CNI News

6 March 2024

Malaysia will close the entry of migrant workers on 31st May at the latest, Malaysian authorities stated on 1st March 2024.

Migrant workers must submit their visa applications on 31st March, 2024 at the latest, said in the statement. It was possible because there was no need to recruit new workers, U Myat Thu, general secretary of the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF), told CNI News.

" Their government has designated that people who have got calling and demand letters will have to be submitted on 31st March 2024 at the latest. And they will have to leave the country on 31st May, 2024 at the latest. Malaysia closes the entry of migrant workers because they don't need anymore." he said.

While seeing migrant workers

At the meeting of the joint committee of the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs and the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources, the statement was released by the directive of the minister for home affairs reportedly. If there were migrant workers who did not submit their visa applications on the deadline, job quotas would be canceled, said in the statement.

So, if workers were being called like there were demand letters after 31st March, they would be lies, U Win Myint, managing director of Lucky Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.

"There are too many scams in Myanmar. So, you must be careful. As soon as calling is closed, those who have submitted visa applications for jobs only will leave for Malaysia. There will be no more demand letters after 31st March 2024. You will have no jobs in Malaysia. The Malaysian government will allow those who are included in the list of workers to work legally in Malaysia. Those who are late will lose all prepaid expenses including levy." he said.

While seeing migrant workers

It was necessary to review labor quotas given to each country that has taken the agreement because the economy in Malaysia was volatile, said Malaysian authorities at the press conference held on 26th January 2024. So, the state might be related to what Malaysian authorities said at the news conference.

However, many Myanmar citizens are entering Malaysia illegally everyday and at the same time, many Myanmar citizens are being arrested everyday reportedly. Moreover, undocumented foreigners including Myanmar citizens and overstayers have been allowed to go home after paying a fine designated.

CNI News

5 March 2024

They wouldn't secede and they would build to get a confederate state at least, said U Khaing Thukha, spokesperson of the Arakan Army (AA). He said the above at the press conference held online on 4th March, 2024.

" We won't secede. We have said clearly that we must get the confederation at least. We won't ask anyone to win the political objective that we want. We will carry out the guarantee by ourselves." he said.

The AA is implementing the Way of Rakhita and a Rakhine ethnic armed group that is waging armed attacks, aiming to get a confederation status and expecting to get an independent state. The confederation status that the AA means is like the United Wa State Army (UWSA) having the level of administrative power.

At present, the AA is fighting against the Tatmadaw in Rakhine State and has seized control of Mrauk U, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun Towns.

While seeing Khaing Thukha

In the same way, the AA has already captured Paletwa Town in Chin State. Moreover, Battles are breaking out near Ranbye, Ann and Sittwe. The AA is carrying out administration and judiciary issues in the territories that it has captured. 

Delegates of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee of the State Administration Council met and discussed with the three northern groups including the AA in Kunming, China on 1st and 2nd March.

They mainly discussed the stationing of troops in the places where they arrived and the ceasefire reportedly.

CNI News

5 March 2024

Several border places between Moreh, Manipur State, India and Tamu, Sagaing Region, Myanmar have been re-opened for a limited time, reportedly from residents of Tamu. Kumar Gate, Petan Gate, Shiva Gate and David Gate are opened from 06:00 a.m to 09:00 a.m. or from 06:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.

After communal riots broke out in Manipur, India, Tamu locals were prohibited from coming and selling goods. The reason why some gates were re-opened was because the people from the Indian side wanted petai beans that have already emerged in Tamu, Ko Min Ko, a person who go from Tamu to Moreh to sell goods, told CNI News.

" The gates are not legally opened. The Indian side has opened, but you can enter from the places they have designated. Official gates agreed by the two countries have been closed for a long time. They have not been open as yet. But now, have petai beans already appeared in Tamu? The people from the Indian side want petai beans. They open some gates for petai beans. But they open not every day. If this place is closed today, the other place is open." he said.

Tamu-Moreh border stone

Kalay-Tamu- Kalaywa border trade gate, official gateway of Myanmar - India bilateral trade has been closed since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak. In fact, some border places have been opened with mutual understanding. Only when the Indian side opens, the people from Myanmar side can sell goods. Because some border trade gates have been opened, petai beans produced in Tamu can be sold on the Indian side. But they can be sold only on the basis of limited time. They could not be sold at a good price, Ko Maung Win, a trader from Tamu, told CNI News.

" It is convenient. By we can't sell petai beans at a good price. Now they don't buy a lot of petai beans. Because they open some places sometimes, it's a little convenient. Petai beans traders thought in the early days that they couldn't sell petai beans. When the patai beans really appear, Indian people buy petai beans again. But the price is reduced because we have to sell for a limited time." he said.

The sign of Nanphalon Market in Tamu

At present, consumer goods and food products that come from Monywa and Mandalay have not been able to be exported to India through the Tamu border because of difficult transportation. Only the products produced in Tamu can be sold and some products only are imported from India.

Battles are breaking out on the way before getting to Tamu, It is still not convenient for trucks to travel. The people have to travel on the forest roads by motorcycle, said traders.

CNI News

5 March 2024

The agreement that the State Administration Council (SAC) has recognized the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) as the government of Kokang region was not right but just spreading misinformation, those who are close to both the SAC and the Three Brotherhood Alliance, told CNI News.

The three northern allies and the SAC's the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) discussed in Kunming, China from 1st to 2nd March, 2024 for the fourth time. 

And then, although some agreements were signed on 3rd March, 2024, the point that recognized the MNDAA as an official government of Kokang region was not included in the agreements and but the Kokang region was recognized as the Special Region-1, said a person who is close to the SAC and the three brotherhood alliance.

While seeing the MNDAA force

" The Kokang region is recognized as the Special Region-1, but the discussion will be conducted only after the troops are withdrawn to designate some territories. The point that recognizes the MNDAA as a government isn't included. Matters relating to territorial designation, administration and army deployment will be discussed later. The troops have to stop where they arrive, cease fire and don't do military activities. These are main things." he said to the CNI News. Moreover, to ceasefire between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) was mainly discussed and so to re-open the China-Myanmar border trade reportedly.

"If there are many armed groups on the border trade route, the trade can't be conducted. It's just related to G to G initiative. As long as there are various armed groups on the way, the border trade can't be re-opened. It was mainly discussed, relating to China." he said.

While seeing the MNDAA force

Moreover, the news that the MNDAA had been recognized as the government of the Kokang region was just misinformation. But the Kokang region was just recognized as the Kokang Special Region-1. The point that in the border trade with China, the MNDAA will take 70 percent of the customs duty and the government, 30 percent was not right. If there were armed groups on the border trade route, the border trade couldn't be re-opened, which was discussed with China, he added.

In the same way, the point that the SAC had recognized that the territories which the MNDAA has seized control of was just misinformation and the SAC demanded the three northern groups to only retreat their troops, they said.

CNI News
2 March 2024

Pu K Vanlalvena, a member of parliament of Mizoram State, India met and discussed with officials of the Arakan Army about the construction of road, The Lairam Time, a regional media in Mizoram reported.

They met and discussed somewhere near the border on 29th February, 2024 reportedly.

They mainly discussed about building the road that would pass between Mizoram State and Paletwa Township and the MP studied the path to be constructed reportedly. At present, the AA has seized control of Paletwa Township after fighting against the Tatmadaw and is establishing administration.

India was implementing the Kaladan River Project that contain from Mizoram State to Sittwe through Paletwa Township. However, India is facing losses due to the suspension of the project as a result of battles between the Tatmadaw and the AA.

After that, India needed to discuss with the AA for restarting the project and the reconstruction of the paths included in the project.

CNI News
2 March 2024

If Myanmar citizens who have held certificates of identity (CIs) have got passports, they could stay and work in Thailand as MoU workers, Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok has stated.

If passports were taken, Myanmar citizens would have to contact to the office of the Labor Commissioner with a factory/workshop arrangement. And then, they could continue to carry out to register as MoU workers reportedly.

In the past, when passports were issued to those with CIs, they were allowed to stay and work officially in Thailand. But they could not carry out to register in the list of MoU workers. But those with CI can carry out to register in the list of MoU workers. So, it could affect overseas employment agencies, Ko Thargyi who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers, told CNI News.

While seeing a CI book

"There will be negative consequences for Myanmar agencies. Some Myanmar people may enter Thailand illegally and they will make CI and then Baht Pink Cards. They will make MoU through CI. Local overseas employment agencies can't find jobs although they have deposited several hundred thousands. They don't get demand letters. If you submit a demand letter, it will take you long. So, it will be delayed in calling workers. They can lose deposits. They have to pay rental fee for office, salaries for staff and so on." he said.

This program arose after Myanmar officials, Thai authorities and Thai entrepreneurs negotiated and agreed in order to enable Myanmar workers to work with official documents reportedly.

Currently, the number of Myanmar workers working with CI in Thailand is over one million and the program will apply to all Myanmar workers reportedly.

Myanmar workers

" In the past, the purpose of issuing CI was just for a period of identity verification. They had to be using this before they got passports But now a worker with CI can contact the office of Labor Commissioner to become an MoU worker. He can choose to work as an MoU worker through an agent. Otherwise, he can do the current job with official documents." said U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED to CNI News.

As per submission of factories/workshops, officials will go to the factories and workshops where Myanmar workers with CI are working with mobile team to collect information about the workers. And then passports will be issued reportedly.

Myanmar workers have to make CI books through brokers and it costs them about 10,000 bahts. The program is a way to collect taxes from legal workers, those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers, review.

CNI News
2 March 2024

Although EVs have been allowed to be imported since 2023, the assembly and production of electric vehicles with (Semi-Knocked-Down) SKD system will be conducted in 2026, according to motorcar entrepreneurs.

The National Electric Vehicle and Related Industries Development Steering Committee has laid down the policy to assemble and produce EVs within the country.

So, The EV sector could create more job opportunities in 2026, U Kyaw Swar Tun Myint, secretary general of Myanmar Automobile Manufacturers And Distributors Association, told CNI News.

" The pilot project started in 2023 to import EVs. In 2024, the pilot project was renewed and importing EVs was allowed. In 2025- 2026, the policy has been laid down to manufacture with SKD system within the country by a national level organization. In 2026, assembly and production of EVs will be mandatory. But at the same time, CBU (Completely Built Up ) cars are allowed to be imported. But percentage of assembly and production of EVs will increase. If EVs were assembled and produced with the country in 2026, job opportunities will increase." he said.

While cars are being assembled and produced

If EVs could be assembled and produced with SKD system within the country, the prices of electric cars will be cheaper and later, all social classes might buy and use EVs. However, at present, in relation to importing EVs,  the tax has been exempted.

So, rather than assembly and production within the country, importing EVs was more cost effective, pointed out automobile entrepreneurs. If EVs were assembled and produced within the country, the cost for transporting parts would be higher and the price of each part was also high reportedly.

According to the current situation of Myanmar, Myanmar doesn't have enough electricity to assemble and produce EVs, U Min Min Maung, chairman of the Yangon Region Automobile Manufacturers And Distributors Association, told CNI News.

" For the time being, tax exemption has been allowed to import EVs. If Evs are assembled and produced in Myanmar, electricity won't be available enough.. Next, transportation of EV parts is costly. So, rather that assembly and production of EVs here, importing EVs is more cost effective. And the prices of SKD parts that have to be bought abroad are also high." he said.

While cars are being assembled and produced

although the assembly and production of EVs with the SKD system within the country in 2026 would be implemented, the government needed to support to sustain the SKD system and to assemble and manufacture EVs at an international level, added U Min Min Maung.

" Financial condition of the State, and the difficulties of businessmen, what are they experiencing? And then what can the State support? It depend on that a lot. Depending on that, they worked for a short time to arise a SKD factory and then it disappeared. To avoid such a pattern, the State needs to help and regulate. The State will have to gradually support to become CKD (Completely Knocked Down) from SKD at an international level." he added.

At present, over 1,000 EVs have already entered Myanmar reportedly. In order to import a large number of EVs, If the State set a policy regarding EV import permit, the prices of EVs would fall and many people could buy and use EVs, said automobile market experts.

CNI News
2 March 2024

Images of troops of the Mon State Liberation Army (MLA) attending military training courses at the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) were officially released.

The MLA was formed in September, 2022 and it stated that its troops attended Military Training Course Batch No.1 and No. 2 which were trained by the TNLA. As the Mon armed groups, there are the Mon State Liberation Army (MLA), the New Mon State Party, the New Mon State Party (Anti-Dictatorship) and Local PDF.

Among them, the NMSP has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and is participating in the peace process. However, other Mon armed groups are making preparations to fight against the Tatmadaw to overthrow it.

CNI News
2 March 2024

Despite reports that the price of gold within the country has reached over 39 lakhs at present, the price was just a rumor, denied the Yangon Gold Entrepreneurs Association (YGEA).

Gold shops were not trading at that price and they were trading at a little higher price than the one designated by the YGEA, said association.

According to the prices of gold released by the YGEA on 29th February 2024, the price of pure gold is about 3.661,000 million kyats and there is a gap of 200,000 kyats between the selling price of gold of gold shops and the one designated by the YGEA, according to the gold market.

Gold shops selling at a price much higher than the reference price will be taken action against by closing them for three months, U Myo Myint, chairman of the YGEA, told CNI News.

While seeing a gold shop

" The price of gold isn't 39 lakh kyats. It's just a rumor. If you go and sell your gold at this price, no one will buy your gold. If there' someone who will buy at this price, people will sell their gold by the ton. Real price is a little different from the one designated by the YGEA. If a gold shop sell at a much higher price than the price designated, the shop will be closed for three months by the department concerned." he said.

Because of spreading rumors and raising prices of gold, the gold market is volatile and the transaction is in a stalled state, according to the gold market. Most of gold shops have suspended sales reportedly.

Some people who buy and collect gold want to make a profit were creating the current situation to raise the price of gold by spreading rumors and most regular gold traders wanted the price of gold to fall and stabilize the price, U Ohn Myaing, secretary of the Myanmar Gold Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.
"I heard that price. But I don't know whether there is a transaction or not. I heard that the price was 3,885,000 kyats per tical not long ago. But now the price has been 3.9 million or over 3.9 million. The gold market has been volatile due to rumors kind of. People talking about this price online are not those who work in the gold industry. Those who have bought a viss of gold or as able as they could are posting the price online because they want to make a profit. Gold entrepreneurs want the price to fall or to be stable. Whenever they hold a large of money, they might make a profit. Only when the amount of gold increases in their hands, they make a profit." he said.

While seeing a gold shop

Although the relevant authorities called and interrogated gold shop owners and gold entrepreneurs as a regulator of the price of gold, it didn't help to stabilize the price of gold.

Moreover, domestic price of gold might exceed the record price that occurred last year, pointed out gold market analysts.

Domestic price of gold might remain around 38 lakh kyats per tical and the price might change only when the gold production from the gold mines would be suspended, said gold market analysts.