CNI News

21 September 2024

Because plantation acres were damaged by million throughout the country due to flood, rice export should be weighed and conducted after laying down an appropriate policy, businessmen and agricultural advisors told CNI News. 

Although the plantations that were damaged would not impact on the rice market to be exported, it could impact on the rice market within months to come, U Aung Pyit Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

" Because of the plantations that were damaged recently, the rice market to be exported could not be affected. But it can affect the rice market within 6 or 7 months to come. The rice that will gain from currently planted rainfed paddy will be sent to the market. If the rice was to be exported, four to six months later, the government should control the rice export after laying down a policy. While the cultivated acres are being fixed, only if the government can control the rice export, will the domestic rice market be stable." he said.

While rice was being exported

Because foreign currency could be earned from exporting rice, it was impossible to stop exporting rice; but according the current situation, the priority must be given to the domestic food security, pointed out agricultural experts. Because there is demand for rice from abroad, only after the domestic demand has been met, rice export should be conducted, Ko Zaw Min Naing, an economic advisor, told CNI News.

" Because of natural disaster that took place recently, the priority must be given to the domestic food security, I think. In the situation like this, it's very challenging to export Myanmar rice, I think. It will become questionable if there is enough rice within the country. Moreover, rice was produced in Kachin State in the past. In Shan State as well, Shan rice is produced. Demand for rice is high in other regions that don't produce rice. Now, both Kachin and Shan States are flooded. The paddy yield is seriously affected. So, demand for rice will be high, which can be said without seeing the data." he said.

Due to flood, Kalaw Town was being sunk

Although rice and paddy warehouse entrepreneurs and merchants were asked to register in the past, now all the rice shops including small ones must register for storage permit reportedly.

Asking to register like this was because the government wanted to know exactly the amount of rice that had been stored and in comparison with the reserve rice, it was likely to weigh the domestic food security.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar rice was exported for 500 million dollars until January this year.

CNI News

20 September 2024

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) announced on 19th September 2024 it would neither collaborate with the National Unity Government (NUG) nor expand the war. 

The following has been stated regarding the situation of the State so as not make unwanted things emerge, announced the MNDAA. 

The MNDAA won't change its political position called to win self-governance and it won't make efforts to secede from the State, to rob the sovereignty of the State and to establish a new country after gaining the independence, said in the statement.

" Not collaborating with foreign elements that go against China or Myanmar, not relating with them and not making ally are the political red line. The MNDAA won't carry out cooperate with the NUG in military and politics, and expand any battlegrounds as well as to launch offensives to Mandalay and Taunggyi. But it will maintain its self-defense right" said in the statement. 

While seeing the statement released by the MNDAA

And the MNDAA specially requested China to mediate the situation of Myanmar that is getting worse; it will actively collaborate with China after it ceases fire and find an answer through a political dialogue, said the MNDAA.

The Chinese has warned the MNDAA, the TNLA and the AA not to have anything to do with the NUG/PDF, not to deal with the US and European countries and to stop implementing Operation-1027, said those close to diplomatic circles and these armed groups.

In collaboration with the TNLA, the AA, the BPLA, the KNDF, the PLA, the MDY-PDF,and the NUG/PDFs, the MNDAA launched Operation-1027 in northern Shan State and waged battles to capture military camps of the Tatmadaw and towns.

And then, as the second wave of Operation-1027 on 25th June, 2024, battles were waged in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region. 

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

During that operation, the MNDAA seized control of the Northeast Command of the Tatmadaw, over 100 military camps, Lashio, Kutkai, Theinni, Chin Shwe Haw, Monko, Laukkai, Kon Kyan and Phaungsia Townships.

And then, at the mediation of China, the two sides discussed five times after which the ceasefire was conducted. 

However, because the MNDAA, the TNLA and the AA expanded military, the ceasefire was broken and battles resumed between the two sides.

Because the Myanmar Tatmadaw didn't attend the sixth Haigen discussion that was planned to be held in July, 2024, it has not been able to be held up to now. After that, the SAC announced the MNDAA, the TNLA and the AA as terrorist organizations.

CNI News

20 September 2024

Solving Myanmar's political problem in a peaceful way is the best, Col. Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News.

As one organization, to get rid of the rival one completely has been no more; neighboring countries are urging the organizations in Myanmar to solve the conflict in a peaceful manner, he said.

" While they are roused up, they have no mind to solve the conflict in a peaceful way. But an answer will emerge before this year or early next year. There aren't many countries which were able to solve the conflict by weapon in the world. Later, armed policy has been out of date. Especially, getting rid of the rival organization completely has been no more these days. Our neighboring countries such as India, China and Thailand have no intervention, but they have urged the organizations in Myanmar to negotiate or to hold peace talks as well as reduce or stop the conflict, which is obviously the best answer for the whole country and neighboring countries. So, all the stakeholders will reach on the dialogue path after all. I have armed for 54 years. If the dialogue path is open, we can change the system." said Col. Khun Okkar to CNI News.

While seeing the leaders from the Tatmadaw, armed groups and the government

The system of a country can be changed by the means of dialogue without by the means of being armed. All the methods must be tried, he said.

Because of the political change that started on 1st February, 2021, armed conflicts broke out widely throughout the country. 

Organizations involved in the conflict are giving priority to get rid of the rival organizations completely which is being reviewed by the political circles.

She believed that the way to win the peace would be won if it was really searched for; armed way could not succeed in the long run, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News.

While seeing leaders of the political parties

" The peace can be won if the way to win the peace is really searched for, I believe. I am from an armed revolutionary organization. We are still armed. But trying to make a decision is not an answer, I think. Being armed might be successful in the short term, but not in the long run. The current situation of Myanmar is like that of Gaza. There is a reason Myanmar will be like Gaza in future. We need to take longer if we meet with political parties so that we can think about it more seriously, I think." she said.

The peace delegation of the SAC, some NCA signatories and some political parties are meeting and discussing the peace process. 

On the other hand, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Spring Revolution forces in many parts of the country.

CNI News

20 September 2024

All the rice shops including small ones all over the country must register for the permit to store, an official from the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association told CNI News.

Bigger rice shops have been asked to register for storage since November, 2023 and those who store 50 tons of rice and above or 5,000 baskets of paddy and above must register, released by the government in June 2024.

But now, even small rice shops must register for storage permit and it had not been clear whether small rice shops would be exempted from registration fee or not, said an official from the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association, told CNI News.

" In the past, those who stored 1,000 bags of rice and above were instructed to register. But now, as authorities want to know all the storage lists of the people who sell rice, all the rice shops are asked to register. The Ministry of Commerce has formed an organization that will verify. I heard that those who store 200 to 300 bags of rice will be exempted from the registration fee. First, those who store 1,000 bags of rice and 5,000 baskets of paddy must pay the registration fee." he said.

While seeing a rice brokers' sales center

The ministry instructed rice shops to register the storage to ensure rice security within the country, to make the rice market and the price stable, to register the rice storage systematically and to implement a financial supporting system based on handing over goods to the storehouse, said the Ministry of Commerce.

At present, because of Typhoon Yagi, over 600,000 cultivated acres were damaged. So, because the paddy yield might decline by the million baskets of paddy, the ministry might have asked the rice shops to register the rice storage to know the amount of rice consumption and it wanted to control the price speculations, Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor told CNI News.

" They might want to know the data regarding the reserve rice. When the country face a natural disaster like this, the demand tends to rise and the prices of rice tend to rise as well, which they seem to prevent. Although rice merchants only were asked to register in the past, now they seem to control the market. And they might be a little in need of reserve rice. They might want to weigh the necessary amount of rice for the future and the current amount." he said.

The number of storehouses registered up to 23rd June, 2024 of companies were 213 as well as 513, of individual entrepreneurs. So, 726 storehouses have been registered, according to the ministry.

CNI News

19 September 2024

The Indian government would provide aids such as clothes, dried foods and medicines to the flood victims in Myanmar where there damages due to Typhoon Yagi, released the Indian Embassy to Myanmar. 

As India showed unity with flood victims, it is sending its aids to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.

And then, the Indian government sent 10 tons of aids for reconstruction including dried foods, clothes and medicine for Myanmar flood victims by ship INST Satpura of the Indian Navy, reported the embassy. 

In Myanmar, because of Typhoon Yagi, after it was continuously raining heavily, the water levels of rivers and creeks were so high that 56 townships from the Naypyidaw Council Territory, Magway, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady, Bago Regions, Kayah, Shan, Mon, and Karen States were flooded.

While seeing a flood was taking place in Myanmar

So, 2,116 houses were damaged and 158,373 houses were sunk. 

The government opened 438 rescue camps for flood victims and had to move 42,858 households and 163,780 people. Due to flood disaster, according to the figures collected until 4:00 pm 16th September, 226 Myanmar people were killed and 77 people were lost.

In the same way, 117 offices and departmental buildings, 1040 schools, 386 religious buildings, some roads and bridges, lamp posts and telecommunication towers were destroyed, reported the SAC. 

Moreover, 128,344 animals such as cattle, pig and goat were killed and 643,081 cultivated acres were sunk.

CNI News

19 September 2024

It is necessary for Myanmar's PE (Passport for Education) holders in Thailand who are attending short-term courses with Non-ED visa to have other documents to have other documents, Myanmar people in Thailand told CNI News. 

The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok stated that it would not provide service to the Myanmar people who were attending short-term courses with Non-ED visa for the renewal of PE starting from 16th September.

Refusal to renew the passport means to ask those with the passport expired to go home; so the Myanmar people whose passports still were valid should do to have other documents that are issued by the Thai authorities, U Aung Kyaw, from the Labor Right Foundation (LBR) told CNI News.

" The reason why the PE is not extended is the Myanmar government want the PE holders to come back to Myanmar. If the embassy doesn't extend the PE, all the PE holders will be illegal. And then they all will find difficulties. The Thai Ministry of Labor promised that residence and work permits would be issued to all undocumented people under the Thai government led by former Thai PM Srettha. But it didn't go ahead because Thai politics changed recently. A new PM came to power. If the subject regarding migrant workers was discussed at the Cabinet meeting, a certain document would be issued to them, which migrant workers are hoping." he said.

Myanmar migrants who are waiting in front of the Myanmar Embassy

In the past, renewal of PE was conducted within one day in the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok and the Myanmar Consulate in Chianmai. 

But  because there has been a sharp increase in the number of Myanmar students who are attending courses in a virtual format after getting Non-ED visa, the embassy will not provide service to extend the PE, said in the statement released by the embassy.

Refusal to renew the PE passport may be because some of the PE holders might be those who go against the SAC, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) told CNI News.

" They must choose one or another. If those who are OK to go home, go home. Otherwise, as illegal residents, work in a job regarding the university. Otherwise, when they have to apply as recruits, will they do? The military government will tighten step by step. If you haven't made any preparations, you will get into trouble." he said.

There are many Myanmar citizens holding PE, who are staying in Thailand with Non-ED visa reportedly.

Although those who are attending short term courses are refused to renew their PE, students who are long-term courses and studying in primary and secondary education are regularly allowed to renew.

CNI News

19 September 2024

Questions are emerging in relation to how NCA signatory EAOs are helping flood-hit people. 

The 7 NCA signatory EAOs are supporting rice to flood victims and collaborating with other organizations, Patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

"We are helping flood victims on a small scale. We distribute rice to flood victims depending on getting it. We are helping flood victims in territories within reach together with donors. And we are collaborating with the Pa-O National Organization (PNO/PNA) in the Special Region-6 that contains six townships in helping flood victims." he said.

Typhoon Yagi which entered Vietnam on 7th September was blowing at a rate of 130 miles per hour and the typhoon pushed rain clouds over Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar after which it was raining, breaking record, said Vice Chairman of the SAC.

While houses were being sunk during the flood

Except for Kachin, Rakhine States and Tanintharyi Region, all the rest states and regions were flooded, and according to the figures collected up to 16th September, 200,000 people were flood victims. 

226 people were killed and 77 people were lost, reported the SAC.

Their troops were carrying out rescue tasks for flood victims and town cleaning tasks, Captain Saw Zaw Min from the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) told CNI News.

" We were carrying out rescue tasks for flood victims when flood took place on 12th, 13th and 14th September Moreover, we conducted reconstruction tasks for three days continually such as removing mud and cleaning ruins. Any one wasn't killed, but properties were all damaged. But it's not as much damages as other states and regions." he said.

While the DKBA and departmental staff are jointly cleaning damages left due to flood

7 EAO Alliance is made up of the PNLO, the DKBA, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), the KNU/KNLA-Peace Council.

In Myanmar, because of Typhoon Yagi, it was continuously raining heavily and the water levels of rivers and creeks were so high that 56 townships from Naypyidaw Council Territory, Magway, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady, Bago Regions, Kayah, Shan, Mon and Karen States were flooded. 

So, 2,116 houses were damaged and 158,373 houses were sunk. The government opened 438 rescue camps and had to move 42,858 households and 163,780 people.

According to the figures collected until 4:00 pm on 16th September, 226 people were killed and 77 people were lost. Moreover, 117 offices and departmental buildings, 1040 schools, 386 religious buildings, some roads and bridges, lamp posts and telecommunication towers were destroyed, reported the SAC.

Moreover, 128,344 animals were dead and 643,081 cultivated acres were sunk.

CNI News

18 September 2024

Vice chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win said to make flood victims get the donations and consumer goods justly and fairly. 

He said the above at meeting (2/2024) of the national management committee on natural disasters on 16th September, 2024.

It would be necessary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation to release the notifications so as not to make the people worry. 

Moreover, management organizations from Regions and States must carry out to make flood victims get purified drinking water and healthy diets, he added.

And then, responsible organizations needed to collaborate to make government offices and schools open as soon as possible in the flood-hit area, he said.

While seeing a flood-hit situation

"Donations and materials that were donated by well-wisher people must be systematically managed to make flood victims get justly and fairly. The State is sending five basic foods that are healthy and drinking water to temporary rescue camps for natural disaster victims including some temporary rescue camps where donors couldn't reach." said Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win.

South Korea would support 13 billion dollars for Myanmar flood victims, stated the South Korea Embassy to Myanmar on 16th September. 

The Kanbawza Bank would donate 10 billion kyats for the flood victims, it stated on 16th September. In the same way, the Ayeyarwady Bank would donate 10 billion kyats as well. Moreover, artists, philanthropists and the rich are also donating to the flood victims.

While seeing the statement on flood-hit situation released by the SAC

In Myanmar, because of Typhoon Yagi, it was continuously raining heavily and the water levels of rivers and creeks were so high that 56 townships from Naypyidaw Council Territory, Magway, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady, Bago Regions, Kayah, Shan, Mon and Karen States were flooded. So, 2,116 houses were damaged and 158,373 houses were sunk. 

The government opened 438 rescue camps and had to move 42,858 households and 163,780 people.

According to the figures collected until 4:00 pm on 16th September, 226 people were killed and 77 people were lost. Moreover, 117 offices and departmental buildings, 1040 schools, 386 religious buildings, some roads and bridges, lamp posts and telecommunication towers were destroyed, reported the SAC.

Moreover, 128,344 animals were dead and 643,081 cultivated acres were sunk.

CNI News

18 September 2024

Floods took place throughout the country due to Typhoon Yagi and 226 people were killed and 643,081 cultivated acres were sunk, reported the State Administration Council (SAC). 

Due to the typhoon, it was continuously raining after which water levels of rivers and creeks were so high that 56 townships from the Naypyidaw Council Territory, Magway, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady, Bago Regions, Kayah, Shan and Karen States were flooded.

So, 2,116 houses were damaged and 156, 373 houses were sunk. The government opened 438 rescue camps and 42, 858 households and 163,780 people were moved.

According to the figure collected until 4:00 pm on 16th September, 226 people were killed and 77 people were lost. In the same way, 117 offices and department buildings, 1,040 schools, 386 religious buildings, some roads and bridges, lamp posts and telecommunication towers were damaged, reported the SAC.

Moreover, 128, 344 animals such as cow, goat and pig were killed as well as 643, 081 cultivated acres were sunk.