CNI News

12 March 2024

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) launched an offensive on 11th March, 2024 for the stability and peace of Pinlebu Town, Sagaing Region, a control territory of the Brigade-614 of the SNA. 

Thohanbwar Column that contained hundreds of troops of the Brigade-614 was trying to to seize control of Pinlebu and was able to control the town in the evening of 11th March and was carrying out clearance operation, said an official from the SNA.

" Thohanbwar Column of the SNA's Brigade-614 that contains troops by the hundred has started its offensive in Pinlebu. Now it has already arrived in the town and deployed its security forces there. And it's carrying clearance operation. The column had to wage a battle against the KIA/PDF joint forces before arriving in the town." he said.

The SNA is being active in Khamti, Homalin, Pinlebu, Banmauk, Wuntho, Kawlin, Tamu, Mawlike, Shwe Pyi Aye, Phaungbyin and Indaw Townships, Sagaing Region as well as in Mohnyin, Mogaung, Karmine, Indawgyi and along the railway, Kachin State.

Inside these territories, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the People's Defense Force (PDF) and the Kuki National Army (KNA/KNO) have been active.

 So, battles are breaking out between these forces and the Tatmadaw and the territories have been unstable. And then the SNA is carrying out for the peace and stability of the territories.

While the SNA is carrying out for the peace and stability of the territories, it is waging battles against the KIA, the PDF and the KNA. 

The SNA is an EAO that is making an effort to get the Shanni State as well as to achieve ethnic equal rights.

CNI News

12 March 2024

The price of pure gold within the country is between 39 and 40 lakh kyats per tical and the skyrocketing price of gold like that affects all classes, according to gold market analysts. 

Due to the increase in the price of gold, foreign exchange rates are also increasing. Because of increase in foreign exchange rates, the prices of imported goods have also increased.

Although the increase in the price of gold didn't impact on the people directly, it was directly affecting the public, Ko Nay Lin, a gold market analyst, told CNI News.

While seeing the homecoming time of people from the basic class

" Anyone who has enough money can buy some gold. Although you might say that those who don't have enough money are not related to the gold price, when the prices rise and fall, it impacts on other places. So, you can't say that the price of gold isn't related to everyone. It impacts on everyone more or less. It is directly related to the dollar price. What is related to the dollar is export and import. What is related to imported products is consumer goods we are using. Now, even imports from abroad are limited. One is allowed to import only goods worth three hundred thousand dollars. So, the rise and fall of the price of gold impact on everyone more or less." he said.

Although gold entrepreneurs were called and inspected by authorities concerned to bring down the price of gold last year and this year, in addition to having no effect, the price of gold is increasing year after year.

The price of pure gold that was about 13 lakh kyats per tical in 2020 has reached until 40 lakh kyats at present. Because the rise in gold prices was a consequence of monetary inflation, it was not east to control; if the monetary inflation went on existing, the rise in commodity prices affecting basic class would go on, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

While food products are being sold

" Rise in the price of gold is no problem because you can't blame the rise in gold prices alone. Its main cause is monetary inflation. It affects basic class. The middle class and upper class hold gold or dollars because of monetary inflation. During the past two or three years, the rate of monetary inflation is too fast. Its rate of inflation is faster than those of gold and dollar. All things considered, the main culprit is inflation. So, it will affect basic class." he said.

It was necessary to improve the economy of the country so as to bring down the rising prices of gold, foreign currencies and commodities because of monetary inflation, and the economy would only be good if the political situation was good, pointed out businessmen and economic analysts.

If the political and economic environments continue like this, domestic commodity prices will continue to rise.

CNI News

12 March 2024

While undocumented Myanmar people and Myanmar overstayers were going to Myanmar Embassy to apply for certificates of identity (CI) in order to go home, they were being extorted at the checkpoints on the way by Malaysian authorities, Myanmar organizations there told CNI News. 

If there were checkpoints of Malaysian authorities on the way to the Myanmar Embassy, the authorities threatened undocumented or overstayers Myanmar people that they might arrest in order to get some money, U Aung, chairman of Malaysia-based Yadana Sekka Funeral Service, told CNI News.

" If you explained your reasons to the authorities, they would release you. But you need to pay them at least about 200 ringgits. They tend to threaten that you have no CI now. So, you are illegal. They say they can arrest you. And then, you have to pay them. Malaysian police wait and arrest at the places about five meters away from the embassy. So, we complained to the embassy about it. The embassy guaranteed that we would not be arrested in the compound of the embassy." he said.

While seeing Myanmar workers

The Malaysian government implemented a repatriation program from March 1 for undocumented workers to return home without being prosecuted. Undocumented foreigners or overstayers can return to their home countries after paying a fine of 500 ringgits only when they got CI from the embassies of their countries.

However, the reason why Myanmar citizens were being asked money was because Myanmar Embassy has designated the process in which CI must be applied in person, U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director general of the Center for Arakan Refugees (CAR) told CNI News.

"The number of Bangladeshi people who returned to their country are more than Myanmar people. But Bangladeshi people can apply for CI through online. They don't have to come to their embassy in person. So, they can get CIs ASAP. If you have held your CI, you won't be arrested. If you travel without CI, you can find it difficult on the way." he said.

Although Malaysian authorities have designated to implement the repatriation program from 1st March to the end of December, the number of Myanmar people who return to their home country still has been few and the ill only are making preparations to go home reportedly.

CNI News

12 March 2024

In the situation in which the country was a failed state, leading to annihilate each other was kind of breaking their future, Sai Leik, General Secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) told CNI News. 

Tatmadaw took the State power on 1st February 2021 after which political changes arose. And then, armed conflicts have widely spread across the country.

" Even though our country has been a failed state, the country is going to reach the lowest level. If stakeholders are just aiming to annihilate each other, it will kind of break their future." said Sai Leik to CNI News.

While seeing a construction worker

Because of battles, the people are daily facing economic crisis, transportation difficulty, high commodity prices and territorial insecurity. On the other hand, organizations that have involved in the armed conflict are very keen on annihilating each other rather than solving political problem by political means reportedly.

While battles were more widely taking place, the people were facing various kinds of trouble and relevant organizations needed to meet and discuss, Naing Than Shwe, spokesperson of the Mon Unity Party (MUP), told CNI News.

" Because of battles, the people are finding it difficult to travel and transport goods. Next, there will be a fuel crisis; businesses will be more difficult; prices will be higher. And if battles take place widely, the people will face various kinds of trouble. Stakeholders need to meet and discuss with good will towards the public." he said.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

After saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February 2021 and has taken the responsibility of the State after declaring the state of emergency.

And then, some leaders of the NLD and democratic elements launched the Spring Revolution and at present, battles are breaking out in Karen, Karenni, Chin, Rakhine, Kachin States, Sagaing and Magway Regions.

Because of there battles, there has been a decline in the sectors of politics, economy, education, health and so on and it has not been able to be solved reportedly.

CNI News

11 March 2024

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand have been arrested more because of complaints from Thai citizens, Thailand-based those who help in the affairs of migrant workers told CNI News. 

Among the arrests,  the arrests took place more after Thai authorities came to inspect for reporting something suspicious, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

Thai employers are competing one another, so there will be complaints. Another thing, there are organizations, like militia, in which elders of the ward are included in townships. There is already a system to notify if something suspicious such as illegal entry of migrant workers is found. So, authorities came to inspect and arrest. The arrests like that have increased" he said.

Because locals complained that many foreigner migrant workers were working in textile factories and hotel restaurants in Sa Kaeo State, officials from immigration department, police and other departments came to inspect and arrested 25 illegal migrant workers a few days ago. 

A Myanmar migrant who is selling biryani on a sidecar in Thailand

In the past, there were also complaints from Thai citizens regarding Myanmar people who were selling goods on pushcarts and Myanmar citizens who had opened their own shops.  

However, later, the number of Myanmar citizens who arrived in Thailand has increased and they have occupied in the workplaces of not only factories and workshops but also service business reportedly. 

As Myanmar citizens are working in the service business with their own cars, Thai drivers are complaining, according to those who help migrant workers. Myanmar citizens will continue to enter Thailand and complaints might increase, Ko Thargyi who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers, told CNI News.

Myanmar migrant people who are detained in the Tak immigration department

" Some Myanmar people sell goods on their pushcarts and other Myanmar citizens open their own shops. Moreover, some Myanmar citizens are doing ferry business by their own cars for their compatriots and doing business of moving house. And they are buying Myanmar citizens air tickets as well. Frankly speaking, our Myanmar people want to post their businesses online. And then, there are many complaints from Thai citizens regarding it. Local Thai taxi drivers complain against Myanmar nationals who are doing business of ferry for their compatriots after making contacts one another. Thai taxi drivers don't have to work a lot. There are also many complaints as well." he said.

At present Thai authorities are strictly carrying out security operation regarding Myanmar citizens. Moreover, because the number of Myanmar people who are entering Thailand have increased more, Thai citizens are exploiting the current situation by promoting hostel fees and house rents reportedly.

CNI News

11 March 2024

Because of battles breaking out between the Tatmadaw/militia joint forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)/ the People's Defense Force (PDF) joint forces in Kachin State, parts of the trade route have been closed reportedly. 

Bhamo-Lweje road and  Myitkyina-Bhamo road were closed temporarily on 7th March, 2024 when the battles broke out and the roads were open in the morning of 8th March, 2024 reportedly.

As the battles are taking place in Bhamo and Momauk Townships and it was not easy to take out bananas and sugar canes from Momauk Township, it's been difficult to export them to China from Lweje and it was not convenient to pass northern part of Bhamo but it was just okay in southern part, Ko Hein Zin Tun, a truck driver from Lweje, told CNI News.

" I don't know for sure. I heard the roads were closed, but it was said that this morning they were open. I haven't heard of battles taking place in Momauk. But there is military tension there. We can't take out products from there such as bananas and sugarcanes to be sent to Lweje. We can't go through Thandaung and Myothit. Currently, we are going to Ruili and Lweje. To tell you exactly, we can't go from the northern part of Bhamo, but we can go from the southern part." he said.

Because of battles, Bhamo-Myitkyina Road has been closed; because the Bhamo road has been closed, it's been difficult to transport goods to Lweje border trade;  they couldn't go to the banana farms in Hkayan Village, Waingmaw Township, Ko Shan Gyi, a truck driver, told CNI News.

KIA troops

" The battles didn't impact a lot yesterday. But going in and out of banana farms stopped for a moment. It's not easy to go to Hkayan alone. We can go to all the remaining places. As the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road has been closed for the time being, we can't go on that road. If the battles break out in Bhamo, it will be difficult to go to Lweje. We can go to Kan Pite Tee because it is distant from battles." he said.

Because of the fighting on the routes bordering Kachin State and Sagaing Region in February, Myitkyina-Bhamo Road and Mandalay-Bamo Road were closed reportedly. 

Because of battles that broke out on 7th March 2024, locals had to be displaced and it was not safe in Bamo, a Bhamo local told CNI News.

" Bhamo-Myitkyina Main Road has been closed and so has Bhamo-Mandalay Road. People from villages where battles broke out came towards Bhamo. But for the time being, our travelling has not been affected because battles took place around the road that was closed firstly. In fact, we are worried. It's not too safe even in our town." he said.

Due to battles breaking out in Kachin State, trade routes are often closed and trucks are also frequently stuck.

CNI News

11 March 2024

There are reviews among political circles regarding how the diplomatic rivalry between the State Administration Council (SAC) and the National Unity Government (NUG) is. 

The SAC and the NUG have been competing in political, military and diplomatic affairs starting from 1st February, 2021.

There are more than 190 counties in the United Nations (UN) and over 120 countries support and recognize the NUG. On the other hand, only a few countries including Russia and China support and recognize the SAC, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the SAC government

"Among over 190 countries which are included in the UN, 127 countries support the NUG. About 35 countries are non-aligned. China, Russia and some of their followers only support the SAC. I think they are only five countries in total. By looking at this position, which side has the upper hand in diplomacy is obvious. As the ASEAN is a colorful organization. Some countries did what the SAC liked. But because the ASEAN was able to lay down five decisions, it was obvious which side is stronger." he said.

The SAC and the NUG are trying to get recognition from neighboring countries including the UN and the ASEAN. The ASEAN Annual Defense Ministers Meeting held in Vientiane, Laos, on 5th March, 2024 was attended by U Zaw Naing Win, director general of the Defense Ministry's International Affairs Department.

Because the SAC attended the ASEAN Annual Defense Ministers Meeting, it couldn't be said that the SAC has had the upper hand in the diplomatic affairs. According to the 2008 Constitution, the SAC was currently a legitimate government, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing members of the NUG

" In any case, the SAC is a legitimate government. Generals only take the responsibility for The Ministry of Defense. A person wearing the current military uniform attended the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting. It's no wonder. He must be allowed to attend the meeting. So, the SAC has had the upper hand in diplomatic affairs, that we can't say it for sure. According the 2008 Constitution, the SAC is currently a legitimate government which some accepted while others don't." he said.

Having said that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February, 2021 and it has taken the State power after declaring the state of emergency.

CNI News
9 March 2024

Although Malaysia has allowed undocumented foreigners and overstayers to go home with certificate of identity (CI) starting from 1st March 2024, the number of Myanmar people who go home has been still few, Myanmar philanthropic associations in Malaysia told CNI News.

Although there are about 600,000 undocumented foreigners in Malaysia, the number of people who went home was just 800, said the Minister for Home Affairs of Malaysia at a press conference on 1st March.

Because that program has been valid up to December, the number of people who go home might be few and they might be waiting to win job opportunities. Moreover, the ill only were making preparation to go home, U Aung, chairman of the Malaysia-based Yadana Sekka Funeral Service told CNI News.

" For the time being, the number of people who go home still has been few. There was only one immigration department in Johor in the past. But now there have been three or four departments. Everyone is allowed to print their fingerprints in the immigration department in every township. The people who will go home are mostly Nepalese, Bangladeshi and Indonesian ones. They have to wait in line since early in the morning. Myanmar people have not neen among them as yet. According to the current Myanmar political situation, Myanmar people who prepared to go home haven't gone back. For the time being, those who will go home are the ill and pregnant women." he said.

While seeing those who will apply for CI books

Among those who want to go home, the people who has no passports must apply for CIs at the Myanmar Embassy in person.

However, Myanmar people from distant regions find it difficult for the journey to come to the embassy, according to Myanmar philanthropic associations in Malaysia. So, it would be convenient if the embassy opened its branches, Ko Thet, chairman of the Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donors Association, told CNI News.

" Myanmar people from distant places have to come three to five hours in advance to apply for CI. It would be convenient if the embassy opened its branches in other townships. Brokers will be involved. Most of our people don't know how to do such as how to go to immigration department, how to wait in line and how to buy air tickets in advance. Brokers will ask at least 400 to 500 ringgits." he said.

Undocumented and overstayers Myanmar people must pay 500 ringgits for the fine and pay for air tickets as well, Myanmar Embassy stated.

According to that program, undocumented foreigners including Myanmar citizens and overstayers have been allowed to go home. So, arrests have been reduced in Malaysia reportedly.

CNI News
9 March 2024

In exporting bananas to China through Kan Pite Tee border trade since the banana season this year, because of unlicensed trucks entering from China, Myanmar truck owners are finding it difficult, said truck drivers.

Because banana farm owners are using unlicensed vehicles from China to export bananas, the number of times that Myanmar trucks carry bananas is decreasing.

Compared to the same period last year, Myanmar trucks had carried banana 20 times from November, when the banana season started, to March. However, at present, because of unlicensed Chinese trucks, a Myanmar truck has carried banana only eight times, Ko Htut, a truck driver from Kan Pite Tee, told CNI News.

" We can't carry banana many times because there are many unlicensed trucks here. Banana farm owners and Chinese people have bought unlicensed trucks. It's difficult for our licensed trucks. So, we have to go down until Mandalay and carry pumpkins and watermelons. We had carried banana more than 20 times at a time like this last year. But this year, we have carried banana only eight or nine times at most."he said.

While seeing tissue bananas

The number of unlicensed trucks that entered from China is about half of Myanmar licensed ones and some of Myanmar licensed trucks there have been parked reportedly. Some Myanmar trucks went to Mandalay and carry watermelon and onion from Mandalay.

Although the truck owners have to get a lot of money for transporting goods from Mandalay, having to pay the checkpoints along the way was a lot, said truck drivers.

In comparison with unlicensed Chinese trucks, the number of times Myanmar licensed trucks carry banana has been reduced about half. So, he wanted authorities to control unlicensed Chinese trucks, Ko Shine Way, a truck driver from Kan Pite Tee, told CNI News.

 " The number of unlicensed Chinese trucks is about 30 to 40. It is about half of licensed Myanmar trucks. Chinese traders and banana farm owners have bought these unlicensed trucks. Some of our trucks go down to Mandalay and carry goods such as watermelon and onion from there. It's not difficult to go down to lower part, but there are so many checkpoints along the way. So, we have to pay a lot. Now about two third of our licensed trucks go down to carry goods from lower country. It is convenient for us if authorities can control unlicensed trucks. If they can't, when unlicensed trucks have carried banana six times, we have only three times." he said.

Tissue bananas grown in Waingmaw and Myitkyina Townships, Kachin State are being exported to China through Kan Pite Tee border trade and banana season is from November to June reportedly.