CNI News

7 January 2025

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) reportedly built school buildings for IDP children who fled battles taking place in upper Sagaing Region in order that they could go on learning

There have been over 1,0,000 IDPs who entered Homalin Township where has been controlled by the SNA due to the battles that took place in Tamu Township, Thanant region and Homalin Township. 

The SNA built school buildings for over 200 IDP children among the IDPs, said locals.

The SNA is an EAO that is trying to get Shanni State, gathering Kalay, Tamu, Homalin, Katha, Mawlike, Banmauk, Phaung Byin, Kawlin, Wuntho and Pinlebu in Sagaing Region as well as Bahmo, Myitkyina, Mohnyin, Mogaung and Indawgyi regions in Kachin State.

The SNA is being active in Tamu, Phaung Byin, Khamti, Homalin, Pinlebu, Katha, Banmauk and along the India-Myanmar border areas in Sagaing Region as well as Hpakant, Karmine, Mohnyin, Mogaung and along the railway in Kachin State.

The SNA was carrying out regional stability in these regions and security for the people's lives and properties and protecting the attacks of the KIA-ODF joint forces, said locals.

CNI News
5 January 2025

Power would be handed over to the government that emerges from the general election, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC).

He vowed in his message sent to the celebration of 77th Independence Day that fell on 4th January.

" The ultimate goal of the SAC is to successfully hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election; the SAC will carry out to hold an orderly, fair and dignified general election and continue to work towards handing over state responsibilities to the government that emerges from the election, which I want to promise." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The chairman has said that the election would be held in 2025 in phrases. At present, battles are severely taking place between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups and the number of IDPs has been over three million.

Moreover, nearly a hundred thousand houses and buildings were damaged and burned.

It might be difficult to fully hold the election because battles are being waged in Ayeyarwady, Bago and Mandalay Regions although it was possible in Naypyidaw Council Territory, Yangon and Ayeyarwady and Bago Regions, pointed out military and political analysts.

Because the Myanmar Tatmadaw was born from the people, it would protect the country all out, said chairman of the SAC on Independence Day.

CNI News
5 January 2025

Khun Tun Oo and Sai Nyunt Lwin, former chairman and incumbent chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy as well as Naing Chay Mon, a Mon ethnic were awarded honorary medals for performance, Excellent Performance in Social Field (first class), released the State Administration Council (SAC) on 4th January 2025.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC awarded those who took part in the discussion held at the National Assembly so as to be able to lay down detailed principles to draft the 2008 Constitution on the 77th Independence Day that falls on 4th January.

There were 249 people who were awarded Excellent Performance in Social Field (first class).

Among them were Khun Tun Oo and Sai Nyunt Lwin, Shan ethnic leaders as well as Naing Chay Mon, a Mon ethnic leader. Moreover,U Chan Tun, U Tun Yi, Naing Tala Mon and Naing Ayka were included as well.

CNI News

4 January 2025

Because the bank concerned was responsible for the security system regarding the mobile phone digital money fraud, the bank must solve the fraud problems, banking experts and businessmen told CNI News. 

The frauds were not because of users and data of the users could be hacked by the bank only, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

" There are three points. There are passwords in the data transition. Two are related to customers and one is related to the bank. According to Information Technology,  if you hack the information about the customer, you can't reach the information about the bank. But if you hack the information regarding the bank, you'll know the passwords and information about the customers. In any case, the bank is responsible for the security system in mobile banking. Management Information Systems (MIS) must be applied carefully for security. But we can't find any accountability when the problem takes place. In my opinion, bank staff must be inspected. Mainly, the bank is responsible for the security system." he said.

While seeing a shop providing digital money service

The users of the KBZ Pay, digital mobile money of the Kanbawza Bank, were embezzled after being said by phone that the KBZ Pay would be upgraded in the past. But now money is being widely stolen by using technology. 

The Central Bank announced on December 31 that it is identifying individuals and organizations that commit digital financial fraud through mobile phones and will take effective action.

Frauds were not because of users and fraud cases through one time passwords, passwords and security data reportedly are being investigated. 

The people were using digital mobile money because they didn't trust banks and because the bank was not responsible and accountable in the fraud cases, the credibility of the bank declined more, U Aung Pyae Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

While seeing the statement released by the KBZ Pay

" The bank or the mobile operator must find an answer as to why it happened. They must have responsibility and accountability. Otherwise, the people are not to use it. The money that was deposited in a way that was thought to be safe and easy to use has disappeared, and there are questions about who will take responsibility and take action. Officials concerned will have to take responsibility." he said.

When the KBZ Pay investigated fraud cases, they were related to the device change such as change of handsets and 31 cases were identified, reported the KBZ Pay on 3rd January 2025.

Now the device change has been suspended by operators and the system maintenance is being conducted. 

On 7th January 2025, the device change can be started again.

While investigating, the KBZ Pay has started advance replacement payments since 31st December so as to prevent financial loss for 31 users.

CNI News

4 January 2025

Military and political analysts are discussing and considering how military and political situations will be like in 2025. 

There might be military activities in some places while there might be discussions in other places in 2025, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" In 2025, there might be military activities while there might be discussions in other places. But the people are bored of the war. They can't stand it, I think. So, Stakeholders can focus a little on the discussion side. Something stable can be won from the discussion. In some ways, elections may emerge through stability. As neighboring countries and other countries have urged to make peace, there might be discussions and military activities half by half. Largely, the places where battles broke out could be a bit stable," he said.

While seeing leaders of the MNDAA and Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo of the Myanmar Tatmadaw

At China's brokered engagement, the MNDAA and the SAC met and discussed in Kunming, China on 15th and 16th December 2024 and ended without any agreement. 

The AA reported on 29th December that it would discuss and solve the domestic problem through political means. 

But if the discussion between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA happened to take place, it couldn't succeed and military tensions could resume, considered military and political analysts.

The Yaw Army (YA) would speed up its military operations in cooperation with its allies for the liberation of the Yaw region, announced the YA on 24th December 2024. 

Moreover, the Student Armed Force (SAF) announced on 1st January 2025 that penetrating the middle part of Myanmar was its military goal in 2025.

The SAC had invited armed groups to meet and discuss peace. 

While seeing the AA

Although some ethnic leaders were saying that they wanted federalism and ethnic rights, in practice they were trying to disintegrate the Union, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Political dialogues should be held in 2025 to reduce military tensions, chairman of the Arakan National Network, U Tin Htoo Aung told CNI News.

" We don't want military activities to become more tense in 2025. So, we want stakeholders to find an answer through political dialogues. The AA has demanded recognition of state actors from non-state actors. While the AA has captured nearly the whole Rakhine State, the Myanmar Tatmadaw needs to carry out how to negotiate. How are managements being made in the towns captured by EAOs? Is the Myanmar Tatmadaw launching air strikes like this? If so, the country won't be peaceful. So, we want stakeholders to hold political dialogues as soon as possible. We want the SAC to release political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. And the economy of the country has reached the lowest level." he said.

Domestic armed conflicts are getting worse and there have been over three million IDPs in Myanmar. 

It was necessary to solve it politically, said the UNHCR on 31st December 2024.

CNI News

3 January 2025

The news that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi probably will be released on 4th January (the Independence Day) was coming out and regarding that, there are considerations and opinions among political and military analysts whether she will be released or not. 

If DASSK was released, opportunities for national reconciliation could come out, U Khun Sai, a person taking part in the peace process, told CNI News.

" I always pray for Daw Suu's speedy release. If she was released, pressures on the C in C could be reduced. Secondly, opportunities for national reconciliation could come out. Battles can be reduced to an extent. The public will feel relieved as well. So, if possible, we'll have to welcome her release." he said.

International community should put pressure on the SAC effectively for the release of all political prisoners including DASSK and U Win Myint, requested the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) on 1st January.

In September, the Pope called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and Aung San Suu Kyi has also been offered refuge in the Vatican.

As DASSK who had been detained was important to the national reconciliation, Singaporean FM demanded to release DASSK immediately at the end of the formal discussion held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

The chairman of the SAC was decisive regarding DASSK; if she was released, he was worried that the public would be more active. 

So, she didn't think he would release DASSK, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar-China affairs commentator, told CNI News.

" Some people say that (Sr-Gen) Min Aung Hlaing is too decisive. Rumor has it that DASSK will be released, which I think it's a new broadcast from the military council. It might relax the public anger. Because the Myanmar Tatmadaw is losing in a big way, there is also discontent within the Tatmadaw. I think it's news that relieves some of the pressure. I don't think she will be released because DASSK might not say what the military council likes. And the military council might be worried that the public will be more active if DASSK is released." she said.

DASSK has been detained since 1st February 2021 and she has been sentenced to 33 years in prison on 19 counts. 

She was given a six-year pardon on 1st August. 

Sh De is currently serving a total of 27 years in prison for the remaining 14 counts. 

DASSK will be 80 years old in June.

CNI News

3 January 2025

Even if talks between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw took place, it was unlikely to succeed, said military and political analysts. 

The AA announced that it would discuss and solve the domestic problem through the political means on 29th December 2024.

Political talks were held at China's request and as they were practically related to the interests of war, the talks could not succeed, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, told CNI News.

" EAOs are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw mainly because they want their region to free from the military council. When they succeed to a large extent, they have to hold peace talks that China has put pressure on them to do so. But because political talks are practically related to the interests of war, any political talk was not successful. But when China that wants to make room for the military council told EAOs to hold peace talks, they discussed. In practice, any result did not come. The MNDAA discussed with the military council. But the discussion was broken. The discussion between the AA and the military council that will be held will be broken as well." he said.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

Political dialogues were invited and welcome; attitudes and comments gained from discussions with EAOs and political parties would be recorded in order to be able to approve in the Hluttaw that would be formed in future, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC in his message speech to the Karen National New Year's Day that fell on 30th December 2024.

Because the AA's demands might be high in the discussion, military tensions could resume, U Thein Tun Oo, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, told CNI News.

" Both sides no longer have the desire to take up arms. When they are at the roundtable, they will reduce the armed conflict step by step. And then, if it's convenient, they will be on the peace path. Otherwise, if they chose the armed means, when either side was totally defeated, it could be peaceful. In the current situation, the AA that has deemed that it has won the war will demand things higher. If they didn't gain what they want, military activities might emerge. During a long discussion, it will take a rest, re-gather sources and re-group. And then, military tensions will resume." he said.

While seeing a comrade of the AA 

Although the AA had no desire to secede from the Union, it wanted the level that was not lower than the confederation, said U Khine Thukha, spokesperson of the AA at the press conference held on 4th March 2024.

Although some EAO leaders were saying that they wanted federalism and ethnic rights, in practice they were trying to disintegrate the Union, said chairman of the SAC in his New Year Speech on 1st January 2025.

Among 11 Chinese Projects in Rakhine State, the AA has controlled 11 projects, reported the ISP-Myanmar on 28th December 2024.

CNI News

3 January 2025

Although some EAO leaders said that they wanted federalism and the ethnic rights, they were trying to disintegrate the country, ignoring the nature of democracy, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above in his New Year's greetings to the country on 1st January, 2025.

Although armed group leaders were saying that they wanted democracy under various titles, in reality, they were only creating armed conflict based on selfish desires, said chairman of the SAC.

" Some ethnic leaders are saying that they want federalism and ethnic rights, they are trying to disintegrate the country, ignoring the nature of democracy. They'd better carry out what is possible in a democratic manner, weighing what they want to be and what should be, hoping for the benefit of the Union. Because the common goals and paths are different, armed conflicts have not yet been resolved." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

To resolve these issues, stakeholders needed to be strong-minded and walk the path of democracy. 

The people also needed to push the armed groups to return to the path of democracy, he added.

Battles have been breaking out severely between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups across the country since on the first of February, 2021. 

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

The Arakan Army (AA) that has controlled several townships is proclaiming to gain the confederation or independence that goes beyond federalism.

In the same way, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) that has seized control of seven townships in northern Shan State and is supporting arms and ammunition to armed groups in other Regions and States is carrying to collapse the central government, which military and political analysts point out.

The National Unity Government (NUG), the NUCC, the CRPH and the PDFs which are the elements of the Spring Revolution are waging battles to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

CNI News
29 December 2024

Although Suzuki Ertiga cars that are being remanufactured, using the Semi Knocked Down (SKD) system, are being sold, because the selling price of the car, it can't impact on the car market, according to the people in the car market.

Because the original price was around 1,000 lakh, the car market was being watched; at present, the car was being sold and bought at 1,500 lakh to 2,000 lakh.

So, the prices of used cars were less likely to fall, secretary general of the Myanmar Automobile Manufacturers and Distributors Association, U Kyaw Swar Tun told CNI News.

" At present, a new Ertiga car whose price was announced 1050 lakh kyats before is being sold and bought. Supply and demand are in balance. So, the prices of used cars are less likely to fall. If the price of the new car is sold and bought at a little over 1,000 lakh kyats in practice, other cars are very likely to fall. Because the car is sold at 1,500 lakh kyats, I don't think the prices of other cars will fall a lot." he said.

In the current car market, a Suzuki Ertiga is being sold and bought at above 1,000 lakh kyats. In the domestic car market, transactions are only made by agreement between the seller and the buyer and Japanese cars including SUZUKI cars and Chinese cars are also popular.

" At present, the car that is announced that it will be sold at 1,050 lakh kyats today may be its price will be 1,032 lakh kyats. According to the agreement between the sellers and the buyers, cars are being sold and bought between 1,500 lakh kyats and 2,000 lakh kyats." said a car market commentator.
About 100 SUZUKI Ertiga cars which are produced with the SKD system will soon enter the market and a lot of the cars could enter the market in early 2025, estimated car market analysts.

The prices of cars in the domestic market will not fall unless the car import policy is changed, according to car market sources.