CNI News

12 December 2024

Powerful groups had raised news media professionals as their stooges to manipulate developing countries and were trying to disintegrate the country by creating riots and uprisings, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above at the oath-taking ceremony of members of the Myanmar Press Council on 10th December 2024.

However, Sr.Gen did not specify which powerful countries or groups he was referring to. 

" Nowadays, powerful groups in politics and economy have raised new media professionals as their stooges to manipulate developing countries in transition to democracy which it's no secret. The poweful groups are asking their media professionals to broadcast or present in the forms they want, rejecting the public attitude, feelings and grievances. The worst is that the powerful groups are carrying to destabilize small developing countries, to escalate conflicts in these countries, to incite unrest, and to disintegrate the country in various forms." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While reporters are procuring pieces of news (Photo - Crd)

News media professionals, according to the human nature, have different preferences and personal biases, which he understood and accepted; however, in matters of state and public affairs, he wanted to urge news media professionals to describe or broadcast without putting their own interests and opinions first and without personal opinion, said chairman of the SAC.

" Our country are carrying out to establish a union based on democracy and federalism, practicing democratic political system correctly and systematically; in a democratic society, there must be freedom of press according to the law and it's essential to have good governance and development; it is necessary to meet these requirements in a balanced and fair manner." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The ruling class rarely views the news media as a partner and often views as opposition, which should be changed; the SAC needs to correct misunderstandings by responding to information in a timely manner; if the SAC is able to inform the public of the information and facts that the people should know through answering the questions by the news media, mutual trust between the SAC and the media community could be built, pointed out the media community.

CNI News

12 December 2024

Chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacekeeping Negotiation Committee, Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung and leader of the Kachin Special Region-1 U Zakhun Ting Ying reportedly met. 

They met at the house of U Zakhun Ting Ying and it is not yet known what topics were discussed.

U Zakhun Ting Ying was the leader of the Kachin Special Region-1 that contains Panwa, Kan Pite Tee, Chipwi, and Sawlaw in Kachin State. 

However, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked and captured the Kachin Special Region-1 between September and November and is operating its administrative mechanism.

After that, the KIA announced that it had abolished the Kachin Special Region-1.

CNI News

12 December 2024

The discussion between the Chinese government and the delegation of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) led by chairman of the KIA, General N'ban La was held because China wanted the KIA's help, U Kyi Myint, a political commentator, told CNI News.

The Chinese authorities and the delegation led by Gen. N'Ban La diseussed in China while the battles were severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA in Bahmo and Mansi Townships, Kachin State. 

The delegation led by Gen. N'Ban La contained Lt-Gen Gun Maw, general secretary U La Nan, In Charge of Administrative Department of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Maj-Gen Zaw Raw. The discussion was held not because the KIA wanted China's help but China wanted the KIA's help, said U Kyi Myint.

While seeing Lt-Gen Gun Maw and former Chinese Special Envoy, Sun - Sun Guoxiang 

"The full news has not yet been released. The two sides have been on the same level because the KIA delegation went to China, which the KIA won't ask China to help it, but China want the KIA's help. So, the discussion will be beneficial to the Kachin people, I believe. They will give and take to become nearly what the KIA wants. If Trump come to power, he will treat China in a manner that he will impose a sanction on China regarding rare earth. China is worried about that. But China might demand the KIA not to accept aid from western countries especially the United States or to stay away from these countries. But the KIA won't accede to this request." he said.

There is rare earth in the territory captured by the KIA and the KIA has captured Chipwi, Sawlaw, Panwa and Kan Pite Tee in the Kachin Special Region-1 where there are border trade gates. 

Moreover, the KIA has been launching offensive to Bahmo that is included in the China's project implementation plan since 4th December.

Because China has closed down its border gates with the KIA and vice versa, the border trade has stopped. 

China invited the KIA to discuss, which was likely  for the peace issue and the border gates, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

While seeing Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning

" EAOs that are active within the border areas of the two countries are important to the security of the two countries. When China considers peace or security issue is dangerous to it, it might call and discuss with EAOs concerned. When Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing went to China, the matter regarding the trade has been told. The two countries' border gates must be under the control of the two countries. This is also an issue that both countries have agreed upon. These things will be included in their discussion. In any case, China will help Myanmar in some way as able as it can in the peace issue or security or trade." he said.

At present, the KIA and joint forces have captured Mabein, Myohla, Lweje, Dodphunyan, Myothit, Sinbo, Ingyanyan, Sumprabon, Sadon, Chipwi, Sawlaw, Panwa and Kan Pite Tee in Kachin State and northern Shan State.

The matters regarding controlling bilateral border trade, respecting the sovereignty of both countries and increasing the Chinese projects within Myanmar  Chinese  discussed by Chinese PM Li Chang and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC on 6th November 2024.

China wanted Myanmar to be stable and peaceful and would continue to help the Myanmar peace process; it was necessary to provide security to the Chinese projects and companies within Myanmar, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning at the regular press conference 10th December 2024.

CNI News

11 December 2024

If Myanmar gold could be sold in the global market with meeting standards, the value of Myanmar kyat would rise, businessmen told CNI News. 

Although efforts were made to be able to sell Myanmar gold in the global market through the ages, it has not succeeded up to now for many reasons. 

At present, the Yangon Gold Entrepreneurs Association opened a gold laboratory and is carrying out to win an ISO certificate in order that Myanmar gold can be sold again in the global market, according to gold entrepreneurs.

If the gold produced within the country could be sold to the international market, the value of Myanmar kyat would rise, U Aung Pyae Sone, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing a Myanmar gold bar

" Efforts have been made to sell Myanmar gold in other countries for long. But again, efforts is being made to sell it which I recognize. If the gold produced within Myanmar can be traded in foreign countries, local price will rise if the world price rises. But we have experienced inconveniences since under the previous government. If we can reform things that could cause unsuccessfulness and sell Myanmar gold, the value of Myanmar kyat will rise as well." he said.

Myanmar gold is being sold just a little to Japan as jewelries and the YGEA was trying to sell high quality Myanmar gold bars at the stock exchanges in the US, England and Australia, chairman of the YGEA, U Myo Myint told CNI News.

While seeing gold and dollars( Photo-Mawgun)

"The YGEA is trying to make Myanmar gold become world class gold. Standard scales are being made. A standard laboratory is being built as well. Jade and sapphires are framed in gold and they are being exported abroad. Mainly, kilogram plates of pure gold must be exported. If we can export them, national income will increase. The value of Myanmar gold will rise. If we can sell Myanmar gold at the international market, it can be exported to the markets of England, the US, Japan and Australia or trade at the world stock exchanges." he said.

At present, 14 stock exchanges and transportation companies have been linked in order that Myanmar gold can be exported to the international market and Thailand, Singapore, China, the US, India and European countries are interested in it.

CNI News

11 December 2024

People in the Naga region were interested in the election that would be held in 2025, chairman of the Naga National Party, U Shu Maung told CNI News. 

As a general election would be held for sure in 2025, representatives from 53 political parties that have been registered and the Union Election Commission met and discussed the matters regarding the election in the UEC office on 7th December 2024. 

Naga nationalities were hoping the coming election could bring a better situation, said U Shu Maung to CNI News.

" Because battles are breaking out across the country, politics have been kind of dead. When the people in Naga region happen to know that the election will be held, they are interested in the election in the hope that the situation could be better because they are always unhappy under the current situation." he said.

Naga mountainous region is a poor one and there are not enough school teachers there. 

Moreover, the people in the region are facing higher commodity prices, having to pay the tax to armed groups and slow flow of goods.

While seeing a Naga region (Lars Krutak)

It takes at least six months to make a product from the mainland arrive in the Naga region and so people in the region have to depend on India for their existence.

At present, India has opened its border gates which was welcome by the Naga region and it could be beneficial in the long run; but free flow of goods and security must be beware of; although there were no battles in the Naga region, the people were worried that battles would break out, said U Shu Maung.

" There have been no battles in the Naga region for the time being. But the people are worried that battles will break out sometime in the future. But we can say that the region is normal just now." he said.

The government that would arise from the election could continue to carry out the matters regarding the insecurity of the people, livelihood, commodity price, education, health and job opportunity, said political parties.

A general election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said chairman of the SAC.

CNI News

11 December 2024

The money and assets of those who have become rich from their corruption would be confiscated, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlain, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above at the commemoration ceremony for International Anti-Corruption Day on 9th December 2024.

Corruption is a misdeed that damages societies and disrupts the social and economic well-being; moreover, it also erodes justice and harms not only the state and its people; also it can affect the development goals and destabilize the rule of law and peace, said chairman of the SAC.

Corruption was a bad disease that was spreading not only in Myanmar but also in the whole world. 

And it was a problem that had taken root not only in governments of developing and developed countries but also private sector and charity associations, he added.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the at the commemoration ceremony for International Anti-Corruption Day

" Normally, corruption is considered as bribery, but in fact, it's a bad deed that is deep and widespread; extortion, lying, abusing public property and money, and abusing power for self-interest are also corruptions." he said.

Because of corruption, committing crimes and supporting terrorism could emerge; moreover, as it could affect rule of law and democratic system, it could be called a global problem, he said.

" According to the anti-corruption law, the property and money of a person who has been rich from its corruption can be confiscated. So, officials concerned can take action effectively in accordance with the law." he said.

Because the public hated the corruption so much that if the authorities tackled the corruption effectively in accordance with the law, listening to the voice of the people, the people would be ready to cooperate with them, pointed out political analysts.

CNI News

10 December 2024

Foreign investment in Myanmar has fallen by more than half in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, according to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA). 

Foreign investment of 587.24 million dollars entered Myanmar until November of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, but just 235.7 million dollars in the 2024-2025 budget year. 

The reason why the foreign investment had fallen like that was because many border trade posts had been closed and the trading by sea only is used for import and export, U Aung Pyae Sone, an economic analyst, told CNI News.

While seeing the office of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration

"Foreign investments enter depending on regions. And when we trade, there are foreign investments and logistics industries along the trade route. When the logistics industry going through border trade almost has stopped, foreign investments usually decline. Moreover, in the import and export sector, as we depend on trading by sea only, there are difficulties because we can't carry out as quickly as the border trade. So, foreign investments have declined." he said.

The investments of China and Singapore, the most in Myanmar were over 553 million dollars last year but this year just about 140 million dollars. 

Foreign investments that entered special economic zones during the first eight months of this year were just over 36 million dollars and only three foreign investments entered, according to the DICA.

While seeing somewhere in the city center of Yangon

However, foreign investments have increased in the garment industry, electric car and fuel oil sectors, said U Aung Pyae Sone.

“Foreign investment has increased in the garment industry. New factories have arisen as well. And some CMP industries are looking up. Some companies relating to electric cars have been allowed to invest a lot by the Myanmar Investment Commission. Next, some foreign investments have been allowed to invest in fuel oil import." he said.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC, has told businessmen about the lack of foreign investments and urged them to invest in the agricultural and livestock industries.

CNI News

10 December 2025

A general election surely would be held in 2025, chairman of the People's Party U Ko Ko Gyi told CNI News. 

The Union Election Commission (UEC) and 53 political parties  that have been registered met in the UEC office on 7th December and discussed the matters regarding the election. 

The election surely would be held; the election was important to the State and social lives of the people, chairman of the PP U Ko Ko Gyi told CNI News.

" In the past, the winner-take-all system was used. Now there are discussions and negotiations to change from the first-past-the-post voting (FPTP) to the Proportional representation voting (PR). The hybrid system probably will be used. The FPDP will be used in some places and the PR, in other places. But we can know exactly about it only when the detailed laws and bylaws come out. But we can firmly say that the election will be held in 2025. After the election, within the five year tenure, it's very important to carry out the matters regarding the rotational chairman of the ASEAN and the representative of Myanmar at the UN for the dignity of the State. On the other hand, the government that will come to power from the election will continue to carry out the matters relating to insecurity of the people, livelihood, commodity price, education, healthcare and job opportunity." he said.

The study groups from abroad would be invited to the election that would be held in 2025, said U Ko Ko, the chairman of the UEC.

The UEC would make an effort to make a fair election and a respectable Hluttaw emerge and political parties should train their candidates to become qualified members of the Hluttaw, said U Ko Ko, chairman of the UEC.

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

The election was needed for everyone and the international community also should welcome it, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

" Among the SAC's road maps, the election is mainly important. According to the law for the state of emergency, the State power has been handed over to the C in C temporarily. He must create the situation that can hold the election. The election is needed for everyone and for the SAC, the public, and political parties. International community should welcome it as well." he said.

Officials concerned must mainly carry out so as to make vote list correct and the Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine would be used, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC on 19th November 2024. A general election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, he said.

A free and fair general election would be held and international analysts would be invited to the election, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing during his meeting with Chinese PM Li Chang on 6th November 2024.

The Chinese government has said that it would help Myanmar in order that the election could be held successfully while Russia would help the Myanmar election, Mr Sholban Kara-Ool, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation told Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing during their meeting in Naypyidaw on 4th December 2024.

CNI News

10 December 2024

International community and people within Myanmar are watching whether the State Administration Council (SAC) will extend the state of emergency for another six months in January, 2024 or not and that year is important to Myanmar, which some people points out.

Because the SAC would need to take time to make preparations for a general election, the SAC probably would extend its tenure for another six months after 31st January 2025; after that, the State power would have to be handed over to the State Defense and Security Council and the SDSC would probably form an organization like an interim government, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

" It's more likely that the SAC will extend its tenure for another six months because it will need to take time to make preparations for a general election. If it doesn't extend, the State power must be handed over to the State Defense and Security Council and then the SDSC has to plan to held the election. If the SAC extend, it's more likely to extend its tenure because it will need to take a lot of time." he said.

While the meeting of the State Defense and Security Council was being held

The Myanmar Tatmadaw has taken the State power since 1st February 2021 after announcing the state of emergency and it will have taken the power for four years on 1st February 2025.

At present the SAC is facing military and political crises and political community is watching what the SAC will make a change on 31st January, 2025.

People from local and abroad were watching whether the SAC would extend the state of emergency for another six months or not, U Khun Sai who is taking part in the peace process, told CNI News.

Elections were held in May in the past and later in November. So, he could not estimate when the SAC would hold the election, he said.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC

" All of us within the country, neighboring countries as well as other countries are watching whether the SAC will extend the tenure for another six months or not. We can't estimate what will happen. If the tenure is extended, there'll be enough time to hold the election. But if the SAC doesn't extend and hand over the power the SDSC, the election must be held within six months according to the section.429 of the constitution. The chairman of the SAC didn't say that the election would be held all over the country but in phrases. It's possible if the election is held in phrases." said U Khun Sai.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February 2021, saying the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute that took place in the 2020 general election and has taken the State power after announcing the state of emergency up to now.