CNI News

27 November 2024

Over 20 delegates from 11 political parties, six EAOs, the Center for Peace and Reconciliation, and chairman and secretary of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) went on a trip to India to study the constitution and federalism.

The excursion was something helpful to build Myanmar, said those who were included in the trip. CNN News contacted and interviewed Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), an NCA signatory about the excursion.

CNI News                     ။          ။ Which parts (of the constitution and federalism) did you study in your excursion to India?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin ။          ။ Mainly, I studied the roles of President and Vice President and governors as well as how states have been organized. Next, I studied the Finance Commission. Besides, we studied administrative systems for village and ward. Moreover, we studied the rights of minorities.

CNI News                     ။           ။ Well then, which points should be taken out from India for the federalism that will be built in Myanmar?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin ။           ။ We should emulate how India was established. Mizoran State tried to secede and so did Nagaland. But they don't try to secede now. According to the constitution of India, any states or territories are not allowed to secede. It's the most important how they tried to become a federal union. They are over 200 races in India where 22 languages are imposed as office languages including English.

CNI News                    ။             ။ What is the India's administrative system? How is the division of power used?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin ။            ။ The authority of the President has been separately mentioned. Governors have control on the chief ministers' administrations. Controlling systems are enacted in the India's constitution. 

It's necessary to think about carefully whether the position of governor should be used in Myanmar. The administration even in village and ward is very democratic. If there are authorities concerned, will it be necessary to secede? Because authorities are wanted, are battles being waged, aren't they?

In India, a very large country, the population is over 1,000 million people and there are many religions. The qualification that can rule this big country without making secession take place is very impressive.

But there was a problem in India when it gained her independence. There were arguments between Hindustanis and Muslims. Hindustanis considered it was not suitable to live with Muslims while the Muslims who wanted to build Pakistan considered to secede. There were different opinions and unrests between the two sides. In the end, Pakistan was allowed to secede. 

Pakistan was divided into East Pakistan and West Pakistan. In a situation that could not be controlled while there were different ideologies and religions, because of many conflicts, Pakistan was allowed to secede, which we had to learn.

CNI News                    ။           ။ What do you understand India thinks of the current situation of Myanmar?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin ။          ။ India has designated Myanmar as a good neighboring country. It seems that India wants to see Myanmar without disintegration in a federal union like India.

CNI News                     ။           ။ What's the impact of the trip to India on Myanmar?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin ။          ။ The main thing is to amend the constitution. Successive heads of State who ruled Myanmar should have thought that Myanmar is sandwiched by the most populous countries, India and China and the two big countries can have built their countries without being seceded and making conflicts take place. 

The current ruling leaders of the country seem to accept that we should study the constitution of India without fail. So, we were sent to India, I think.

When I know the administrative system of India, India has been built with patience and tolerance. In fact, there were many Maharajas in India. They wanted to rule their country as kings.

Discussions had to be held to make Maharajas live together in the same country, which could make federalism and then India emerged as a federal union. They said they emulated King Asoka.

CNI News                       ။            ။  As the last question, according to your experience that you studied the India's constitution and federalism, which systems should be emulated from India if a federal union is built in Myanmar?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin  ။             ။ The main thing is the mind that will reform the country. Going on waging battles is not appropriate. All the stakeholders including in battles need to reform their mindset.

Even though not every stakeholder can take part in the union, those who can take part in need to think it over how the constitution should be amended. Building a federal union is the best so that we can liberate from the battle circle, I think.

CNI News

26 November 2024

As armed conflicts are severely taking place in Myanmar, the State Administration Council could intend to transform in January, 2025 in order find a political answer, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

The SAC could transform in January 2025 and a transformed government could arise in 2026, he said.

" He must have found an answer how to find an answer militarily and how to find an exit politically. He has said a general election will be held in 2025. it's likely that the SAC could intend to transform on 31st January 2025. There is a prospect that a transformed government could arise in 2026. The SAC should initiate to start political dialogues. It must give an opportunity that can solve the Myanmar political problem after an all-inclusive dialogue." said Dr. Aye Maung.

Efforts must be made so as not to make vote list wrong in the coming election, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the meeting of the SAC on 19th November 2024. 

While the Union Election Commission was meeting with political parties

Moreover, members of the SAC must carry out by division of duty. Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine would be used in the coming election, he added. 

And then, depending on the security, the election would be held at one place after another, he said.

At present, census-taking could be conducted for over 63 percent of the national population, he had estimated that it could be fully conducted in the end of 2024, he said. 

However, unless it was peaceful, it would not be easy to conduct census-taking in the whole country, chairman of the Arakan National Network, U Tin Htoo Aung told CNI News.

While seeing the Union Election Commission

" It's necessary to be peaceful in order to be able to conduct census-taking in the whole country. It's necessary to solve the political problem by the political means. Because they are not pleased with the coup, because they are not on the right track to democracy, our citizens are fighting against one another. Battles are taking place. So, in my opinion, it's not easy to conduct census-taking in the whole country." he said.

Census-taking has being conducted since 1st October and if the vote list was made, a general election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

China would provide assistance to the election that would be held by the SAC and want the election that would contain all the stakeholders, said Chinese FM Wang Yi during his meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 14th August 2024.

CNI News

26 November 2024

Myanmar political tension must be reduced with an elected government while the local conflict is severely taking place, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News. 

Moreover, it was necessary to hold an all-inclusive political dialogue, he added.

" It's necessary to hold an all-inclusive political dialogue. The whole world must urge to make the dialogue emerge. Every country that has anything to do with Myanmar must urge that and so must the public. Hold political dialogues, greet one another, shaking hands and then find a political answer. We have the constitution. The State Administration Council must back up so that like a transformed government that emerged from the State Peace and Development Council emerged, it's necessary to remember an elected government led by U Thein Sein in 2010. So, it's necessary to hold a general election as soon as possible. We have to try to relax the Myanmar political tension with an elected government." he said.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties

The SAC was making preparations in order to be able to hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election in 2025, said chairman of the SAC Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The election was held again and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, adding that the SAC was continuously implementing to make the intention successful. 

Moreover, the SAC invited EAOs and PDFs to contact and carry out in order to be able to solve the political problem with the political means after abandoning their armed policy, reported the SAC on 26th September 2024.

The election was the first step in walking on the political path and an elected government was able to perform political resolutions, U Thein Tun Oo, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, told CNI News. 

While the Union Election Commission was meeting with political parties

" The election is the first step to walk on the political path for the stability of the country. Election comes with democracy. So, election must be passed through and then an elected government will emerge. That government will perform political resolutions." he said.

Rights wanted could not won by armed fighting and political means must be chosen; an elected government would emerge from the election and if armed groups attended to the political roundtable where the government invited armed groups politically, Their objectives and goals must be questioned, pointed out some political commentators.

China praised the invitations of the SAC to armed groups in order to solve politically and would help to make the election successful, said Chinese PM Li Chang during his meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in Kunming, China on 6th November.

CNI News

26 November 2024

The flow of goods to northern Shan State has been cut out, according to locals. 

The flow of goods to northern Shan State from southern Shan State has been banned since 12th November and buses and trucks have been banned indefinitely. 

Moreover, trucks carrying foodstuffs, rice and fuel oil have been forbidden to pass on 18th November, said locals. 

The flow of goods to northern Shan State often is banned, U Tin Maung Thein, a resident of Kyaukme, told CNI News.

"Because open or close takes place at any time, we can't expect anything in the long run. For the time being, any commodity which will enter northern Shan State is banned. If there are four people in the car, they are allowed to carry four bottles of drinking water and gasoline is not allowed as well" he said. 

Due to the ban, locals are suffering from higher prices.

While seeing trucks

Because of banning the flow of goods, the black market will emerge. 

Moreover, goods produced in northern Shan State could stop flowing to other regions and states. 

So,  it would be worrying for the people in northern Shan State, a person taking part in social assistance told CNI News.

"Now goods produced in northern Shan State such as corn and tea are going down to the lower regions through the jungle routes while any goods are not allowed to northern Shan State.  Corn and tea could be banned to be sent soon. There is no rule of law in our country. So, it's worrying for the people in northern Shan State in the long run." he said.

The flow of goods mainly to Momeik, Nawnghkio, Lashio and Mong Yel in northern Shan State has been cut out and selling fuel oil on quota has been suspended since 18th November.

CNI News

November 20, 2024

Indonesia becomes the country that imports the Myanmar rice most, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation. 

Although Myanmar rice was exported to Europe and China most before, Indonesia has become the most importer of Myanmar rice since 2022.

There has been in high demand for rice in Indonesia because it is highly populated and to hold elections. 

Although Indonesia bought broken rice from Myanmar in the past, it is buying Myanmar rice as well now, chairman of the MRF U Ye Min Aung told CNI News.

" We are always exporting rice to European countries an China as well as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Indonesia has bought Myanmar rice more since 2023. There are so many people living in Indonesia and elections will be held soon. So, its import of rice has increased. About four or five years ago, it imported few Myanmar rice. It bought only broken rice from Myanmar. Now it has been buying both rice and broken rice from Myanmar about four million tons within three years from 2022 to 2024. Indonesia import rice or broken rice from Thailand and Vietnam as well as India and Pakistan." he said.

Indonesia has imported over 360,000 tons of Myanmar rice in the 2024-2025 fiscal year during the first 7 months and overtook China that bought Myanmar rice most in the past. 

In the current fiscal year, China is second most buyer of Myanmar rice by importing 276,400 tons, and Belgium, third most by importing 219,400 tons and the Philippines has bought 147, 700 tons of Myanmar rice, according to the MRF.

Although China was the country that imported Myanmar rice most when the border trade gates were opened, at present China has closed down its border trade gates with Myanmar. 

So, Indonesia became the most importer of Myanmar rice, an official from the MRF told CNI News.

" When the border trade gates were opened, a lot of Myanmar rice were exported to China by road and by sea. China imported Myanmar rice most. But now border trade posts have been closed. As Indonesia is not far from Myanmar, Myanmar rice is exported there most." he said.

During the first seven months of the current fiscal year, Myanmar has exported 1.46 tons of rice and broken rice for 647 US dollars, according to the MRF. 

The MRF has intended to export 2.5 million tons of rice.

CNI News

November 21, 2024

Because global price of rice was falling, local price of rice also could fall, the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) told CNI News. 

The global price of rice, in comparison with last week, has declined by over one percent this week. 

There have been changes in the global price of rice since the last week of October 2024 while the changes in the price of rice has taken place in Myanmar as well.

So, when rainfed paddy appears abundantly, because new rice will come into the local market, the price of rice might go down, U Ye Min Aung, chairman of the MRF, told CNI News. 

" In December, rainfed paddy will have appeared abundantly. Now that paddy has appeared, new rice has started entering the market. So, the price of rice is stable. The rice is sufficient for the local consumption. As the global price of rice is declining, local price of rice also can go down fairly." he said.

While bags of rice are being carriedWhile bags of rice are being carried

Although local price of rice often went down, as the yield of rainfed paddy this year decreased due to irregular weather. 

If the price of rice decreased, the price of paddy would decrease. 

As a result, profit that farmers would earn could be lower. 

So, efforts should be made to make the price of rice reasonable, former chairman of the Farmers Development Association, U Thein Aung told CNI news.

" This year rainfed paddy appears in November and December. The yield this year might not be half of the last year. The paddy was sunk this year. When the paddy is ripe now, as the paddy is sunk,  it's necessary to consider to become a reasonable price. Otherwise, the profit farmers will earn will be fewer." he said.

At present, in the local market, the price of Pawsan rice from Pyapon, Myaungmya and Dedaye is from 115,000 to 125,000 per bag while the price of Shwebo Pawsan rice is from 140,000 to 150,000 kyats per bag.

The prices of Aemahta rice and Ngasein rice are from 3,000 to 5,000 kyats per pyi.

CNI News

20 November, 2024

Peace talks could surely emerge to find ways so as not to hurt the people in Rakhine State, military and political analysts told CNI News. 

Peace talks could surely emerge sometime and as long as battles were taking place, the people would be hurt, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News.

" According to the situation of battles, people think that the AA has upper hands in military. Depending on the people's comment and report by troops on the ground, the AA might discuss with (the Myanmar Tatmadaw) in the near future. In my opinion, the AA will surely arrive at the roundtable on day or another. When it can control the whole state, it will surely arrived at the political roundtable, I think. The longer battles break out, the more the people are hurt."

While seeing the entrance signboard to Sittwe

Battles have been breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA since 13th November 20223 and it would go on carrying out to make Rakhine State free from the Myanmar Tatmadaw, reported the AA on 13th November 2024. 

At present, the SAC has boozed the security in Kyauk Phyu where the Chinese Projects are located.

As the two organizations, if they appreciated the people's interests, peace talks could arise, U Myo Kyaw from the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) told CNI News.

When you see the battle avoiders

" If they don't want to affect the people and buildings in the state, in other words if they give priority to the interests of the people, the discussion might arise one day or another. The AA has announced that apart from the AA, other armed organizations must not exist in Rakhine State, but it hasn't been able to capture the whole state. Especially, it hasn't been able to capture Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State and Kyauk Phyu where Chinese investments are located. Without being able to capture these places, if negotiations and discussions are conducted, complications could arise in the future. How to tackle these things depends on the leaders of the AA." he said.

It was necessary to take into account of the country and the public and make attempts in a peaceful manner, considered political analysts. 

There are 17 townships in Rakhine State and of them, 10 townships have been captured by the AA. 

Among the remaining seven townships, Gwa, Maungdaw and Ann Townships are being attacked by the AA while the AA has blocked Kyauk Phyu, Taung Goat, Manaung and Sittwe.

CNI News

November 19, 2024

As armed conflicts have been taking place widely in Myanmar and the military framework is expanding, it is necessary to hold discussions to expand the political framework according to military and political analysts. 

It was necessary to hold political peace talks continuously and patiently to make the military framework narrow, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News.

" If the military conflict takes too long, more casualties will take place. There have been lots of casualties just now. So, we'll arrive at the roundtable one day or another. Military framework is wide while the political framework is narrow. We need to be patient to make the military framework narrow. We'll have to hold political talks continuously. And then, it's necessary to consider the results from the political talks. After that, participants at the roundtable need to attempt in order to reduce battles more than now, I think." she said.

While seeing the TNLA

Armed conflicts have been taking place in Myanmar since 1948. Although discussions were held again and again to end armed conflicts, they were void and battles resumed. 

Armed conflicts have broken out across the country as a result of political disagreements that started on 1st February 2021 and the number of IDPs has been over 6 millions, according to the ISP-Myanmar.

As the two organizations, only if they gave priority to the public, would the political framework be wider, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

" When the war breaks out between the two sides, the public is hurt. Politics has retreated. To make the politics come to the fore, all the stakeholders need to see the real landscape. It's necessary to take a historical lesson. The Myanmar Tatmadaw should take the lesson and so should the State Administration Council (SAC) that is currently leading the country. In the same way, only if all the armed revolutionary elements give priority to the Myanmar public, will politics be strong. Only if all the stakeholders negotiate and solve the problem politically, military tension will be reduced. Independence will be given to Myanmar for the second time." he said.

While seeing leaders from the government, the Tatmadaw and EAOs

Over 20 delegates from 11 political parties, six EAOs, the NSPNC and the CPR were invited to India and constitution and federalism were discussed there on 5th and 6th November. 

Thailand is to lead and hold an informal meeting on the issue of Myanmar among the members of the ASEAN in December 2024.

Currently, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and EAOs/PDFs in Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Tanintharyi Regions, Shan, Karen, Kayah, Chin, Kachin, Mon and Rakhine States.

CNI News

November 20, 2024

They were making attempts in order to be able to hold the election as able as they could and must implement a dignified election and Hluttaw said chairman of the State Administration Council. 

He said the above at the meeting of the SAC on 19th November 2024.

" The SAC will hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election and go on carrying out in order to hand over the State responsibilities to the winning party; they are making attempts as able as they can in order to be able to hold the election and they must implement to make a dignified Hluttaw arise." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The SAC mainly must carry out so as not to make mistakes in the vote list and members of the SAC must perform by division of labor to make the vote list correct; Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine would be used in the coming election, he added. And then, the election would be held step by step, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Chairman of the SAC separately met with PMs from Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, and explained and discussed the matters relating to the election when he went to China from 5th to 10th November.

The SAC would invite international analyst delegates to make the election transparent, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The election would be elected in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, he said.