CNI News

10 August 2024

If some Myanmar people who took permits through agents were arrested, they were not released and were sent back to Myanmar, those who are helping in the issues of Myanmar citizens told CNI News. 

Although the Malaysian authorities issue the permits to the workers who have employers, those who don't have employers make permits through agents.

When those who have taken permits through agents were arrested, because the places described in the permits were different from their workplaces, they were not released and only sent them back to their native countries, U Barbu Gyi, a person who is helping in the issues of Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, told CNI News.

" The workers who took permits through their employers have no problem while those who took permits through agents are facing many problems now. Since the permits were issued, the Malaysian government has allowed application through employers, but not through agents. But some workers takes permits through agents. Now, some agents have problems. Some workers who applied for permits have lost passport books and money. When the workers whose permits were taken through agents were arrested, because their permits are different from their workplaces, some Myanmar workers were sent back to Myanmar." he said.

While Malaysian authorities arrest and bring illegal workers

The Malaysian authorities are reportedly searching and arresting everywhere everyday. Malaysian citizens are supporting arrests by immigration department because there are so many undocumented foreigners in Malaysia.

" There are so many arrests. The Malaysian authorities are investigating at the places where most foreigners are working in mufti. They have recorded through video and photos. When they are sure where undocumented foreigners are, they check and arrest. The authorities arrest undocumented foreigners at some places in mufti. The Malaysian people are supporting these arrests." he said.

A few days ago, officials from Malaysian immigration departments met with Myanmar ambassador and discussed matters relating to sending Myanmar people in the detainee camps back to Myanmar and the detainees' social and healthcare issues, stated the embassy.

That the Malaysian immigration officers went and met with the Myanmar ambassador was possibly because the number of Myanmar citizens who have arrived in the detainee camps was so many.

CNI News

9 August 2024

Political and military analysts are reviewing and discussing about the question whether there is a possibility of disintegration of Myanmar after Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council said that citizens needed to be united to make Myanmar perpetuate. 

World affairs were so complicated that everyone of them must be united to make Myanmar perpetuate and as long as the Tatmadaw and the people existed, Myanmar would exist, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in his speech delivered on the 5th of August, 2024.

" Our people were able to successfully resist foreign invaders and various domestic insurgents that arose through the ages together with the Myanmar Tatmadaw. The people and the people were able to face and overcome internal and external threats. What the people should be careful is that the current world affairs are so complicated that we all need to be united so that Myanmar can perpetuate as long as the world exists. We can only face threats with unity. Our people need to support the Myanmar Tatmadaw so that a just war led by the Myanmar Tatmadaw which sacrificed their lives and sweats through successive ages can win the war. As long as the Tatmadaw and patriotist people exist, Myanmar will exist. We'll carry out to make the country perpetuate." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing the MNDAA force

Battles are widely breaking out across the country because of political disagreements that started on the first of February, 2021 and battles are taking place in the mainland where there were no battles in the past. 

These situations arose because of the strength competition between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and opposition elements, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,TNLA,MNDAA) attacked and captured most towns in northern Shan State during Operation-1027. And then, drones, drop bombs and shock missiles the TNLA and the MNDAA are using have been technologically upgraded; they have obtained technological support from mercenaries, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in his speech on 5th August. 

He could not comment on whether the country would be disintegrated, but the country was in a state of disorder, Mahn Pyi Aung Soe, chairman of the Karen National Democratic Party, told CNI News.

While seeing the TNLA force

" I can't say exactly whether the country will be disintegrated or not. But it's true that the country is in a state of disorder now." he said.

It was necessary to reform some issues of the Myanmar Tatmadaw. Otherwise, the country could be disintegrated, said a political commentator.

" There has been a situation in which the country could be disintegrated. Frankly speaking, it's all because of leadership. What should have done were not done. And military officials from upper level are committing bribery in a big way. So, soldiers from other ranks lost trust in top military officials. If that condition was reformed, it would be convenient." he said.

Various EAOs and armed organizations are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw to win their different goals such as establishment of federal union or a democracy or confederation.

There are no more secession or declaration of independence in modern times and it would be convenient if stakeholders met and compromise, said a political commentator.

While seeing Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing, leader of the AA

Because EAOs might have considerations beyond federalism in 2025, a federal union should be established as soon as possible, said Maj-Gen Gun Maw, vice chairman of the KIA when he met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in 2018.

Moreover, secretary of the TNLA Tar Bone Kyaw urged its ethnic people on 18th August, 2022 that Palaung people must get ready if they had to establish a country of their own in future.

They must start governing at the territories they have controlled with the self-administered system of the self-determination, said General Yawd Serk, chairman of the RCSS at the meeting of the seven NCA signatories held from 17th to 19th March, 2024.

Moreover, they would establish Rakhine State to be a state that was not lower than confederation status after waging battles, said Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing, Commander in Chief of the Arakan Army.

CNI News

9 August 2024

Chinese Special Envoy Mr.Deng Xijun and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) discussed matters relating to Myanmar's domestic peace and border stability in Naypyidaw on 8th August. 

Although the SAC released the meeting like that with the video record in the past, this time photos only were released. So, it was tantamount to the SAC's disliking China, pointed out the political analysts.

However, during the bilateral meeting, matters relating to the peace of Myanmar, border area stability, online gambling, online scams, elimination of illegal businesses and bilateral cooperation were discussed, reported the SAC.

Moreover, preparations for a free and fair multi-party democratic general to be held were reportedly discussed as well. Joint forces from the TNLA, the MNDAA, the BPLA, the PLA, the DPLA and local PDFs attacked and captured the Northeast Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Lashio City, Lashio City, Kyaukme and Nawnghkio, northern Shan State as well as Madaya, Sintku, Momeik and Mogok, Mandalay Region during the second part of Operation-1027.

While the MNDAA captured the Northeast Command

Domestic military and political analysts have believed that China is supporting Operation-1027 behind the scenes. So, diplomatic relations between the SAC and China were bumpy, they pointed out. 

Although the sixth Haigen discussion was planned to hold on 31st July in order to cease fire between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the TNLA, the AA, and the MNDAA, as the Myanmar Tatmadaw replied that it would not be able to attend, the discussion had to be cancelled.

And then, although the sixth Haigen discussion was planned to hold on 8th August again, the Myanmar Tatmadaw replied that it would not be able to attend. So, the 6th Haigen discussion has not been able to be held as yet.

On the other hand, joint forces from the TNLA, the MNDAA and the PDF are reportedly making military preparations to attack Pyin Oo Lwin and Mandalay City. After that, Chinese Specialist Envoy Mr.Deng Xijun arrived in Myanmar suddenly and discussed with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC.

CNI News

9 August, 2024

Myanmar Ambassador and officials from Malaysian Immigration Department met and discussed the issues in relation to sending back Myanmar people who were detained and their social and healthcare issues, stated the Myanmar Embassy. 

The Malaysian immigration met and discussed with Myanmar Ambassador because there were possibly so many Myanmar citizens in the detainee camps, director general of the Center for Arakan Refugees (CAR) U Nyi Nyi Lwin told CNI News.

" As there are so many Myanmar people in the detainee camps, many of them are suffering various deceases. " The activities of the embassy are totally different from the past.  Firstly, it works slowly. Secondly, it can't solve many problems or it can't help. Another thing, Malaysian immigration arrested and imprisoned many Myanmar citizens. There are many Myanmar people who will be sent back to Myanmar. Myanmar citizens are the second most except for Bangladesh. Immigration department alone can't solve the problem. So, they need the help of Myanmar Embassy. So, they went to the Myanmar Embassy to discuss the problem." he said.

While Myanmar workers were being checked

So many Myanmar citizens left for Thailand and Malaysia after political changes in Myanmar.

A lot of foreigners from many countries entered Malaysia and Thailand and Malaysia has become densely populated and jobs are also scarce. 

Because the Malaysian government wanted to reduce the number of foreigners, the Malaysian authorities arrested undocumented foreigners and asked them to go home after making them pay the fine until the end of this year without prosecuting them.

However, because the number of illegal workers who went back to their native countries, the arrests would go on, U Barbu Gyi, who is helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens told CNI News.

while migrant workers were being arrested

" Yesterday, I read a news story that was released by the Malaysian Government. The arrests will go on. The government has given a chance to illegal foreigners that they can go home after paying the fine without being prosecuted until the end of this month during which the arrests will go on. The Malaysian government seems to know how many illegal foreigners there are in Malaysia. The number of illegal foreigners who went back to their native countries has been fewer than the government's estimation. So, the authorities will go on arresting illegal foreigners." he said.

Although the Malaysian government has suspended calling recruits at all, there are still fake demand letters and recruitments by brokers and agents. Moreover, there hs been a sharp increase in the number of ethnic people who arrived in Malaysia to seek refugee status and the UNHCR has not provided any service to them yet.

CNI News

8 August 2024

While battles are severely breaking out in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region, Chinese Special Envoy Mr. 

Deng Xijun will reportedly come to Myanmar on 8th August, according to those close to the Chinese Embassy.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)/ the Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA) joint forces attacked and captured the Northeast Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Lashio, northern Shan State on 3rd August, 2024.

In the same way, the joint forces from the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF), and the Danu People's Liberation Army (DPLA) attacked and captured Kyaukme and Nawnghkio in northern Shan State as well as Mogok, Momeik, Madaya and Sintku in Mandalay Region.

 After that, China planned to hold the sixth Haigen Discussion between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,TNLA,MNDAA). 

However, the Myanmar Tatmadaw replied that it would not be able to attend the discussion that was planned to be held on 8th August. 

While the Myanmar Tatmadaw has replied that it would not be able to attend the discussion, China has planned to send its Special Envoy Mr.Deng Xijun to Myanmar, which was unusual, said a person close to the Chinese Embassy.

" The Chinese Special Envoy will arrive here tomorrow. The Haigen Meeting was held five times. Although the sixth Haigen meeting was planned to be held on 31st July, it was cancelled. And then, the sixth discussion was planned to be held on 8th August again. It's unusual that the Chinese Special Envoy will come to Myanmar on that day. People said that it's not the trip that was made preparations in advance.The three northern allies has asked China for help to make the SAC stop bombing. Overall, it's going to be a very special trip." he said.

The news that the MNDAA, the TNLA, the MDY-PDF, the PDF and the KIA are making preparations to launch offensives to Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin is coming out.

The Chinese Special Envoy last came to Myanmar on 18th June, 2024 and the TNLA, the MNDAA, the MDY-PDF and the BPLA started second part of Operation-1027 on 25th June, 2024 and they have been waging the second part of Operation-1027 up to now.

CNI News

8 August 2024

The Indian Government has approved the Myanmar eight banks to carry out payment by rupee and kyat and being able to pay like that cushions entrepreneurs, economic analysts told CNI News. 

Although Myanmar is carrying out trade payments through Singapore bank, international sanctions have imposed on Myanmar. 

Direct trade is better and if the payable system by rupee and kyat was successful, it would cushion entrepreneurs. But the problem of Myanmar was that exchange rate could not be controlled, an economic analyst told CNI News.

" The problem is that in Myanmar, exchange rate can't be controlled. No matter trade is done by rupee, or baht or yuan, if you pay by kyat, they don't want to receive it. But, after you exported goods, if you buy things with baht or yuan you had received, it would be OK. At any rate, the money obtained from trade is changed into dollars and then, trade. In comparison with that, the system that will be carried out now can reduce steps, risks and costs. So, it will cushions entrepreneurs." he said.

An India-Myanmar border gate

As the Myanmar side proposed 11 banks including Myanmar Economic Bank to carryout out payments by kyat and rupee, the Indian Government approved eight banks. 

They are UAB, CB, Global Treasure Bank, Yoma Bank, Ayeyarwady Farmers Development Bank, Myanmar Citizens Bank, Ayeyarwady Bank and Shwe Development Bank. 

These banks must use the Special Rupee Vostro Account to pay by rupee and kyat for the trade between Myanmar and India.

The Central Bank of Myanmar has released it would go on carrying out to make six remaining banks participate in the process. 

Although Indian rupee is not as widely used as the Chinese yuan, it is stronger than the Russian ruble; allowing like that was better, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

While seeing trucks

" That India accept Myanmar kyat is good. The announcement makes sense. There must be a contract in which the Indian Government must accept Myanmar kyat. Myanmar must accept rupee because all other currencies are stronger than Myanmar kyat. Indian rupee hasn't included in the common currencies in the world. But the Chinese yuan has included. It has taken even the place of Japan." he said.

Myanmar is exporting pulses and other commodities to India while India is exporting medicines and other commodities to Myanmar. 

The Reed Border Gate, No.2 India-Myanmar Border Gate has been temporarily closed by the Indian authorities because of the complaint that dried betels from the Myanmar side were being illegally imported.

CNI News

8 August 2024

It was necessary to produce refined palm oil from crude palm oil obtained from oil palm plantation in order to ensure enough edible oil consumption domestically, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

He said the above at the negotiation meeting about the improvement of agricultural and livestock industries that was held on 6th August, 2024.

Systematic performance was needed to meet the targeted oil crop production; it was necessary to encourage the farmers who plant oil crops; sunflower was a cost effective oil crop and if the crop could be successfully planted, it would benefit the country, said chairman of the State Administration Council.

While the people standing in line to buy edible oil

" It's necessary to expand growing sunflower year after year and the yield of oil palm has declined for various reasons; crude palm oil gained from oil palm cultivation is being used as industrial raw materials and it's necessary to produce refined edible oil more from crude palm oil; if more attempts were made to produce oil crops, it would help the domestic edible consumption." he said.

Moreover, main crops such as paddy, pea ,bean, cotton and oil crops must be grown more, he added. The SAC is trying to get enough fuel and edible oil as well as to control their prices.

Myanmar is often facing shortages of fuel and edible as well as higher prices. Myanmar Edible Oil Dealers Association is selling the people in a quota system.

CNI News
7 August 2024

Political and military analysts are reviewing and discussing whether battles breaking out until the border between northern Shan State and Mandalay Region could spread to Mandalay.

The second wave of Operation-1027 was launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,TNLA,MNDAA) in northern Shan State in the last week of June and battles reached Momeik, Mogok, Madaya and Sintku in Mandalay Region.

And then, many residents of Mandalay were worried that battles would reach Mandalay township and some of them fled to Naypyidaw and Yangon in advance.

Although the current battles could threaten Mandalay City, PDFs alone could find it difficult to capture Mandalay without the help of EAOs and the Haigen discussion must be watched, Col.Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) told CNI News.

While seeing the Mandalay PDF/the TNLA joint forces

" In my opinion, the current battles can threaten Mandalay. But we can't say whether Palaung, Kokang and Wa forces will come with PDF forces or not. But there are other Bamar forces as well. They might join the organizations that will attack Mandalay. But if EAOs didn't join, they alone could find it difficult to capture Mandalay City. Meanwhile,a certain discussion could suspend the battles for a short time. We have heard that there will be a discussion in Cunming, China. We are watching it. The situation won't get worse for the time being, I think." he said.

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee sent a letter describing that it wouldn't be able to attend the 6th Haigen Meeting with the Three Brotherhood Alliance that will be held on 8th August.

In the strength competition between the democratic elements and the military elements, the democratic elements want the revolutionary forces to capture Mandalay City quickly, U Kyi Myint, Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.

While seeing the office of the Mandalay City Development Committee

" In the strength competition between the democratic elements and the military elements, the democratic elements want the revolutionary force to capture Mandalay City as soon as possible by all means." he said.

The Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF) and the Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA) are included in the battles against the Myanmar Tatmadaw in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region.

Revolutionary forces could pretend to be really attacking Pyin Oo Lwin and they could mainly attack Mandalay City, a political commentator told CNI News.

" Battles can reach Mandalay. Revolutionary forces will mainly attack Mandalay. They will pretend to be really attacking Pyin Oo Lwin. PDF troops could wear uniforms of the MNDAA and the TNLA after which they could attack. China will support necessary arms and ammunition. So, they can attack with full strength." he said.

Battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces in Kyaukme and Nawnghkio, northern Shan State as well as in Mogok, Sintku and Madaya, Mandalay Region.

Armed opposition forces were gathering forces in order to attack Mandalay City, pointed out military analysts.

CNI News

7 August 2024

Because Myanmar MoU workers are allowed to return to their workplaces only when they can prove that they have already transferred money to their families in Myanmar, the MoU workers hardly come back to the Myanmar side on the border, overseas employment agencies told CNI News.

Myanmar workers working in Thailand with the MoU U-turn system who could show any evidence that they have already transferred 6,000 Baht equal to 25 percent of three month salaries to their families in Myanmar would be allowed to return to their workplaces, the directorate of labor has released.

" Myanmar MoU workers who went to Thailand with the U-turn system hardly come back. The number of workers we sent is about 30. They are finding it difficult to transfer money. Only if Myanmar labor officers on the Thai side provide service to make workers convenient, can the workers transfer money. If the officers don't accept this one or that one, the country can't get the tax. At present, Western Union Bank is being used. Although the prices of foreign currencies designated by the Myanmar government are much lower than the market prices, they will comply with the designation so that their livelihood will be convenient. But if there are difficulties, they can't transfer money." said U Win Myint, managing director of Lucky Overseas Employment.

Myanmar migrant workers who were applying for necessary documents at an immigration department in Thailand

When Myanmar MoU workers who went to Thailand with the U-turn system come back to the MoU U-turn camps in Myawady and Kawthaung to renew, only if they must show any evidence that they have officially transferred money equal to 6,000 Baht, 25 percent of there basic salaries to their families in Myanmar, they would be allowed to return to their workplaces in Thailand, the directorate of labor of the Myanmar government released on 30th July, 2024.

Because Myanmar workers whose MoUs have expired didn't come back to Myanmar, although they didn't want to pay, they have to compulsorily pay, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Rights Foundation (LRF) told CNI News.

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand

" When Myanmar migrant workers had to go to Thailand to work with the MoU U-turn system due to bad conditions of Myanmar, they can't overcome the strict policies of the Myanmar government. The workers can return to their workplaces in Thailand only if they can show any evidence that they have officially transferred 25 percent of their basic salary to their families and paid two percent of income tax. They know that they have to pay." he said.

Myanmar MoU workers have to get to the MoU U-turn camps on the Myanmar side before 12:30 pm to renew and documents describing that they have transferred money to their families must be prepared before coming to the U-turn camps to avoid unwanted delays, said in the statement.