CNI News

24 August 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, told relevant officials to develop Kaytumadi City Wall and new city blocks when he was in Taungoo. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Taungoo City on 23rd August and he said the above while inspecting actions to maintain ancient heritage sites of Kaytumadi, ancient city.

" I came here for the reconstruction of Kaytumadi Palace. Kaytumadi City Wall is an ancient heritage site which should be re-exposed; it's necessary to re-expose; places with strong historical evidence; in the same way, it's necessary to develop new city blocks and to move government buildings for the first time." said chairman of the SAC.

In re-exposing confirmed places regarding Kaytumadi Palace and Boattaloke Lake, efforts must be made in accordance with the ancient heritage law and ancient heritage sites must be protected and preserved in accordance with law, he added.

" In constructing buildings, it's necessary to carry out for the development of Taungoo and in order to meet the standards; it's necessary to develop new city blocks systematically, to grow plants and trees in the residential areas and in either side of the road; in building roads, it's necessary to make platforms really useful." he said.

And then, in building new town, hospital, school, fire department, bazaars and departmental buildings must be systematically constructed, he added.

CNI News

24 August 2024

The Myanmar Tatmadaw could carry out a large-scale operation in northern Shan State, Col. Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News. 

Operation-1027 part two broke out in the latest week of June and the Myanmar Tatmadaw lost control of most towns in northern Shan State. Currently, battles are breaking out in Thibaw (Hsibaw) between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the TNLA/MNDAA joint forces.

" I'm not sure whether the Tatmadaw will attack Thibaw, Kyaukme or Lashio. But it plans and prepares for large-scale operations and will attack northern Shan State. I don't think it will attack every town that it has lost control of." said Col. Khun Okkar to CNI News.

Operation Hsinbyushin was formed to launch an offensive in northern Shan State on 13th August and Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win would lead the operation, reported the DVB News Agency. 

While seeing the Kokang Force

The operation is made up of 13 military officials and commander of No.2 Bureau of Special Operations, four commanders of Military Commands, three Major Generals from Air Force, one Major General from the Drone and Technology Force and three brigadier generals are included.

The Tatmadaw would make an attempt to regain control of northern Shan State, but it wouldn't be easy, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the Special Force of the Myanmar Tatmadaw

" They will make an attempt to regain control of northern Shan State, I think. But  it won't be easy because they don't have even reserve forces, they are recruiting even women. When they lost control of Laukkai, they said they would recapture it. But they weren't able to do it. They are trying so as not to lost control of more territories. Seemingly, they might lost control of more territories. It's not easy to recapture the towns, I think." she said.

The Tatmadaw would have to try to regain control of the territories it lost and it needed to reform its mentality, pointed out a person close to the Tatmadaw.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,TNLA,MNDAA) released that they have captured Laukkai, Lashio, Namsang, Mantong, Namkham, Namtu,and Kon Kyan in northern Shan State during Operation-1027 which they launched. Moreover, revolutionary joint forces released that they have captured Mogok, Madaya and Sintku towns.

CNI News

24 August 2024

Because the Unique Identifier (UID) smart cards are issued to those who live in Myawady and have both household member list and national verification cards only, the people coming from other regions are finding it difficult, said philanthropic associations to CNI News. 

Although anyone from other regions were issued UID smart cards, that limitation occurs because of the UID card forgery problem in Myawady.

If a person leave the border gate to go to the Thai side, he must have a UID card. So, people from other regions are finding it difficult, an official from Alinthit Philanthropic Association told CNI News.

" Because of this restriction, people from other regions will have to go back to their native towns to make UIDs kind of. Travel expenses are high. If you go from Myawady to Hpa-an, it costs you at least 130,000 kyats. There are two groups of workers. One is to go to the Thai side and the other is waiting to work in the casinos in the border area. Before they can work, they rent houses and live together." he said.

While seeing those who are applying for UID cards

However, although some people are not residents of Myawady, if they are related to relevant authorities, UID cards reportedly are issued to them. 

Although the authorities has stated that UID cards would be issued to residents of Myawady only, brokers will make UID cards for people from other regions in some way, said philanthropic associations and locals.

Because there have been a lot of IDPs and people who come to work in the border areas, it is difficult to rent houses or flats and house rents are also rising. At present, because of devaluation of Myanmar kyat, everything is sold in Thai baht in Myawady, U Aung Khin, a resident of Myawady, told CNI News.

" You can buy goods in every shop in Thai baht in Myawady. Both Myanmar kyat and Thai baht are used in the town." he said.

There are no people who will visit for other reasons except for those who will work in the Thai side or border areas in Myawady border gate. Moreover, there has been a sharp increase in the number of illegal sneak routes. Moreover, the cost to sneak has reportedly jumped from 20 to 40 lakh kyats.

CNI News

24 August 2024

There are reviews among the Myanmar political circles regarding how it would impact on Myanmar politics if Donald Trump won the US presidential election and formed the government. 

The US presidential election will be held in November to come. Former President Donald Trump as the Republican presidential candidate and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris will run for the presidential election.

If Donald Trump was elected President, the US would stop its hostility to Myanmar, Dr. Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing those who are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw

" It would impact on Myanmar a lot if Trump was elected president. As soon as Trump came to power, the US's hostility to Myanmar would stop. If the Myanmar side treated the US well, the US possibly would help prevent the influence of China. But Myanmar won't ask the US for help directly because Myanmar probably would be like Crimea or Ukraine. And then, the US wouldn't support the NUG. As soon as it stops supporting the NUG, the Tatmadaw could gather strength to attack in northern Shan State." he said.

The US Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would help revolutionary elements with technology and non-military equipment on 15th December 2023. 

Myanmar's affairs must be decided by the Myanmar people and any other country could not, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" It's our Myanmar people who will have to decide the Myanmar's affairs. Myanmar people have two decisions. One is not to negotiate with the Tatmadaw. Next, when we fight, one organization alone can't fight. All must fight together. In this way, we'll go on." she said.

While seeing U Yi Mon, who is trying to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw

Whoever becomes the President of the United States, they would carry out to block China, U Sein Win, former member of the Pyithu Hluttaw, told CNI News.

"Whoever becomes president, in my opinion, they will block China and make US more powerful. China also has ambitions to establish Chinese yuan in southeast Asia to counter the dominations of the US including dollar. China's latest great projects gradually narrows the area for the US kind of." he said.

According to the Myanmar's political landscape that changed on 1st February 2021, the US imposed several sanctions on Myanmar and has taken actions against some leaders of the Myanmar Tatmadaw. Moreover, it has meetings and discussions with some leaders of armed groups fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

CNI News

24 August 2024

Monkeypox will be emphatically monitored at the cross-border gates without affecting domestic and cross-border travel, said the Union Health Minister, professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win. 

He said the above in the negotiation discussion on speeding up prevention and control activities of monkey pox held on 19th August.

Because there are outbreaks of monkeypox and deaths due to the disease in the neighboring and regional countries, special attention was being paid to prevent the spread of monkeypox into Myanmar, said Dr. Thet Khaing Win.

"The WHO has released exact suggestions regarding monkeypox and the Ministry of Health would systematically implement the suggestions in collaboration with other ministries in Myanmar." he said.

While examining a child suspected of having monkeypox

Increasing disease surveillance in the community including cross-border gates, separate treatment, vaccination, prescribing standard therapies; infection control, storage of medicine and medical supplies, health education activities were reportedly discussed.

Monkeypox, which occurs in many parts of Africa is increasing infection and the WHO announced monkeypox as an international health emergency on 14th August.

129 laboratory samples of suspected patients were tested in the laboratory since 2022 up to now, there have been no confirmed cases of monkeypox in Myanmar, said in a statement released by the Ministry of Health on 19th August. 

Although monkeypox is transmitted from animals to humans, it could be transmitted from man to man if you stayed close to a monkeypox patient.

While seeing symptoms of monkeypox

The transmission time of monkeypox can last up to 21 days and it can be divided into two parts. During the first five days of transmission, a person can suffer fever, severe headache, swelling of the sacs, backache, muscle aches and pains, and exhaustion.

During five days after fever, a patient can suffer appearance of red spots, blisters and pustules on the body. And then, the sores disappeared and may leave as scars. Because monkeypox is an infectious disease, personal hygiene is particularly important.

Monkeypox can be prevented by carrying out personal and environmental hygiene systematically.

CNI News

23 August 2024

There are reviews and discussions among businessmen, political analysts and financial experts regarding if there are other ways except for political stability to re-control the problem of the rapid decline in the value of Myanmar kyat at present.

The reason why the value of Myanmar kyat is declining and Myanmar people are facing hyperinflation is because of political instability and if there is political stability, the economy could be convenient to an extent, they reviewed.

There was no alternative but political stability to solve the problem and given the current situation, it was difficult to find an exit, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

While seeing Thai baht and Myanmar kyat

" In my opinion, there is no medicine now. Two things are needed to solve this problem. The first factor is the method and the second factor is the financial strength. We don't have both of them. To call a spade a spade, foreign funds are needed. We need the help of other countries. We don't have both of them. According to the current situation, in my opinion, it's hard to find an exit." he said.

Every country whose politics was unstable did not face inflation; although Russia and Ukraine were at war, their currencies were normally operating because Ukraine was receiving international support and Russia was a powerful country, pointed out economic analysts.

Although the idea that political stability only would solve the problem is generally right, if Myanmar got enough foreign loans, depreciation of Myanmar kyat could stop, U Aung Pyit Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

While seeing Indian rupee

" Although Myanmar is rich in natural resources, international sanctions have been imposed on Myanmar. Moreover, we don't get enough foreign loans. When there are political problems like this, international sanctions are lifted after which if they grant a political exit to the government, the people will be in comfortable circumstances as well; the devaluation of Myanmar kyat will also stop, I think." he said.

Although the State Administration Council is planning to hold the election for political stability, there are many challenges to do so, reviewed by political commentators.

During the preparation for holding the election, it was too hard to know to what extent the public would suffer the problem of devaluation of Myanmar kyat, pointed out businessmen, political commentators and financial experts.

Due to the devaluation of Kyat, foreign currencies only are reportedly accepted in the border areas.

CNI News

23 August 2024

China-Myanmar joint venture projects which are being carried out for the development of both countries would be protected, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council. 

He said the above when he met with Ma Jia, Chinese ambassador to Myanmar on 21st August 2024.

They discussed the latest political developments of Myanmar and joint venture projects which are being implemented for the development of both countries. In the same way, they also discussed matters relating to the promotion of defense cooperation; situations that security cooperation can be promoted; border area stability and reopening border trade gates. At present, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and opposition armed groups.

While chairman of the SAC was meeting with Chinese Ambassador on 21st August 2024

Among the projects invested by China in Myanmar, Tagaung nickel-processing plant in Tigyaing Township, Sagaing Region and the Alpha Cement Factory in Patheingyi Township, Mandalay Region have been captured by opposition armed groups.

Moreover, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) near the Kyaukphyu Deep Sea Port in Rakhine State.

CNI News

23 August 2024

There would be battles in Chin State even after the revolution, Puzothang, Eastern Division Director from the ZRA told CNI News. 

Battles are breaking out among armed organizations representing ethnic groups; because of different policies, unity is disintegrating and territorial disputes could not be solved, he said.

" In my opinion, the unity of Chin State has been broken. In fact, we all must fight against the military council for the time being. As the Chin National Army or the Chinland Council, because they just have attitude that they will lead or direct, the unity has been broken. Because of their attitude, there are battles among Chin brothers. I want to put blame on them. The CNA said that it would crush down any organizations that don't join them in Chin State. They should change their policy. If this keeps up, the unity among Chin brothers will be broken. Even after the revolution, battles will be going on in Chin State." said Puzothang.

There should be brotherly relations among tribal armed organizations in Chin State and if they carried out with a view to building a federal union, it would be better, he said. 

While seeing the CNF

Although CNI News contacted Salai Htet Ni, information officer of the CNF/CNA, by phone to know more about the battles breaking out in Chin State, it has not been able to contact him.

After battles broke out between the CNA joint forces and the ZRA in Tonzang and Kyikha in May 2024, the CNA joint forces captured the two towns, according to Chin local news agencies.

Battles are breaking out between the Chinland Council led by the CNA and the ZRA as well as between the Chinland Council and the Chin Brotherhood Alliance that is made up of the armed Chin locals and the Arakan Army (AA) in Chin State, said a Chin youth.

In the same way, there is military tension between the AA and Chin armed groups in Paletwa Township because of territorial disputes. Among the states and regions in Myanmar, Chin State is the poorest and because of regional conflict, Chin people could suffer hardships more, said Puzothang to CNI News.

While seeing Paletwa Town in Chin State

" Chin people suffer a lot. Students can't attend school. Hospitals can't be opened as well. Staff also can't work. Many Chin people left for Mizoram State in India as refugees who fled battles. Chin people can't go out even within Myanmar, suffering hardships and hunger. Our state is the poorest of states and regions in Myanmar. We can get into trouble more in future." he said.

The ZRA is being active in Tonzang and Tedim Townships in Chin State as well as Kalay, Tamu Townships, Kabaw Valley region in Sagaing Region and along the India-Myanmar border.

The CNF is one of the NCA signatories and its headquarters is located in Thantlan Township, being active in Hakha, Tedim and Matupi Townships.

CNI News

22 August 2024

Stakeholders should follow the previous path of peace to end the conflict, former chairman of Dooplaya District of the KNU, Pado Saw Shwe Maung told CNI News. 

Solving political problems by armed means caused more damages and stakeholders should follow the previous path of peace which were agreed by leaders, he said.

" There were agreements of the leaders. If the agreements were carried out, good results would emerge one day or another. If so, damages and losses would be less. Nothing is perfect. while you are carrying out, if you fill in what you need, everyone will reach their good ambition. If armed means was used, both sides suffer losses. The public suffers the most." said Pado Saw Shwe Maung to CNI News.

While seeing leaders from the Tatmadaw, armed groups and political parties

The Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement was signed by the government, the Tatmadaw and EAOs under the government led by U Thein Sein and the UN, Britain, Norway, Japan, India, China, and the EU signed on the agreement as witnesses.

The NCA was signed by the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Chin National Front (CNF), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the KNU/KNLA-Peace Council, the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).

A civilian government was needed to implement the peace process and according to the current situation of Myanmar, Myanmar could be the battleground of the world, former Pyithu Hluttaw U Sein Win told CNI News.

While seeing leaders of political parties

" According to the Tatmadaw, they want peace more. But it's a civilian government that can really implement the peace process. The civilian government must tell to make the Tatmadaw understand and to make opposition elements understand as well. This must be done for our common trust. Otherwise, Myanmar could be the battleground of the world." he said.

Armed organizations participating in the armed conflict should compromise with each other and some rights should be given to states, said U Sein Win.

After the Myanmar Tatmadaw took the power on 1st February, 2021, the KNU, the CNF and the ABSDF reduced their participation level in the NCA after which battles were breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and those EAOs.

Seven EAOs that have signed on the NCA formed themselves into the 7 EAO Alliance, they released on 18th March, 2024.