doesn't agree with it. The rest percent agree to give wages, depending on qualification." he said.

A workplace in a garment factory

Although the Thai government is planning to increase until 400 bahts, some employers don't agree to increase wages and it should be reconsidered, they argued. However, according to a research, because the percentage that agree is more, wages could be increased until 400 bahts, said U Min Oo.

In the bill proposed, not only to promote the workers' skill, development and recognition, funds also would be built to protect workers, said the Minister for Labor.

He hoped that restriction regarding jobs on migrant workers would be relaxed in the bill, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan workers Organization, told CNI News.

Migrant workers who are coming back from a construction site

" The Thai authorities reviewed the laws regarding workers and they formed a committee which cooperates with regional non-government organizations to collect figures and lists. Depending on the facts and information the committee submit, they will make a decision whether the laws should be amended or not. Mainly, what we demanded is to relax the restriction on migrant workers regarding kinds of jobs. For example, migrant workers are not allowed to open a barber shop or to sell goods." he said.

A working committee was formed to find job opportunities for workers and 20 million people are illegally working as farmers, roadside vendors, sub-contract workers, taxi drivers and those who serve in the transportation, reported the Thai media quoted by the minister.