CNI News

10 September 2024

Malaysian businessmen and agencies have demanded the Malaysian Immigration to re-open the RTK 2.0 (RTK 2.0 stands for the Labour Recalibration Programme 2.0, a program in Malaysia that allows employers to legally employ foreign workers) Myanmar people in Malaysia told CNI News. 

It is the second time to demand because anything was not responded to the first demand; however, the immigration department has not responded anything yet, U Barbu Gyi, who helps to solve the issues of Myanmar citizens, told CNI News.

" RTK has the limited population. Because the department thought that the number of workers has been enough in the list released, the RTK 2.0 had been closed, I think. The number of workers has been limited since the start of RTK 2.0. But everyone can register in the RTK 2.0. And then, those who had broken the law are rejected. Since the start of RTK 2.0, the number of foreign workers had been released to apply in a company or a factory. But Myanmar agents accept every one who wants to apply. So, the number of workers rejected was so many ones." he said.

Although the Malaysian authorities has not responded anything to second time demand, brokers and agents have started working. So, Myanmar workers should inquire before applying for the RTK 2.0, suggested Myanmar people in Malaysia. 

While seeing a Malaysian immigration office

Moreover, because the Malaysian citizens complained, foreign migrant workers were arrested and documented workers only were hired. 

So, foreign workers faced scarcity of jobs. However, because the Malaysian citizens did not work pretty well, foreign workers had to be hired again. So, it is a bit convenient for foreign workers to get jobs, U Aung, chairman of Yadana Sekka Funeral Service, told CNI News.

" I've heard the authorities are discussing. But they haven't released an announcement. It was very difficult for foreign workers from February to June this year. But after July, it was convenient again because many foreign workers had gone back to their native countries. Moreover, the Malaysian citizens were able to work for a few months. So, foreign workers got the jobs the Malaysian citizens didn't want to. The Malaysian government took action in accordance with the demand of the Malaysian people. But the Malaysian people couldn't work effectively. So, foreign workers had to be hired again. The Malaysian PM Anwar seems to tell his citizens so. Later, the Malaysian citizens have complained just a little." he said.

When a passport is applied in Malaysia at present, it has reportedly been costlier than before. Moreover, because those who want to go abroad have been restricted, there has been an increase in the number of workers who enter Malaysia from Thailand.

CNI News

6 September 2024

Restriction of people at the border gates could benefit the illegal market more and prices could rise, those who help in the issues of migrant workers and philanthropic associations told CNI News.

Not only were those who would go abroad by flight restricted, if those who would go abroad through border gates were also restricted, more people would lead to illegal channel;  restriction like that was not an answer, In charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), U Min Oo told CNI News.

" It's not an answer at all. It's because of a wrong management. Without considering the situations taking place in other countries, because restrictions are conducted, the people are suffering difficulties. The people are pushed towards illegal channels. Those who would go abroad with PJ and PV were gradually tightened to leave only if they had OWIC and smart cards. And then, they are left with border pass alone. If this is restricted, people will leave the country through illegal channels. If that's so, brokerages will go up by double or three times." he said.

At a Myawaddy border gate, a Thai-Myanmar border gate, the Myanmar side has allowed border pass book holders and MoU workers only to pass and PV holders have been banned, according to local philanthropic associations.

Moreover, those who will enter Thailand with a border pass have to guarantee that they will come back, an official from Alinthit philanthropic association told CNI News.

While seeing a Myanmar-Thailand border gate

" As the border pass has allowed people to stay in Thailand, border pass holders can enter and exit regularly. Those who have PVs and passports have been banned from leaving the country. Border pass holders must guarantee that they will come back. For example, if they go by car, the car owner has to guarantee that the passengers will come back to Myanmar." he said.

The news came out that men between 18 and 35 who have held border pass books had been banned from leaving the country at Kawthaung-Ranong border gate for a few days. But they can go and come regularly now.

Although CNI News contacted the immigration office by phone to know more about it, it was not able to get in touch with the office. Restriction of border gates can make those who will go on business or for medical treatment more difficult, pointed out people.

CNI News

6 September 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, went to Loikaw in Kayah State and Sesai and Taunggyi in southern Shan State where battles broke out severely between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and opposition armed groups and there are military tensions, reported the SAC on 4th September 2024.

He discussed with officials concerned about the matters relating to territorial peace and stability that were being carried out as well as supervised and instructed reconstruction tasks of Sesai and Loikaw that were damaged by battles.

Because the Karen National Defense Force (KNDF) and local PDF waged the battles to capture Loikaw City, battles broke out severely between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and joint forces.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was in Sesai Town

Moreover, because the KNDF and the PDF attacked Sesai to capture it, battles severely broke out between the KNDF/the PDF joint forces and the Myanmar Tatmadaw/the Pa-O militia (PNO).

Because of these battles, towns were damaged and it is necessary to reconstruct them. 

At present, there are military tensions between the Myanmar Tatmadaw/the PNO and the KNDF/the PDF.

CNI News

5 September 2024

There are some questions among the public and political analysts about the security condition in Mandalay where it was attacked by shock missiles. 

Opposition forces attacked the Central Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Mandalay with 10 shock missiles at about 4:00 am, they stated.

7 shock missiles were successfully shot and the Tatmadaw's soldiers suffered casualties, released the opposition forces and the State Administration Council did not release anything about it. 

Attacking Mandalay by shock missiles worried the public and made the city unstable. In this way, opposition forces tried to win the military advantage, director of the Institute for Thayninga Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

" The peace and stability of a town or city depend on the people who are living in the town. Attacking the town by shock missiles makes the people there scared at least. In some way, the people might flee to safety. The opposition forces tried to win the military advantage by making the town unstable." he said.

While the U Bein Bridge in Mandalay

During the attack, some shock missiles fell onto the residential area and some people and houses were damaged. 

After rumor has it that battles could break out in Mandalay, many residents of the city are moving to Naypyidaw, Yangon and other regions in advance to avoid battles.

If battles were waged to capture Mandalay, the PDF troops probably would lead the battles, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

 " The PDF forces will lead the military operation this time. As the rest groups were announced as terrorist groups, it's no wonder if they take part in the battles to capture Mandalay with the PDF." he said.

During the second wave of Operation-1027 launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, battles broke out in the towns, northern Shan State as well as in Mogok, Sintku, Madaya and Thabeikkyin in Mandalay Region.

At present, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the PSLF/TNLA joint forces in Taungkhan near Pyin Oo Lwin.

CNI News

5 September 2024

Although the Central Bank of Myanmar tends to sell out foreign currencies when the commodity prices go up because of a lack of foreign currencies, it can cure in the short term only; businessmen are asking the question 'up to what time will the Central Bank be able to sell out foreign currencies?'

At present, rather than making the Myanmar economy look up, priority must be mainly given to curing; because the State Administration Council has announced that it will hold a general election, political parties should explain to the public about economic policies, U Aung Pyit Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

" The government should reduce the short term cure regarding foreign currencies. Our country currently doesn't have a good economic situation in which everyone is struggling. So, there are lots of difficulties left with us to re-cure the country's economy. What policies will the current government use to re-cure the country's economy? What policies will a government which will come to power beyond the election use to re-cure the economy? Large political parties should explain their policies to the public. Only if the people know them in advance, will they make preparations for what they should." he said.

While seeing dollars

The Central Bank could sell out foreign currencies to an extent; foreign currencies could be got from foreign investments and international loans and the government should invite foreign investments, pointed out businessmen.

However, due to unstable situations in the country at present, although it was quite difficult to make foreign investments enter the country, the government should have policies to tackle the problem, they suggested. 

it was necessary to think about the main subject thoroughly and carry out. If the government goes on like this for long, it would be worn down gradually, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

While seeing a greengrocer

" Mainly, it's necessary to make the economic atmosphere good. Some issues can be automatically resolved if the economic and the political atmospheres are good. It's necessary to think about the main course thoroughly. In macroeconomy, one area is related to another and one place is related to another. If you can't think about the main economic system, one problem or another will emerge. We want those concerned to resolve the problem successfully. Otherwise, the country will be worn down gradually." he said.

Because the commodity prices were going up while there had been an increase in the demand of foreign currencies, a police had been laid down to maintain the use of foreign currencies; only if the economy was good, would the politics be good; so every citizen was responsible to make the country's economy good, said chairman of the SAC in the meeting held in Yangon on 1st September 2024.

CNI News

5 September 2024

Authorities concerned must carefully carry out so as not to enable armed groups that entered towns and villages by force and were staying in those places to use the local people, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above while he was meeting with members of Shan State as well as state and district level departmental officials on 3rd September 2024.

Some EAOs took advantage of political crises taking place in the country and were trying to expand territories; because of their terrorist acts, local people had to flee to safety after leaving their houses and properties, he said.

While seeing the MNDAA force

" Armed groups are using houses of the people and civilian administrative facilities to defend the Tatmadaw's counter-offensives and persuading those who temporarily displaced to come back so that they can use the people as human shields. Moreover, they are recruiting by force. The Tatmadaw will have to protect the sovereignty of the State without fail and respond in accordance with the necessity, depending on receiving information and all situations. So, local people in the places where armed groups are staying by force need to be careful to ensure that the people are not used by the armed groups and to be safe." said chairman of the SAC.

The State and the Tatmadaw are making efforts so as to regain the peace and stability throughout the country as soon as possible, he said. 

The Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February 2021, saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute and took the power.

While seeing the TNLA force

After that, leaders of the NLD and the NLD members of the Hluttaw led and formed the National Unity Government (NUG) and the People's Defense Force and then in collaboration with the KIA, the AA, the TNLA, the MNDAA, the KNU, the KNPP, and the CNF, the NUG/the PDF is carrying out to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

At present, battles are severely breaking out throughout the country between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups. 

Because of battles, the number of IDPs has been over one million and houses, buildings, state-owned offices and schools are being damaged.

CNI News

4 September 2024

As most Thai businesses are depending on Myanmar workers, every one is monitoring from which businesses Myanmar workers are making money for Thailand. 

Myanmar workers outnumber the workers from other countries in most of the businesses in Thailand; Myanmar workers are mainly working in export industry, aqua product industry and construction.

Moreover, the Thai authorities are getting money by arresting Myanmar migrants and from unscrupulous collaboration with brokers in providing service for legal documents, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs of the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

" The Thai authorities are getting money even without much corruption. All the migrant workers have to depend on brokers when they apply for legal documents. The workers can't do anything about legal documents. If they hire brokers, they don't have to understand all about this. So, the government departments and brokers are unscrupulously collaborating to get money kind of." he said.

Moreover, because rich Myanmar people are buying condos, visas and other services, the Thai authorities are earning income.

Although the Thai authorities pay migrant workers for social security, deaths and injuries, there are only a small amount. 

While seeing a condo showroom in Thailand

Moreover, a migrant worker doesn't enjoy its right fully in the workplace, said those who carrying out for migrant workers' right.

The Thai authorities are trying to exploit migrant workers without carrying out anything for the benefit of migrant workers, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Right Foundation (LRF) told CNI News.

" The authorities are weak in repaying the migrant workers. They are mainly interested in improving productivity and gaining a lot of profits from exporting to other countries. They don't take into account how to provide the best service to Myanmar migrant workers. They ask migrant workers for money for residence permit and  work permit." he said.

Although the Thai authorities has stated that they would issue Thai pink cards to undocumented migrant workers, anything exact about it has not been released up to now.

Moreover, the Thai authorities are arresting undocumented migrant workers with a 120 day plan and over 100,000 Myanmar migrant workers reportedly have been arrested.

CNI News

4 September  2024

Military and political analysts are variously reviewing in relation to what will happen next after the Three Brotherhood - the Arakan Army (AA), the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) are announced as terrorist organizations. 

The TNLA and the MNDAA are destroying the public security, lives and properties of the people, important infrastructure, state-owned buildings, road and bridges. 

So, using the authority that are included in sub-section 4 and 6 of Section.6 of the anti-terrorism law, they are announced as terrorist organizations, stated the anti-terrorism center on 2nd September 2024.

Although the announcement was released, there was no reason why battles would break out more severely and battles had reached the mainland area, U Myo Kyaw from the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) told CNI News.

" We can estimate whether the Tatmadaw can do more. How much military strength does it have? The war is not breaking out in the same place. Now battles are leading to even Naypyidaw rather than middle part of the country when it could threaten. Since before, it was bombing and shooting with heavy weapons all out. It won't make any difference, I think." he said.

Moreover, lifting the announcement of the AA as an terrorist organization was cancelled under sub-section (e) and (b) of Section.6 of the anti-terrorism law, stated the center for anti-terrorism on 2nd September 2024.

While the SAC releases the announcement as terrorist groups

Because rival groups could respond to the announcement as terrorist organizations, it would be worrisome for the people, a resident of Sittwe told CNI News.

" In my opinion, battles will break out more. Although the curfew has been released after 9:00 pm in Sittwe, we have been hearing cracks of guns since about 7:00 pm. We are worried. We are scared. We are not sure that the AA troops are here in Sittwe. Because the Tatmadaw government is surely in the city, we are afraid of the government. I doesn't dare to go to the clinic when it's about 9:00 pm even I'm ill. They will arrest me although I say I come back from the clinic. We have no authority. They announce the AA and its two allies as terrorist organizations. The other side will respond as well. So, there could be a lot of worries for the people." she said.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance launched Operation-1027 on 27th October 2023 and battles broke out severely in northern Shan State and Rakhine State. 

However, because of the China's mediation, Haigen Agreement was reached between the two sides and the ceasefire was conducted. However, battles resumed between the two sides in the end of June, 2024.

Because the State Administration Council has announced the AA, the MNDAA and the TNLA as terrorist organizations, one or any organization that provided them with arms and ammunition or one or organizations that provide them with refuge or food will be taken action against under the anti-terrorism law.

Because the Myanmar Tatmadaw has warned individuals or organizations that are supporting the AA, the MNDAA and the TNLA, the Myanmar Tatmadaw could put military pressure on them, reviewed military analysts.

CNI News

4 September 2024

There are discussions about how the State Administration Council (SAC) will make up for the closure of border trade camps among businessmen and economic analysts. 

As the SAC get not only the tax from border trade camps for the country but also foreign currencies, the country loses gaining foreign currencies. 

However, traders are illegally If the border trade activities were conducted after trade camps were built in other places, it would be so difficult; so legal border trade could be restarted only when territorial stability has been carried out first, U Aung Pyit Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

" Even if a small border trade camp is built, it is necessary to have government departments such as commerce, custom, police force and general administration there. But it's not easy to build such a small border camp if there is no territorial stability. If there is no stability, the country will be tax losses. Only if there is territorial stability, will the border trade be restarted. Illegal trade won't bring any benefits for the country." he said.

While seeing the Muse 105 Mile trade zone

Although Myanmar is earning foreign currencies from imports and exports, because the policies on import and export have been tightened, it is not convenient for importers and exporters.

If the government wanted import and export industries to facilitate, it would need to relax in some parts, an economic analyst told CNI News.

" At present, normal trade is being carried out. If the government wants to conduct the trade quickly, it needs to relax many things especially in export because it can get a lot of foreign currencies on if it can export a lot. 25 percent of export earnings must be exchanged at the price designated up to now. Next, whenever export is conducted, it is necessary to have a license. License is needed for both import and export. But the government wants export to conduct quickly, it should relax things it can." he said.

The SAC has instructed traders to start the barter system between the trading partners to reduce the foreign currency demand, according to traders.

While preparations are being made to export rice

However, the barter system is so out of date that no country uses it anymore, reviewed people.

" In my opinion, it's not easy to use the barter system for the time being. The barter system arose before the currency unit was invented. Because it was difficult to define a unit, a currency system arose. The currency system must center the technique. Then, how will the technique be centered? Ways and means are not convenient in the modern times." said U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert.

If the barter system was used, trade would be reduced and because there will be a wide gap between the products that trading partner countries want to import and the products that Myanmar wants to export, it will be difficult. 

At last, the people will suffer the trading difficulties.