CNI News

23 July 2024

The six month extension of the state of emergency by the State Administration Council (SAC) led by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing will have expired on 31st July, 2024 and so, there are some reviews among political circles regarding what changes the SAC might make. 

The state of emergency was extended for another six months at the meeting of the National Defense and Security Council that was held on 1st January, 2024.

Because the six month extension will expire on 31st July, 2024, there are reviews and discussions regarding whether the state of emergency will be extended for another six months or a transitional government will be formed.

The current Acting President U Myint Swe had to undergo some surgeries and continues to suffer from nervous weakness. So, after taking medical leave, he is receiving healthcare at home and his health condition has not improved. 

While seeing the National Defense and Security Council

Moreover, he has not been able to do daily routine movement including eating foods, stated the SAC.

It was impossible to predict what changes would be made by the SAC, but a big change could be made, Col.Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News.

" There are different opinions. Personally, I can't estimate, but a big change can be made." he said. 

Acting President U Myint Swe who is receiving medical treatment might be replaced with President (retired) U Thein Sein, review some people.

The state of emergency would be extended for another six months by the SAC so that census-taking could be conducted in October, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) told CNI News.

" Only if the state of emergency is extended for another six months, could the census-taking be conducted in October by the SAC. I'm just telling the necessity. Another six month extension will reach until 31st January, 2025. And then, only if any more of six months is extended, can we pass through the rainy season. Elections are likely to be held in November or December, 2025." he said.

After saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without resolving the ballot dispute in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February 2021 and has taken the State power after announcing the state of emergency.

According to the current situations, because it was necessary to continue to carry out the anti-terrorism and not a normal situation, Acting President allowed to extend another six months.

CNI News
19 July 2024

Because Acting President U Myint Swe's health condition has not improved, he is receiving close healthcare, the State Administration Council (SAC) reported on 18th July 2024.

Acting President U Myint Swe has suffered from slow movement and the ability to eat a small amount of food since early 2023.

So, he has received regular medical treatment from the medical team that contains specialists, said in the statement.

According to medical checkups, he was suffering from muscle twitch and nervous degeneration. So, he was sent to the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre in Singapore and he received brain and neurological examination and treatment from 15th to 19th April, 2024.

 After that  he received medical treatment at the No-2 Tatmadaw Hospital (1,000 Beds) from 27th May to 18th June, stated the SAC.

"During those periods, he received cataract surgical treatment and his vision improved. However, because he has been continuously suffering from nervous weakness disease, taking medical leave from 18th June to 30th July, he is receiving close healthcare from the special medical team” said in the statement.

Minister for Health Dr.Thet Khaing Win and a special medical team that contains eight specialists conducted a medical checkup on 30th June and on 14th July and found that his health had not improved.

Because he was not able to do daily normal movement including eating food, the SAC made arrangements to provide him with close healthcare everyday, stated the SAC.

U Myint Swe was Vice President (1) under the NLD government and after the NLD was overthrown on 1st February 2021, he became Acting President.

As the six month extension of the SAC for the state of emergency will expire on 31th July, 2024, it is interesting to know whether the SAC will allow U Myint Swe to retire or what to do next, the political circles are reviewing and discussing.

CNI News

19 July 2024

Calling workers with fake demand letters through illegal channels by agents and brokers has increased to send workers to Malaysia that has suspended calling migrant workers, Myanmar nationalities organizations told CNI News.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of financial fraud agents and brokers who exploit Myanmar workers facing crisis to work abroad with fake demand letters and the Malaysian government has not had a plan to call foreign workers up to now, U Nyi Nyi Lwin, Director General of the Center for Arakan Refugees, told CNI News.

" Because many Myanmar people want to work abroad, those who want to cheat have emerged. You can't go abroad to work officially with fake demand letters. Some demand letters use the name of a company, but when you arrive in Malaysia, you have to find a job yourself. In fact, there are hardly any factories in Malaysia that offer jobs. When the workers arrive in Malaysia, some get jobs and others don't. If you have a permit, it is easy for you to get a job. Now workers with no permits are not largely hired. In the past, if you had a UNHCR card or a community card or passport or nothing, you might be hired. Now the Immigration Department is conducting a lot of arrests." he said.

The Malaysian government has banned foreign workers to enter its country since the end of April and demand letters issuance processes have been suspended reportedly.

There are over 500 licensed overseas employment agencies in Myanmar, and brokers and agents are included in the agencies. Some agencies change the workers' passport for job (PJ) into passport for visit (PV) and are directly sending workers to Malaysia through Thailand reportedly.

Because the State Administration Council (SAC) has tightened leaving abroad at present, overseas employment agencies don't have to do a lot of work like in the past, U Win Myint, Managing Director of Lucky Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.

" There are people who send workers abroad. I don't know how they send. They might send workers to Malaysia through Bangkok. Because we are a licensed agency, we can't act like a broker. Only when we receive a genuine demand letter, can we send workers. Agencies try to send workers to China, but it's not easy because China has tightened its policies. Several workers leave for other countries. But most workers enter foreign countries through illegal channels. At present, workers go abroad with PV because PJ has an age limit to work abroad. Demand letters have been scarce." he said.

The Ministry of Labor is pushing agencies to ask workers who go abroad through agencies to transfer money to the families and income tax officially. 

The ministry has instructed agencies to submit personal information of the workers who were sent abroad between April and December, 2023 and there are almost 400 agencies who failed to submit, said in the statement by the ministry.

Asking for personal information is intended to tackle whether workers have transferred money to their families or not reportedly.

CNI News

19 July 2024

There are reviews and discussion among political circles regarding what the China's attitude towards the election that will be held by the State Administration Council (SAC). 

During the trip to China of Vice Chairman of the SAC Deputy Commander in Chief Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win who attended the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), he discussed with the Chinese officials in relation to holding the election.

 If the election was an answer to the peace of Myanmar, China would want Myanmar to hold the election, Mahn Pyi Aung Soe, chairman of the Karen National Democratic Party (KNDP), told CNI News.

" If the election was an answer to the peace of Myanmar, China would want Myanmar to hold the election. Generally, I would like to review so." he said.

However, due to armed conflicts taking place in the country, he was not sure to what extent the election could be held, he added. The election was a political exit for the SAC and China would take it into account, depending on its interests, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing U Thein Sein and Xi Jinping

" Whether the election will be really held or not is just a part. The reason why they (SAC) are talking about the election is that they want to say their coup d'état is just and fair. Saying that the NLD conducted vote defraud in the election, they said that they had to take power. And they have said that they would hand over the State power to the winning party after holding a general election. If the election is held, China is telling the SAC that important political elements including the NLD should be included in the election. It will be discussed, I think. I don't want anybody to hope so much the election that will be sponsored by the SAC even though China supports. China will carry out, depending on its interests." she said.

The SAC has said that it will conduct census-taking in October this year and a general election will be held in 2025. Elections would be held in the areas under the control of the SAC and if the percentage of votes designated were cast, the Hluttaw would be called, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" Elections will be held in the areas under the control of the SAC. If the number of votes designated were cast or if more than half of the seats necessary for the Hluttaw were won, the Hluttaw will be called." he said.

According to the 2008 Constitution, if the elections were be able to be held to get 25 percent of the seats, it could be added to 25 percent of the seats of the Tatmadaw, and then the Hluttaw would be able to be called. In this way, they wanted to overcome the political crisis, said political parties.

While seeing U Ko Ko Gyi, leader of the Peopl's Party (PP)

the news meaning that China will support the election that will be held by the military council and help out is spreading among the diplomatic community local and abroad.

Leaders of the four parties that have got the party registration issued by the Union Election Commission (UEC) - the People's Party (PP), the Arakan Front Party (AFP), the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) are to go to China this month.

On the other hand, Acting President of the National Unity Government (NUG) Duwa Lashila has said that the NUG would not recognize the election held by the SAC and it would destroy in order that the election could not be held.

CNI News

18 July 2024

Monetary inflation is getting worse than before and although it is necessary to make politics stable and arise a stable government, it might not be easy to emerge so at present, said economic and banking experts.

Because some private banks had some problems about housing loans a few days ago, the people were so worried that they withdrew a lot of their money from the banks. However, they could not withdraw as much as they need.

The occurrence of bank problems was because of a wrong economic system and as long as the system was correct, inflation and prices would not decrease, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

"It is not easy for banks to regain the public trust. Mainly because of a wrong economic system, bank problems emerged. If the banking system recovers, the public will believe in banks. If this keeps up, another bank problem can appear. There was one lakh kyats before in the system, but when prices go up, it's necessary to have three lakh kyats now. At any rate, bank notes have been printed out. It's called currency injection to the economic system. It re-invites inflation. It's a vicious circle. The main thing is that the economic system needs to recover. Economy is related to politics. If politics is not stable, economy is not stable as well. They tried to find an answer by authority, but not by knowledge." he said.

It would be anybody's guess when a stable government would emerge. The inflation would be re-controlled only when politics is stable and there are investments. Economy is directly proportional to politics, said economic and banking experts.

People waiting in line to withdraw money in front of the CB Bank during the Covid-19 pandemic (old picture)

The Central Bank of Myanmar released its ways to control the monetary inflation on 3rd May.

Although the Central Bank has increased deposits and loans of banks, the CBM has set the minimum reserve requirement ratio for banks in Myanmar Kyat from 3.5 percent to 3.75 percent in order to control the growth of the total money supply including domestic banknote circulation and to reduce inflation.

The increase in the average rate of interest paid on surplus reserve money from 3.6 percent to 3.8 percent has started since May, said the CBM.

Banks are operating only with the public deposits and if the people do not deposit their money at banks, it might be dangerous to banks, an economic analyst told CNI News.

" To tell the truth, It's dangerous. It would be convenient only if the economic system is good. Only if the economic system is good, as a result, will the import and export systems be good. Foreign direct investments will enter. As long as politics is not good, economy will be bad. The price of dollar goes up from 3,000 until 5,000 kyats. And the price of gold has got higher and higher as well. It's still not easy to better." he said.

At present, the people can easily withdraw their money from private banks.

ATM machines have been replenished with money, which private banks have announced. However, if someone wants to withdraw over 200 lakh kyats, they have to sign and withdraw after giving the reason why reportedly.

CNI News

18 July 2024

At the invitation of China, the four political parties that will go to China will discuss how to overcome the current political crisis of Myanmar with China, Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News. 

The political parties that have got party registration - the Arakan Front Party (AFP), the People's Party (PP) led by U Ko Ko Gyi, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP)- will go to China.

" We still don't know what the Deputy FM of the Chinese Communist Party will discuss. At any rate, the four political parties will discuss the current political crisis of Myanmar, I think. The current status of China's participation in the peace process and how to overcome the current political and military crises of Myanmar will be discussed. Only if we can overcome the crisis, all ethnic groups can enjoy their rights and love one another and be united. It's likely that China will discuss it based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence." said Dr. Aye Maung.

While seeing U Ko Ko Gyi and Sai Ai Pao

The Chinese Communist Party invited the parties to pay a seven day visit from 20th to 27th July to China. During the visit, the parties would study the situations regarding rural development in Yunnan Province and the Communist Party in the rural areas reportedly. 

The Chinese government had an attitude that peace must be achieved in Myanmar, said Dr. Aye Maung.

"We have some information that we would have considered if the Chinese side asked. We want to overcome the political crisis of Myanmar. The Chinese government has a strong assumption that peace must be made as soon as possible. If the trip can break through to overcome the crisis, we will be able to implement it to meet the need successfully." he said.

While the Chinese Communist Party Conference was being held

China invited the five parties to come to China on a study tour last year.

Leaders of the four political parties - the PP, the AFP, the SNLD and the USDP will go to China to visit there for one week from 21st to 27th July.

CNI News

17 July 2024

Although the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) have announced a unilateral ceasefire for four days, the battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the MNDAA/ the TNLA. 

Locals and military analysts are asking questions why it is happening like this.

After the MNDAA had announced that it would cease fire from 14th to 18th July, the TNLA would also cease fire for four days, secretary of the TNLA Tar Bone Kyaw told AFP.

While seeing Laukkai City has been bombed

The TNLA and the MNDAA have announced a unilateral ceasefire to welcome and honor the third meeting of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party that is held from 15th to 18th July.

However, they said that the ceasefire would not apply to the Mandalay Region. Although revolutionary forces had announced the ceasefire unilaterally, if the Myanmar Tatmadaw attacked them, they would fight for their regions, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" They seem to be able to cease fire at once. Although the ceasefire started on 14th July, the battles have been taking place until 16th July. I'm not sure whether the battles will break out or not tomorrow. Because China put pressure on them, the MNDAA and the TNLA might have announced the ceasefire to curry favor with China. But the ceasefire is unilateral. The military council doesn't announce the ceasefire. If the military council attacked by surprise, they would fight back for their region." she said.

While seeing the TNLA force

The Myanmar Tatmadaw attacked the military camp near Thae Khaw Village, Nawnghkio Township by drone on the night of 15th July and three times by heavy weapon as well, reported the TNLA.

" The MNDAA has ceased fire unilaterally. But the Myanmar Tatmadaw might not cease fire. It's not a mutual agreement. Shooting might continue." said a military analyst to CNI News.

Because the places where battles were currently breaking were important to the Myanmar Tatmadaw, battles might continue to take place, he added.

The TNLA, the MNDAA and MDY-PDF joint forces have been attacking the military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Momeik and Lashio, northern Shan State as well as in Mogok, Madaya and Sintku Townships since the last week of June. And then, battles have been severely breaking out between the two sides.

CNI News

17 July 2024

There are just too many rents in the real estate and apartment without purchase, real estate agents told CNI News. 

Sale prices of real estate and apartments have increased more than those two months ago and because those who invested in real estate and apartments have changed their investments to other businesses, there were just sales but no purchase, a real estate agent in Dala Town told CNI News.

"There are more rentals than sales. It's the same as downtown,too, because more and more households from various regions have entered Yangon. So, the rental market is better than the sale and purchase market. The real estate market in Dala mainly depends on the Dala Bridge over the river. But it will take several days to finish the construction of the bridge. Moreover, the price of Myanmar Kyat has decreased. Investors are more interested in the businesses where assets can be easily changed into cash such as transactions of dollars, gold and cars." he said.

Currently, there are just a few people who have bought real estate and apartments worth around 1,000 lakh kyats reportedly. Entrepreneurs who build and resell real estate have stopped their business due to higher prices of construction materials reportedly.

Although those who bought real estate before want to sell them at present, investors have turned to other businesses because there is no easy liquidity from the real estate industry, a real estate agent told CNI News.

" Those who want to buy real estate go buy in Thailand without buying in Myanmar. As there are many migrant workers in Tachileik, there are rents there. To the best of my knowledge, Myanmar investors largely buy real estate in Mae Sai, Thailand. There are just a few transactions with full documents in Myanmar. Because of territorial instabilities, investors don't buy so much. Supply is more than demand. The prices don't decrease because the price of Myanmar Kyat has declined. Investors who have bought real estate don't reduce the prices in the hope of a better market." he said.

There are only advance transactions of condo apartments and high rise flats while apartments and houses that have been built are scarcely sold reportedly.

Because of the above-mentioned situations, real estate transaction agents have changed to the rental market reportedly.

CNI News
13 July 2024

Because the permission to go abroad has been tightened, there might be more and more people who go abroad illegally to work.

So, wages could be reduced, those who are carrying out labor affairs told CNI News. As those who would go abroad to work have been more tightened, there are no alternatives but to choose illegal channels.

The number of illegal Myanmar workers is very large in Malaysia and due to the scarcity of jobs there, getting jobs is the main priority for them, rather than getting basic salaries reportedly.

If any more illegal workers reached, wages could be reduced, Hmwar Michael who lives in Malaysia told CNI News.

While seeing migrant workers

" When a lot of illegal workers enter, there are hardly any jobs. Moreover, employers used to pay workers for wages once a week, but they pay every 15 0r 20 days. They don't pay 1,500 Ringgit as a basic salary but factories are hiring workers at only 1,200 or 1,300 Ringgit per month. Because illegal workers have no jobs, they have to work with basic salaries that employers pay." he said.

When they have to work illegally, their rights including wages and labor rights could be violated.

However, employers were finding it difficult to recruit workers from Myanmar because of restrictions in Myanmar,, reviewed some people.

If employers could not hire legal workers, they would apply documents for illegal workers and hire them, U Min Oo, In charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development, told CNI News.

While seeing migrant workers

" It's difficult for illegal workers to find jobs. If they got jobs, their wages could be reduced than the basic salary designated. They have to work, ignoring basic rights. Legal workers foreign countries are called. But these workers can't come at once because of inspection processes. Workers are needed, but illegal workers are hired, employers can be taken action against." he said.

Because of allowing youths who would go abroad at an age limit only, banning from PJ (passport for job) to PV (passport for visit) and controlling working abroad legally, those who want to work abroad unavoidably have to choose going abroad illegally.

With more and more people who will go abroad through illegal channels, roles of brokers and human traffickers will be bigger.