CNI News

May 29, 2026

The Shanni (Tai Leng) Nationalities Development Party (SNDP) Chairman, Sai Htay Aung, told CNI News that a proposal will be submitted to Hluttaw (parliament) to officially recognize the Shanni people as an ethnic group in order to attain a Shanni Self-Administered Zone.

During the former President U Thein Sein's administration, the Mongwun ethnic community in the Tarmoenye area of Kutkai, northern Shan State—previously widely known as Mongwun (Chinese)—was granted official documentation legally reclassifying them as Mongwun (Bamar).

Currently, Shanni is not included among the 135 officially recognized ethnic groups in Myanmar. Therefore, to obtain a self-administered zone, it is necessary to recognize "Shanni" as an official ethnic name. Among the 135 ethnic groups, they are recognized as "Tai Leng" or "Tai Lyan." "Tai Leng-Tai Lyan" means Tai (Shan) - Leng/Lyan (Red), which directly translates to "Shanni" (Red Shan) in the Burmese language.

Under Section 6 and Section 8 of the 1982 Citizenship Law, the state government holds the authority to either recognize or revoke the official designations of ethnic groups.

Shanni people protesting to demand official recognition.

Consequently, to bring about a Shanni Self-Administered Zone, a proposal to officially obtain the Shanni name will be submitted to the parliament, Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Shanni (Tai Leng) Nationalities Development Party, told CNI News.

He stated: "When the 2008 Constitution was being drafted, there was a principle laid down by the National Convention known as the '104-point principle.' According to that principle, to claim self-administration, an ethnic population must exceed 50 percent in a single township. If there are two contiguous townships meeting this criteria, they have the right to submit a proposal to demand a self-administered zone. In accordance with that convention principle, the Naga, Kokang, Wa, Pa-O, Palaung, and Danu peoples obtained their self-administered zones. The difference between them and us is that the Shanni are not yet registered as an official ethnic group. The people exist, but the name is not on the official list. When trying to get registered, some want it to be 'Tai Lyan,' some prefer 'Tai Leng,' some want 'Shanni,' and others prefer 'Tai Lyan.' Because of these differing views, our main task is to choose a name that can register the largest possible population list and submit it to the parliament. If the parliament approves it, our next step will be to analyze which townships have our highest population densities and demand self-administered zones for those areas. Our party has decided to submit the name 'Shanni,' but we will consult with our people again on this."

In 2023, the Shanni National Council (SNNC) was formed to establish a state or a self-administered zone for the Shanni ethnic people.

Furthermore, the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) is actively engaged in an armed movement in Kachin State and the upper Sagaing Region to achieve self-determination and self-administration for the Shanni people.

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) seen alongside the Shanni public.

Based on current population figures, Homalin and Banmauk townships in the Sagaing Region could potentially form a Shanni Self-Administered Zone, Chairman Sai Htay Aung told CNI News.

He added: "According to the current population ratio, over 80 percent of the population in Homalin Township is Shan. We currently have to operate under the existing 'Shan' registration. There, the Shan population is over 80 percent. Additionally, in Banmauk Township, it is over 68 percent. There are no other Shan groups there; it is entirely our Shanni people. If the Shanni name is successfully registered, these are the first two townships in that region that can be acquired, as they meet the criteria set for designation. Therefore, if we can establish our name in the immigration registry, our people will be able to demand the rights we are entitled to."

The Shanni people are demanding the creation of a Shanni State by combining areas they historically occupied, which include Myitkyina, Mohnyin, Mogaung, Bhamo, Hkamti, Homalin, Tamu, and Kalay districts.

However, since these areas are currently integrated into Kachin State and Sagaing Region, and because the likelihood of acceptance by both the government and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is weak, the Shanni people's territorial demands are bound to face significant challenges.

Therefore, political analysts point out that it is vital for the Shanni political parties, armed groups, and the public to be united and speak with a single voice in their demands.

CNI News

May 29, 2026

A spokesperson for the Ta'ang Women's Organization (TWO) told CNI News that ethnic groups in Myanmar are not waging a revolution to secede from the country.

During a Union Government meeting held on May 26, 2026, President U Min Aung Hlaing stated that weaknesses within the 1947 Constitution led to states demanding the right to secede, which subsequently escalated political conflicts.

In response, the TWO spokesperson explained to CNI News that ethnic groups are fighting because they want to co-exist within Myanmar while securing the right to self-determination and the freedom to shape their own destiny.

"We don't want to use the word 'secession.' We are not breaking away from the Union. What we want within the Union is equality for all ethnic nationalities, ethnic rights, and the freedom to determine and forge our own destiny. We can see that almost no ethnic group takes the stance or position of seceding from the Union.In my view, everyone is fighting to protect their people, to fully achieve the rights of their public, to secure justice for their community, and to gain self-determination. The revolution currently being waged by ethnic groups is not for secession."she said.

Ethnic armed leaders seen alongside international representatives.

Political analysts point out that the ethnic revolution does not intend to break the country apart or secede. Instead, the primary objective is to uproot dictatorship and build a genuine Federal Democratic Union that encompasses equality for all diverse ethnic nationalities, self-determination, and power-sharing.

Analysts also note that the flaws of the 1947 Constitution stemmed from excessive centralization of power without granting genuine self-determination and full equal rights to the states, alongside limiting equal representation for ethnic groups in the Chamber of Nationalities (the Upper House). They highlight that these shortcomings caused division and dissatisfaction among ethnic groups, eventually leading to secessionist efforts and armed conflicts.

Dr. Kyaw Swe, a Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) MP, told CNI News that according to the manifestos and policy statements of all ethnic armed organizations, no group has the objective of breaking away to establish a new independent nation.

 KIA leader Lieut-Gen Gun Maw seen with Indian and Chinese representatives.

"The majority of ethnic groups proposed rights under the Panglong Agreement. After feeling that they did not fully receive those Panglong rights, they pursued the path of secession. They adopted the armed struggle based on the belief that they would only obtain their rights by fighting for them. The 1947 Constitution was effectively discarded by 1958 and 1960. We need to make amendments to guarantee the rights included in the Panglong Agreement. Although many states were added under the 1974 Constitution, ethnic groups felt that their rights were still insufficient and limited. That is why they continue to utilize the armed struggle. If you look at the policy manifestos and statements of all ethnic armed organizations, no organization has the goal of establishing a new country. They use the armed struggle to secure more rights and to ensure those rights are guaranteed. Most ethnic groups simply want to reach a stage where the Constitution guarantees the federal democracy they aspire to."

Military and political observers emphasize that the position of most Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) in Myanmar is not to secede from the Union to form an independent nation, but rather to build a federal union that guarantees equality, self-determination, and democracy.

However, the Arakan Army (AA) is waging its revolution with the goal of establishing a confederation or a new independent nation.

Similarly, KIA leader Lieut-Gen Gun Maw has previously stated that if ethnic armed groups transition beyond the year 2025, they may develop political considerations that go beyond federalism.

CNI News

May 28, 2026

Lawmakers and entrepreneurs have pointed out that while intensive efforts are required to further develop local manufacturing industries in Myanmar, government support is equally essential.

The current new government is implementing a 100-day plan from April 20 to July 30, 2026. This 100-day plan includes sectors such as increasing loans for farmers, trade, peace, and energy.

U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst, told CNI News that the government needs to effectively assist cottage industries to progress further than they currently are. Only then will it greatly support the country’s economy and be sustainable for the long term.

U Thet Zaw stated: "We are studying cottage industries, such as those producing food products. If their goods can be distributed to the public, we will help distribute them. The state needs to support these kinds of businesses and agricultural products so they can generate value-added output, guiding them technically on how to succeed. The state has the goodwill to foster MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), but in reality, everything from technology to machinery is required. Furthermore, the production of new commodities should be encouraged. Only then will many entrepreneurs and citizens become interested in and capable of production. Currently, looking from an economic perspective, most people in the grassroots economy are online shoppers. The percentage of people who can actually produce goods as physical products is still quite low. Without production, it will be difficult for a country to sustain itself in the long run. Even Thailand has to pair agriculture with manufacturing. If we do not couple agriculture with manufacturing, I foresee that it will be difficult to survive in the long run. Since there are also few entrepreneurs, this industrial sector remains underdeveloped. Because it is underdeveloped, investors do not invest here. They prefer real estate, gold, and cars—believing these will yield profits upon investment. There is even a saying that buying land guarantees no loss."

President U Min Aung Hlaing meeting with small business owners. (Repeated three times in the original text)

Economic analysts suggest that for the economy to improve, Myanmar needs a favorable business environment and a sound economic system, followed by the concrete implementation of a market economy system.

Additionally, they pointed out that when undertaking investment projects, the government needs to look toward the long term and execute projects that truly benefit the country while avoiding national debt.

U Kyaw Min Htet, a Yangon Region Hluttaw (Parliament) representative from the People's Pioneer Party (PPP), told CNI News that the public market in Myanmar currently takes the form of investing in commodities rather than investing in businesses. He suggested that citizens should transition to investing in businesses that will further develop the country.

President U Min Aung Hlaing meeting with small business owners. (Repeated three times in the original text)

U Kyaw Min Htet stated: "Mainly, we need to create a lot of jobs; everyone needs to have employment. We need the circulation of money in the market to become faster rather than having funds sit idle in one place. People in Myanmar do invest, but where do they invest? They buy real estate, or if they hear rumors about car prices, they buy cars in advance, and so on. What I mean is, it has become a market where investments are made in commodities rather than in businesses that drive development. Innovation is not being encouraged. Therefore, I think we will need to gradually reform this through policy. In some areas, there are monopolies—for instance, large sums of money being tied up and operated within real estate. It's not that a thriving real estate market is bad for the country. However, the primary need is to increase the volume of production. Only then will we get export earnings. With export earnings, other various sectors will run smoothly as previously mentioned. Currently, with high imports and a lack of exports, the country is in a state of constant budget revenue deficit, making operations quite difficult." Regarding the economy, the government needs to provide genuine support to those who can actually deliver results, operating with transparency and free of corruption. When implementing projects, it is necessary to prioritize long-term considerations over short-term views.

Although the Myanmar government encourages domestic manufacturing industries, it remains weak in market exploration and technological support.

CNI News

May 28, 2026

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on May 28, 2026, that Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing will visit India in the coming days.

It is reported that the official visit is being made at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, President U Min Aung Hlaing will meet with the President of India.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the President will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi, and will also receive and meet with Indian cabinet ministers, state officials, and representatives from business organizations.

Similarly, he will observe prominent infrastructure projects. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that discussions during the visit will cover cooperation in various sectors, including economic, religious, cultural, and social fields, between the governments and peoples of the two nations.

Indian Prime Minister Modi and President U Min Aung Hlaing previously held bilateral talks in China on August 31, 2025.

CNI News

May 27, 2026

Political analyst Dr. M Kawn La told CNI News that some of the world's powerful nations are shifting toward establishing economic influence over Myanmar rather than pursuing military aggression.

Currently, a powerful neighboring nation is increasing its economic encroachment in certain areas, including Mandalay and northern Shan State. They are using Myanmar citizens as proxies while freely funding and operating businesses behind the scenes, he said.

Dr. M Kawn La stated: "To give a clear example, in the jade mining industry of Phakant in our Kachin State, auction systems are used. For instance, areas with rich jade veins are put up for auction. In the past, local ethnic businessmen could still win them. However, lately, Chinese investors are using a Myanmar national as a proxy while funding the operations from behind. As a result, our ethnic businessmen cannot compete. They cannot afford to bid for the mining blocks. Because they cannot compete, the production of raw gemstones has fallen into the hands of the Chinese. Since the market for finished goods is also in their country, they control the raw materials, leading to fewer opportunities for our citizens in our own gemstone industry. Everyone knows this. This is just one example of foreigners exerting economic dominance. Another issue is the buying and selling of land, which has been going on for a long time. They use citizens as proxies and buy land in groups. Consequently, our ordinary citizens no longer have the opportunity to buy land with their hard-earned money. Inflation has risen. Through these methods, our country's economy has declined, and the opportunities in the hands of our citizens have dwindled."

Furthermore, political observers point out that powerful nations are manipulating things from behind the scenes to achieve their desired political outcomes.

Currently, rather than invading a country through military means, powerful nations are attempting to dominate and control them through aid and assistance, said General Ye Win Oo, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, during the 23rd ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Meeting held on May 21, 2026.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing

He added that instead of military invasion, they are approaching and operating through diverse forms—including political, economic, social, ideological, propaganda, military, and diplomatic means—in order to control and dominate the targeted country.

Particularly, some powerful nations are making competitive efforts to bring smaller countries in the Asia-Pacific region under their influence, moving from political and economic dominance to forming military alliances and conducting joint military exercises for military dominance, General Ye Win Oo stated.

Dr. Kyaw Swe, a Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) MP from the National Unity Party (NUP), told CNI News that a separate border security force needs to be formed to protect against the influence of powerful neighbors.

He said: "International domination is now proceeding under neo-colonialism. In our case, we have two neighboring powerful countries next to us—China and India. We also see Thailand acting like a state of the United States. The main problems are occurring right at those borders. It is obvious from the current perspective that those countries are breeding proxies and maintaining proxy forces to get raw materials cheaply for their own countries. This is clearly visible. To counter this, we must strengthen security in ethnic and border regions. Furthermore, we must erect fences on the ground according to the defined borders. It will be necessary to form something like a dedicated border security force separately."

Daw Saw Mra Raza Lin, Chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), told CNI News that Myanmar stands between two large countries and is also being watched by powerful nations like those in Europe; however, if the country has stability, unity, and good strategies, invasions from other countries will not be possible.

Leaders from neighboring and powerful countries

She said: "In this day and age, democracy is flourishing in many countries around the world. We see a lot of nations being built by prioritizing democracy and human rights. In the case of our country, we are positioned between two large nations, while some powerful European countries are also watching this side. From my perspective, if a country is weak, there are many ways another country can come and invade it. If a country has, number one, political stability; number two, prosperous citizens; number three, unity among all its people; and if it is rich in above-ground and underground natural resources as well as knowledgeable and skilled human resources with good strategies, it is impossible for other countries to enter and invade. Our citizens as a whole, including ethnic unity, need this a lot."

Military and political analysts assess that if the impact of foreign influence cannot be prevented, Myanmar’s oil, natural gas, jade, gemstone reserves, and strategic coastal ports will be manipulated and exploited at will.

They further analyzed that control over territories in Myanmar is currently fragmented among ethnic armed organizations, local defense forces, and the military. If a foreign invasion occurs under these conditions, the centralized power system could completely collapse, potentially tearing the country apart and posing a grave danger of Myanmar becoming a failed state.

CNI News

May 27, 2026

President U Min Aung Hlaing stated that political conflicts in Myanmar escalated significantly due to weaknesses in the 1947 Constitution, which allowed states the right to secede.

The President made these remarks during the Union Government Meeting of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar held at the President's Office in Nay Pyi Taw on May 26, 2026.

He said that "after gaining independence, the country had to address and resolve internal armed conflicts, instability, and foreign invasions, alongside the emergence of factions within the ruling party, as evidenced by the political stability of that time and the population and housing censuses collected."

U Thein Tun Oo, Executive Director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, told CNI News that while Myanmar is currently unified in terms of borders, there are internal issues that remain unresolved, but many possibilities exist if they are tackled through political means.

He said: "It can be said that most of the ongoing internal armed conflicts are rooted in this issue. The main point is that compared to the time when the nation was established in unity, we are now only unified geographically by borders, while having irreconcilable internal problems. If we resolve this aspect through political means, there are many possibilities. So, it comes down to how we approach a workable path. There are viable paths forward for Myanmar today. It is important that we learn lessons from past events and focus on how to unite and coexist within a single territory at this time. The situation back then was what it was, but we have to consider whether maintaining those same flaws suits the present times or not."

Ethnic Armed Organizations.

President U Min Aung Hlaing also noted that reviewing the historical events experienced by the state requires assessing and balancing domestic political situations and international relations from the post-independence era up to the present day.

Political analysts point out that the flaws of the 1947 Constitution lay in the over-centralization of power rather than granting genuine self-determination and full equal rights to the states, as well as restricting equal representation for ethnic groups in the Chamber of Nationalities (the Upper House).

They further noted that these flaws caused discord and dissatisfaction among ethnic groups, leading to attempts to secede from the Union and the breakout of armed conflicts.

A spokesperson for the Ta'ang Women's Organization (TWO) told CNI News that if ethnic equal rights had been granted and justice delivered as previously agreed, she does not believe the conflicts would have reached this current level.

An illustrative painting depicting the signing of the Panglong Agreement.

She said: "I assess that the root cause of these conflicts largely depends on the fact that ethnic people did not achieve national equality and self-determination. When the public does not receive their rightful opportunities, freedoms, and the right to shape their own destiny, they naturally oppose the policies and provisions handed down by the center. Since this is a legal matter, rather than looking at any single cause, I see it as depending heavily on the rules and policies imposed on the public by the center. The Panglong commitments and the 1947 issues are topics still being discussed today. If ethnic equality had been created from the start in accordance with what was agreed, and if the right to shape one's destiny, self-determination, freedom, and justice had been given, I don't think the conflicts would have gotten this severe today."

Chapter 10 (Sections 201 to 206) of the 1947 Constitution prescribed the right to secession, with Section 202 stating that the right of secession should not be exercised within ten years from the date on which the Constitution came into operation.

Military and political observers point out that this implied secession was permissible after the ten-year period; however, in practice, ethnic nationals never received that right.

The reason they did not receive it was that in 1958, nearing the ten-year mark, instead of attempting to secede, ethnic groups proposed and demanded amendments for a genuine federal system. However, General Ne Win led a coup d'état in 1962 and abolished the 1947 Constitution, rendering the right to secession practically null and void.

CNI News

May 28, 2026

When it comes to federalism, it must be understood that it is a federalism based on territory, not one based on ethnicity, said President U Min Aung Hlaing.

He made this remark during the Union Government meeting held on May 26, 2026.

President U Min Aung Hlaing stated, “We will work towards firmly establishing a multi-party democratic system politically, and we will build a Union based on democracy and federalism. When we say federalism, it is necessary to understand that it is a federalism given to territory, not to ethnicity.”

He added that after gaining independence, the nation had to resolve internal armed conflicts, instability, and foreign invasions. He noted that due to the weaknesses of the 1947 Constitution, the emergence of the right of states to secede led to even greater political conflicts.

President U Min Aung Hlaing further emphasized that lessons must be drawn from past events to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future. He stated that efforts must continue to achieve political stability, strengthen the economy, and bring an end to armed conflicts from a security perspective.

In global practice, federal systems include ethnicity-based federalism, geography (territory)-based federalism, combined ethnicity- and geography-based federalism, and nation-based federalism, among others.

Among these, federalism experts point out that Myanmar has built a federal system based on both ethnicity and geography, which shares slight similarities with India's federal model.

CNI News

May 27, 2026

Local residents from Pakokku told CNI News that Pyu Saw Htee militias in Pakokku Township, Magway Region, are conducting forced conscriptions (portering) and extorting money from wealthy youth and middle-aged business owners.

As a result of these forced conscriptions and extortion cases, business owners in Pakokku have been forced to relocate to other cities. Locals noted that these activities are being carried out specifically by the Pyu Saw Htee militias, rather than the military or police forces.

A business owner from Pakokku told CNI News that the militias usually demand between 5 million to 10 million MMK (50 to 100 lakhs) from individuals with moderate wealth, and between 50 million to 100 million MMK (500 to 1,000 lakhs) from merchants, brokers, and large business owners.

"Every time the Pyu Saw Htee arrest someone for portering, we have to go and ransom them. We have to pay the ransom at the large fire station on the bypass road near the eastern side of the town. Sometimes, we have to go to other locations they specify. This has nothing to do with the military or the police; it is just the Pyu Saw Htee causing trouble. They are the ones everyone is afraid of, which is why people are fleeing the town. If a business is even slightly large, the Pyu Saw Htee want to extort money from them. They usually come around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM at night and say, 'Come along with us for a moment.' Even I had to flee. Most of the wealthy people have moved to other cities; they are no longer here. To ransom an arrested business owner, it costs 50 million or 100 million MMK. You cannot get them back with just 5 million MMK. The ransom depends on the scale of the business. That is why most wealthy individuals have already relocated," he said.

It is also reported that when arresting and demanding money from business owners, the militias threaten them by falsely accusing them of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA) or the People's Defense Forces (PDF), claiming they will report them to the Myanmar military.

 Local residents of Pakokku

Currently, these forced conscriptions occur at any time of the day or night within Pakokku. Just a few days ago, two men aged 37 and 48 were reportedly taken. However, because the two victims were acquaintances of the Pyu Saw Htee members who detained them, they were released without having to pay any money.

A Pakokku resident told CNI News that these forced conscriptions have led to labor shortages at local commodity exchange centers, and the number of people moving around the town has drastically decreased.

"The forced conscriptions are getting worse. Knowing they can extort money, they just pick up anyone they see on the streets. They especially like to arrest youths in their 20s and 30s. Last night, they caught older individuals aged 37 and 48, so they didn't do anything to them and released them. They brought them back with their hands tied behind their backs and their eyes blindfolded.
Right now, it is only the Pyu Saw Htee doing the arrests. They drive around the town in cars to abduct people. The town has become so quiet and deserted that it feels like a ghost town. There is practically no one around," the resident said.

According to local sources, the fear of forced conscriptions has significantly reduced the presence of young people outdoors. Furthermore, residents from nearby villages have almost completely stopped coming into the town to buy or sell goods, causing local trade and commerce to plummet.

CNI News

May 27, 2026

It is crucial to review the anomalous skyrocketing of car prices in Myanmar, said Sai Kaung Thet San, a Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) MP from the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), in an interview with CNI News.

Due to the depreciation of the Myanmar Kyat, most domestic entrepreneurs and investors have been shifting their capital into real estate, gold, and automobiles, driving up market speculation.

Sai Kaung Thet San stated that the drastic surge in domestic car prices has created a massive gap between the original manufacturer's factory price and the domestic retail price. He emphasized the need for a systematic review to understand why such a massive discrepancy has emerged.

"If we look back at the parliamentary landscape around 2012–2013, a Hijet cost around 4 million Kyats and a Probox was around 10 million Kyats at that time. For us to return to such an era and elevate the public's standard of living, the first and foremost requirement is for the government's national policy to be properly aligned and correct. Secondly, we need to review the country's current situation alongside the tax burdens placed on citizens. Thirdly, import laws need to be reassessed and amended to keep pace with the times. In our country, a Hilux Revo costs between 250 million and 320 million Kyats. While it costs around 300 million Kyats with a license here, the same Revo costs just over 50 million, 60 million, 70 million, or at most 80 million Kyats in Thailand, where it is manufactured. We need to analyze what exactly went wrong to cause such a massive difference in our country," he said.

Photo of an EV charging station.

The Pyithu Hluttaw representative further explained that these price disparities depend heavily on government policies, and that outdated policies must be amended.

> "The price difference depends primarily on government policy, and secondly, on the need to review existing laws. These two factors are key. What I mean is that we must review taxes and arrange things so they align with the public's actual income. To make cars affordable for ordinary people and to bring prices down, we need to amend laws to improve the current situation. The government policy must also change in certain areas. If no changes are made, it is highly unlikely for a civil servant to ever afford a car. If we can introduce installment plans—such as multi-year payment options—I believe car and motorcycle prices will drop to a reasonable level," he added.

U Aung Pyae Sone, a local businessman, also told CNI News that the primary driver behind the current spike in car prices is solely the government's regulatory policy.

"To look at it from another perspective, when the government imports a vehicle from abroad, it requires US dollars—foreign currency. If the government had sufficient foreign currency reserves, citizens could import as many cars as they wanted. For example, even if a population of 60 million imported 60 million cars, it wouldn't be an issue. However, while citizens earn in Kyat, importing requires US dollars, and the government faces difficulties in subsidizing and allocating foreign currency for this. Consequently, to stabilize the prices of fundamental necessities like fuel and cooking oil, the government has restricted passenger vehicle imports. This is the government's side of the policy. When imports are restricted like this, what issues arise? A car abroad that was worth 10 million Kyats back in 2015 might now be worth 12 million Kyats at most. However, in Myanmar, that same 10 million Kyat car has shot up to around 100 million Kyats. If we look at why this happened, it is due to this policy. Showroom companies and importers cannot cause a 10-fold price hike on their own. It is not that car companies, importers, or traders are manipulating the car market; rather, car prices are fluctuating entirely based on government policies," U Aung Pyi Sone analyzed.

Photo of an EV charging station.

Furthermore, U Aung Pyae Sone added that the government is encouraging the public to use electric vehicles (EVs) by allowing EV imports, while heavily restricting the import of traditional fuel-powered cars, which is driving up overall car prices.

"The government is adhering to the same policies as the previous administration. Because they are maintaining this stance, car prices continue to surge. While they push the public toward EVs and allow EV imports, restrictions on fuel-powered vehicles remain in place. This is why car prices are rising. The government needs to ease import restrictions, allow the import of conventional fuel-powered cars alongside EVs, and implement systems to assemble and sell cars domestically through the SKD (Semi-Knocked Down) system," he said.

Currently, the Myanmar car market faces numerous hardships alongside soaring prices.

Additionally, due to odd/even license plate regulations, EV prices have reportedly surged by 25 percent per vehicle, bringing costs up to around 200 million Kyats.

Businessmen have pointed out that Parliament(Hluttaw) needs to intervene and regulate this situation, and the government needs to reopen car import permits.