CNI News
29 December 2024

Although Suzuki Ertiga cars that are being remanufactured, using the Semi Knocked Down (SKD) system, are being sold, because the selling price of the car, it can't impact on the car market, according to the people in the car market.

Because the original price was around 1,000 lakh, the car market was being watched; at present, the car was being sold and bought at 1,500 lakh to 2,000 lakh.

So, the prices of used cars were less likely to fall, secretary general of the Myanmar Automobile Manufacturers and Distributors Association, U Kyaw Swar Tun told CNI News.

" At present, a new Ertiga car whose price was announced 1050 lakh kyats before is being sold and bought. Supply and demand are in balance. So, the prices of used cars are less likely to fall. If the price of the new car is sold and bought at a little over 1,000 lakh kyats in practice, other cars are very likely to fall. Because the car is sold at 1,500 lakh kyats, I don't think the prices of other cars will fall a lot." he said.

In the current car market, a Suzuki Ertiga is being sold and bought at above 1,000 lakh kyats. In the domestic car market, transactions are only made by agreement between the seller and the buyer and Japanese cars including SUZUKI cars and Chinese cars are also popular.

" At present, the car that is announced that it will be sold at 1,050 lakh kyats today may be its price will be 1,032 lakh kyats. According to the agreement between the sellers and the buyers, cars are being sold and bought between 1,500 lakh kyats and 2,000 lakh kyats." said a car market commentator.
About 100 SUZUKI Ertiga cars which are produced with the SKD system will soon enter the market and a lot of the cars could enter the market in early 2025, estimated car market analysts.

The prices of cars in the domestic market will not fall unless the car import policy is changed, according to car market sources.

CNI News
29 December 2024

Although some Chinese media covered that India was supporting the Arakan Army (AA), it was impossible, said military and political analysts from Myanmar.

The Indian government government and the Indian Army have extensive contacts with the Rakhine armed group, the AA, stated a Chinese media.

Because the data was incomplete and the probability was very low, it was impossible that India was supporting weapons to the AA, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

 
" Both China and India share borders with Myanmar. They might use the AA, the KIA and the MNDAA to create a proxy war if they want to. But the EAOs can change to various sides if there is another country which supports more. It's the nature of non-state actors. Creating a proxy war is very dangerous. There is a point to be considered how India will support a group that has already been declared a terrorist group or non-state actors. It's impossible that India is supporting weapons to the AA because the data is incomplete and the probability is very low. But this assessment may change if new information comes to light." he said.

While Mizoram State MP and the AA's regional leader were meeting

The AA has captured 13 townships in Rakhine State and it is now severely waging offensives to Gwa Town; there are Sittwe, Kyauk Phyu and Manaung only left to be captured, announced the AA.

Moreover, assessments - as the Kaladan Project passes Paletwa Township, Chin State as well as Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun Township, Rakhine State and ends in Sittwe, India has to talk with the AA - have emerged.

Although India might not support the AA politically and militarily, it could negotiate with organizations concerned so as not to damage its Kaladan Project, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" Chinese media said that India supports weapons to the AA. I don't know if they have any evidence, either. I don't think India supports the AA. But the Bangladeshi Foreign Affairs Officer said that Bangladesh won't talk with non-state actors the other day. The meaning of non-state actor is very important in politics. Because the AA is a group of non-state actors, India doesn't seem to support the AA. But it might negotiate with organizations or companies concerned so as not damage the Kaladan Project. India might contact the AA in some way." he said.

While seeing the Kaladan Project

It was impossible that India was supporting the AA; The India's foreign policy had prevented to do so, a senior official taking part in the peace process of Myanmar told CNI News.

The accusation that India was supporting the AA was only the misinformation and it was just a political propaganda, said the Indian diplomatic circles.

Mizoram MP Pu Valalvena and officials of the AA discussed the matter regarding building the road between Mizoram State, India and Paletwa, Chin State on the border of the two countries on 29th February 2024.

The meeting might be lower level negotiations regarding the Kaladan Project and sending the AA's wounded soldiers to India to receive medical treatment as well as the security for civilians on the border, considered military analysts.

CNI News
28 December 2024

If the Arakan Army (AA) had captured the whole Rakhine State, Muslim armed groups including the ARSA might seek refuge in Bangladesh, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, told CNI News.

The main enemy of Muslim armed groups was not the Myanmar Tatmadaw, but the AA, said a Muslim troop, which was stated in a news article published by Reuters in November.

" These groups are fighting against the AA because the military council instigated them. They have been organizations that have been on the sidelines since the beginning. So, if the AA has already captured the whole Rakhine State, they would have sought refuge in Bangladesh. They can't exist strongly." said U Than Soe Naing.

While seeing the ARSA

Muslim armed groups including the ARSA emerged gradually in the battles that resumed since 13th November 2023 between the AA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw. It had to be clearing Muslim armed groups, the ARSA, ARA the RSO which were being active around Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships, announced the AA in October 2024.

The RSO, the ARSA and the ARA have set foot strongly in the May Yu mountain ranges and they were committing arrests, killings, abduction for ransom and extortion, reported the AA.

These groups could emerge or disappear at any time and the organization behind the scene was the main, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

While seeing former Bangladeshi PM Sheik Hasina

" These armed groups can appear or disappear at any time. In fact, the organizations behind the scene are the main. When the Myanmar Tatmadaw is weak, the SA.C takes out and uses the groups that it can use. When I went underground to become a rebel in 1972, the Myanmar Tatmadaw contained mostly Chin and Rakhine people as well as Bamar people in the upcountry. The basic solid backbones were Chin and Rakhine people. But now that they are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw, the efficiency of the Myanmar Tatmadaw has declined. When the Chin and Rakhine which have had military capability since before fight patriotically, more effective, I think. But military isn't an answer. So, finding an answer through political means will arrive at last." he said.

Muslim armed groups which were fighting against the AA had recruited by the thousand from the refugee camps in Bangladesh, stated Reuters.

A powerful white country was making an attempt to build a new country, detaching some territories from both Bangladesh and Myanmar, said former Bangladeshi PM Sheik Hasina on 28th May 2024.

CNI News

28 December 2024

Those who shot U San Ngwe, administrator of Home Lan Buta Ward (Holm Street Station Ward), Sanchaung Township, Yangon Region had been arrested, reported the State Administration Council (SAC) on 26th December 2024.

U San Ngwe was shot while he was in his office on 24th December 2024 and those who shot him ran away. Zaw Zaw Bo (B) Tun Tun Aung and May Myat Thinza Kyaw who shot U San Ngwe were arrested in their home, Aung San Ward, Insein Township at 9:15 pm, on 24th December 2024 with a pistol and five bullets as well as a white taxi, said in the statement.

According to the testimony of those arrested, Kaw Zin Oo (B) Kyaung Sayar who was included in the shooting was arrested in Yay Dwin Gon Village, Htantabin Township with a pistol, 14 bullets and a grenade at 10:15 pm. And then, Sai Naung Htet (B) R Gyi who was included in the shooting was arrested in his home in No.3 Ward, Hlaing Thar Yar Township (East) with a pistol, 33 9mm bullets and two smoke bombs on 25th December, said in the statement.

Among those arrested, Kyaw Zin Oo, Kyaung Sayar, Zaw Zaw Bo and May Myat Thinza Kyaw were members of the Free Land Attack Force (FLA) which had 15 members and the leader is Ne Myo Nwe who lives in Maesot, Thailand.

Ne Myo New asked his members to shoot U San Ngwe on 22nd December and the FLA bombed Municipal Administration Offices including the Electrical Manager's Offices in Insein and Tamwe Townships. 

Moreover,  they exploded the CCTV box near the Min Dhama traffic lights on Thamine Street, Mayangone Township which those arrested said, reported the SAC.

CNI News

27 December 2024

Because of India's change of rice policy, despite the decline in world rice prices, it has not impacted on the Myanmar rice market, according to Myanmar rice traders.

Although India banned broken rice export in 2022 and a 20% tax was imposed on white rice exports, at present India has allowed rice exports.

Although India sold white rice at 490 dollars per ton in the past, it is currently selling white rice at 430 dollars per ton. 

As Myanmar has sold a lakh tons of rice  to Bangladesh with the G to G system, at present, because of the India's rice policy, it has not yet affected the Myanmar rice market, an official from the Myanmar Rice Traders Association told CNI News.

" I heard that India will reduce the price of rice when they sell it. The prices of export rice will fall in the world market. So, the prices of rice in the domestic market also could fall. And then, the exchange policy must be taken into account. We have sold 100,000 tons of rice to Bangladesh with the Government to Government trading system. But our rice market has not been hurt. The rice market will be going regularly until summer rice is produced. The amount of export rice is almost the same as previous years." he said.

While seeing a rice shop

Due to the change of the India's rice policy, the prices of rice fell by 10 percent in the world market. 

The prices of Myanmar export rice also could fall. So, it is necessary to lay down proper policies regarding the export rice.

It was necessary to control the market by trading through the G to G system, U Than Aung, a rice trader, told CNI News.

" The Myanmar rice market isn't hurt so much at present. But later, if we haven't sold rice anymore, the market may cool down a bit. If we have sold rice to Bangladesh through the G to G system, the market will be going regularly. The market has been controlled." he said.

It was necessary for Myanmar to expand its rice market to some African and Mideast countries with less Indian influence, suggested market analysts.

Myanmar is the eighth most rice exporter among the ten most rice exporters in 2023-2024 and it exported 1.8 million tons of rice.

CNI News

27 December 2024

If battles broke out in Ayeyarwady Region, the largest producer of rice, famine could surely occur, those who do business of agriculture and market advisors told CNI News. 

The Arakan Army (AA) was able to capture Ann Town and is waging battles against the Myanmar Tatmadaw to take over Gwa Town.

So, the AA could expand its war fronts from Ann to Magway Region as well as from Gwa to Ayeyarwady Region, pointed out military and political analysts. 

If battles spread to Ayeyarwady Region, it would not be easy for other agricultural regions to sufficiently distribute food to the entire country, said a farmer to CNI News.

While seeing Ayeyarwady Region

" Farmers in Sagaing Region are fleeing to safety due to the battles and they can't grow regularly. So, domestic food security is being threatened. If the battles spread to Ayeyarwady Region, the same situation will emerge. And then, It's more likely to experience famine if the battles from Rakhine State to Ayeyarwady Region, the largest producer of rice. Paddy is grown in Pyinmana, Tatkon and around them as well as Shwebo in Sagaing Region. Yangon and Bago Regions grow more pulses and so does Monywa." he said.

Farmers in Sagaing Region where agricultural industry is mainly conducted have not been able to grow for over three years due to territorial instabilities. 

So, the people have to depend mainly on the rice produced in Ayeyarwady Region. 

While seeing a rice warehouse

Although they said that there was enough reserve rice, it could not be eaten for many years, Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and business advisor, told CNI News.

" They always say they have enough reserve rice, according to the Myanmar Rice federation and officials concerned. But it can be eaten for a period of, I think, six months only. I heard not long ago that exporting rice is suspended and domestic food security will be given priority. This is likely because there is a need for rice reserves, I think. If the production of rice is no more, the people will get into trouble." he said.

Ayeyarwady Region produces 0.37 lakh baskets of rainfed paddy and over 13 lakh baskets of summer paddy from which over 4,000 lakh baskets of paddy are produced.

CNI News

27 December 2024

Activities that penetrate the Ayeyarwady Delta might become front lines there in 2025, pointed out military and political analysts. 

The Yaw Army (YA) would collaborate with its allies and speed up their military activities, it announced on 24th December, 2024. 

The YA has been waging battles together with its allies including the AA and Chin Brother armed groups staring from the battle for the capture of Matupi Town, it said.

It could be considered as a beginning for the liberation of Yaw and Saw regions in Magway Region, and military activities that would generate the Ayeyarwady delta After the Gwa Town battles could become front lines in 2025, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator told CNI News.

While seeing the Yaw Army

" If you go down the Ann-Padan road, you can reach Magway Region. That the AA has seized control of the Myanmar Tatmadaw's military command in Ann can cause revolutionary movements and is the beginning for the liberation of Yaw and Saw regions, I think. The movements in these regions will become Operatioin-1027 of the Spring Revolution, which we welcome. Lots of battles might break out in Magway Region. On the other hand, after the Gwa battles, the next battleground might be the delta region. Now Tve heard that underground PDFs have made preparations. So, military activities that will penetrate the delta region might become the front of 2025." he said.

Speeding up military activities might obviously emerge before 20th January and the AA might go to the allies' regions to conduct joint operation, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

While seeing the delta region (Frontier Myanmar)

" Speeding up military activities by revolutionary forces including the AA might emerge before 20th January 2025 because the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 20, 2025. Before that period, according to the Burma Act of the US, how much the National Defense Authorization Act support money to the revolutionary groups for non-weapon aid and CSOs. So, they need to show how they implement. I'm not sure whether the AA alone waged battles or with forces from northern Shan State or PDFs and drone technologists from the mainland in the Rakhine State battleground. If the mainland PDFs and drone technologists were included, the AA also could be included in the PDFs' operation in the upcountry." he said.

Military activities could speed up in Magway and Ayeyarwady Regions and lots of revolutionary forces could take part in the battles against the Myanmar Tatmadaw, considered military and political analysts.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw reportedly has deployed military columns in Taung Zauk where the Chinese Oil Control Station is located, 20 miles away from Ann Town to regain control of its West Command which has been captured by the AA.

CNI News

26 December 2024

Informal meetings could continue in 2025 and NCA signatories could become more important, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

At present, as informal meetings have been between non-NCA signatories and China or the SAC, the role of NCA signatories could be more important in 2025, he said.

"The uniqueness of 2025 is the election. Before the election, informal meetings have started between non-NCA signatories and the SAC or China. The role of NCA signatories will become more important, I think. There are armed groups that are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw without signing the NCA as well as armed groups that are fighting against the SAC only after signing the NCA. At present, there have been informal meetings between non-NCA signatories and the SAC. Armed groups that are fighting against the SAC again after signing the NCA such as the KNU and the CNF could conduct informal meetings at the second stage, I think. Informal meetings can emerge in China, India and Thailand in 2025, I think." said Col. Khun Okkar.

China discussed with three northern armed groups (TNLA, MNDAA, AA) that haven't signed the NCA in December while the SAC discussed with the MNDAA. 

While the anniversary celebration of the NCA was being held

There were arguments regarding whether the NCA was void or not after 2021.

Finding an answer to the current political crisis with all-inclusive political dialogues was the best, spokesperson of the 7 EAO Alliance that have signed the NCA, Col. Saw Kyaw Nyunt told CNI News.

" These problems, difficulties and crises emerged from the political problems. It's necessary to build a new political culture that finds an answer through political means without solving the political problems through military means so that we can start talking amidst various difficulties. That the discussion was able to be conducted is a first good step. There were arguments regarding whether the NCA was void or not after 2021." he said.

There were 10 NCA signatories and peace talks were held for many years in the name of the Peace Process Steering Team.

However, there were disagreements among the NCA signatories after 2021 and the KNU, the CNF and the ABSDF said that the NCA had been void and decided to fight against the SAC.

CNI News
25 December 2024

The Revolutionary groups have not yet reached the stage of taking over central Myanmar kind of, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

As battles were coming soon on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, the People's Defense Force in the Natogyi region warned the people not to travel unless necessary on 23rd December 2024.

As the revolutionary groups, the ability to attack and capture the central region of Myanmar was at a very high level. They don't seem to reach that stage yet, said Col. Khun Okkar.

" There has been an increase in the number of revolutionary groups and weapons are also scattered. Some of the revolutionary forces managed to reach the highway in a hurry because the expressway is very long. But as the revolutionary groups, the ability to attack and capture the central region of Myanmar is at a very high level. As that stage was reached only in the World War, I'm not sure the civil war has reached that stage. I don't think they have reached that stage." he said.

While seeing some PDF troops on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway

On 23rd December 2024, a video file in which No. (4-10) Battalion of the Natogyi PDF was warning the passengers on some buses on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, emerged. The PDf told the passengers not to travel without necessity.

Political demands must be conducted through political means only, but not through armed means. Any society would not accept the armed terrorist acts and all of them needed to oppose it, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the Christmas Thanksgiving Ceremony on 22nd December 2024.

Battles could break out in small towns only and they could not reach the cities; commodities could be blocked by cutting out the transportation, U Kyi Myint, a political commentator, told CNI News.

" Battles can't reach the cities, but can break out in small towns. Revolutionary forces can threaten freight transportation. They can block commodities by cutting out transportation." he said.

If armed conflicts broke out on the expressway, public transportation, the flow of goods, travelling for health and social reasons could be suspended, pointed out political commentators.

Battles are severely breaking out across the country and there are over four million IDPs in Myanmar, according to the office of UNHCR on 2nd December 2024.