CNI News

29 May 2024

The State Administration Council (SAC) has replaced the position of Deputy Minister for Defense with Maj-Gen Ko Lay, reported the SAC on 28 May 2024. 

Former Deputy Minister Maj-Gen Aung Lin Tun was appointed from March 2021 until march 2024. 

However, he was arrested for his involvement in the Zha Pian (telecom fraud) case in march this year. 

And then, the SAC stated on 28 May 2024 that Maj-Gen Ko Lay has been appointed as Deputy Minister for Defense.

CNI News

29 May 2024

In exporting Myanmar onions abroad, because of difficult trade routes, the prices of onion have decreased, according to onion traders. 

Myanmar onions are being exported to China through the Myla border trade in eastern Shan State and Lweje border trade in Kachin State; to Thailand through Htoh Kaw Koh route, Kawthaung-Ranong route and Sinkhun-Maw Taung route.

However, because battles are currently taking place in Kachin State; Htoh Kaw Koh road is being damaged due to heavy rain; Kyon Eik Bridge and Bilin Bridge were mined and damaged and cannot be used, exporting onion to China and Thailand have been suspended reportedly.

So, the price of onion within the country had decreased and it was not easy in order to make the onion market recover, U Aung Myint, an onion trader from Myingyan, told CNI News.

" Because of difficult export routes, transportation is delayed. Even goods that have already been sold cannot be exported. Warehouses are full with goods. So, the prices are declining. Unless export routes are good, it won't be easy to make the market recover." he said.

The domestic price of onion was 2,200 Kyats per viss last week and the price is gradually decreasing. Currently, the price is only 1,700 Kyats per viss.

If difficult export routes are going on existing, the price of onion can decline anymore, estimated some people. Moreover, because there are difficult transportations in carrying onion from villages to onion broker's sales centers and truck fare is high, the price is declining, according to onion traders from Pakokku.

Because the Myanmar Tatmadaw and check points commandeer trucks in Pakokku Township, the arrival of onion to the wholesales centers has been low, U Kyaw Thaung, an onion trader from Pakokku told CNI News.

" The transportation is not good to carry onion. The roads from Pakokku have been often closed. It's 30 miles away from my village, Chet Myon, to Pakokku. We have to pay the truck fare 200 Kyats per viss, but 180 kyats per viss if you carry onion to Pathein that is about 300 miles away from Pakokku. Today, onion trucks don't enter because trucks are commandeered. The price of onion today is 1,800 kyats per viss. The arrival of onion is low. Truck owners are afraid of their trucks to be commandeered. When a truck is commandeered, the truck owner has pay a driver 80,000 to 100,000 Kyats each day." he said.

Because of difficult transportation to export onion abroad, onions are piling up by the lakh vises to export abroad in the brokers' sale centers and depots reportedly.

At present, onions are being exported abroad by sea and traders are trying to export onions to Thailand through Kawthaung border, using motor boats.

CNI News

29 May 2024

the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPJDC)'s political parties group was jointly led by four political parties, U Khin Maung Thein, member of the Central Executive Committee of the National Unity Party (NUP), told CNI News. 

The four parties are the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the People's Party (PP), the Arakan Front Party (AFP) and the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), he said.

The National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee(NSPNC) invited 47 parties which have got registration, but two of them didn't attend. 16 people out of 45 parties were elected to take part in the political parties group. 

And then, NSPNC asked us to elect leader and deputy leader of the group. And then, people of four parties were elected to serve as leader and deputy leader. 

The four parties are the SNDP led by Sai Aik Pao, the USDP, the People's Party (PP) led by U Ko Ko Gyi, the AFP led by Dr.Aye Maung. Leaders the four parties are also the leaders of the political parties group, which are submitted." said U Khin Maung Thein to CNI News.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties

The representatives from the 47 parties for the UPJDC's political parties group were elected on 25th and 26th May reportedly.

The UPJDC must be made up of 16 representatives each from the government, the Hluttaw and the Tatmadaw, the NCA signatories and the political parties, which has been imposed in the NCA. 

The four political parties which have taken the leadership role must always lead and carry out for the peace process and political affairs, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party, told CNI News.

" The four parties will always lead political parties and carry out the peace process and political affairs and then, the current constitution will be amended by the EAOs, political parties and the Tatmadaw government. If they reach an agreement and sign it, they will submit the agreement to the government which will come to power through a general election and the Hluttaw to approve." he said.

Although the political parties group has been formed already at least two times from 2021 to 2023, it hasn't been able to carry out effectively in the peace process. Moreover, it is not interested by the public and international diplomats, reviewed a politician.

CNI News

28 May 2024

Although the rainy season has set in, because the IDPs in Rakhine State, they are finding it difficult for their livelihoods reportedly. 

Some IDPs have gone back to their native places because battles have sharply decreased in their townships. So, social assistance associations and other organization didn't come to donate anymore, those in charge of the camps said.

Not only did the IDPs not get help, jobs are also scarce for them. So, they were finding it more difficult, U Nyi Pu, in charge of the Sinbaw gaing camp, told CNI News.

While seeing the houses that were damaged during battles in Rakhine State

" Recently, the IDPs from our camp don't get anymore of grant money. For the time being, battles have decreased around here. Some IDPs have gone home. So, social assistance organizations don't give any help anymore, I heard. But there are about 100 family members left here. Among them, some have no place to live, in other words, they are homeless. It's not convenient for them because the rainy season has set in. They have no jobs. When there will be heavy rains and strong winds, jobs will be scarcer. They are finding it for their livelihood." he said.

There are over 500,000 IDPs in the territory controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State and among them, 80 percent are Rohingya people from Buthidaung and Maungdaw and the rest are Rakhine people, stated the AA.

Baby care products and feminine hygiene products including basic foodstuffs are needed. So, the AA has urged CSOs and social assistance associations including international organizations to help the IDPs. Moreover, because artillery shells fell and exploded at some IDP camps and there are dropping bombs from planes, some IDPs are fleeing to safety.

People who have fled from camps to avoid fighting should be helped, Daw Hla Aye Saw from the Myadazaung IDP Camp, told CNI News.

While seeing Rakhine IDPs

" We haven't received any assistance for 4 or 5 months. Our IDPs are no more in the IDP camp. We have separate houses in the camp. Now the houses have collapsed. Because the IDPs have no jobs, they are not convenient for their livelihood. When they live in their villages, I want assistance organizations to help them. People are not allowed to live in group. I wonder who told that. There are no rescue organizations any more. Fighting took place at Mrauk U. Planes dropped bombs. People there didn't dare to go on living. They had to flee again." she said.

There are IDPs by the lakhs in Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Minbya, Mrauk U, Ranbye, Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships at present and they have difficulties to get enough food and accommodations reportedly.

CNI News

28 May 2024

Fighting between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)/ the People's Defense Force (PDF) joint forces was going on in Hlwa Zin Gon Village near Naung Pu Aung Village, Homalin Township, upper Sagaing Region and on the eastern bank of Chindwin River, said locals.

Fighting was severely taking place at Myintha, Ngoping, Yayle Villages on the eastern bank of Chindwin River and the KIA/PDF joint forces were attacking the military camps of the Shanni Nationalities Army in Hla Zin Gon Village by drones, said a local. 

" The KIA/PDF joint forces are severely attacking the military camps of the SNA in Myintha, Ngoping and Yayle. The PDFs are trying to capture the entire eastern bank of Chindwin Bank. There are these three villages left there. If they were able to capture these three villages, the entire eastern bank of Chindwin River would be their territory. They have been attacking for three or four days since 23rd May. But they have not been able to capture Naung Pu Aung and Hlwa Zin Gon. They have been ceaselessly attacking by drones and were shooting with 40mm. But now, we don't hear drones anymore." he said to CNI News.

While seeing Homalin Towns

The KIA/PDF joint forces were launching an offensive to capture Homalin Town, using a lot of troops, said locals. They have been attacking since 23rd May and battles are severely taking place up to now, according to locals.

A lot of the KIA/PDF joint forces who came from Phar Nine Village broke open the houses in Myintha Village and have occupied and seized mobile phones of the locals, a resident of Homalin, told CNI News.

" The PDFs broke open the houses in Myintha Village and have occupied in almost every house and seized the mobile phones of the villagers. Any plane hasn't come yet. Mutual shooting is taking place between the two sides." he said.

While seeing the Homalin PDF

Battles are breaking out between the two sides in Hlwa Zin Gon, Phar Nine, Myintha, Ngoping,and Shwe Pyi Aye as well as Tilaung on the Homalin-Tamu Road reportedly. Although the SNA was carrying out for the lives and properties of local people, because the KIA/PDF joint forces entered the territories controlled by the SNA, battles are breaking out.

Gathering Mawlike, Kalay, Khamti, Homalin, Katha, Tamu Districts in Sagaing Region as well as Banmaw, Myitkyina, Mohnyin, Mogaung Districts in Kachin State, the SNA is  an EAO that is trying to get the Shanni State.

CNI News

28 May 2024

Myanmar workers legal or undocumented in Malaysia are getting the amount less than basic salary officially designated, those who provide social assistance told CNI News. 

Although basic salary of Malaysia is 1,500 Ringgits (1,300,000 Myanmar Kyats), the workers are not paid at that rate.

Moreover, It is still difficult for the workers to enjoy the job opportunities and jobs are still scarce at present. Factories where wires have to be chosen which Chinese nationals  have opened still didn't need any workers, Ko Thet, chairman of the Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donors Association, told CNI News.

" Basic salary of Malaysia is 1,500 Ringgits. But even officially called workers get 900 or 1,000 Ringgits only. Some overstayers or undocumented workers were employed but they were not paid. When the employers need workers, officially called workers are often employed. So, when our citizens arrive, they can't enjoy job opportunities. In the past, Myanmar workers rarely worked in palm oil farms, but now they can't even get jobs in the farms." he said.

Arrests are being conducted again in many parts of Malaysia at present and officials come to restaurants and shops opened by foreigners and arrest in mufti rather than in uniform, according to those providing social assistance in Malaysia.

A construction site

Due to a lack of job opportunity, brokers in collaboration with the agents in Malaysia found house maid jobs for young women and acted like selling them after taking money from landlords or landladies reportedly. 

Moreover, some people are getting into trouble until they have to sleep on the roadside because they have no food and accommodation. Most Myanmar citizens drink alcohol and some locals complain as they don't accept this behavior reportedly.

" There is a problem that Myanmar workers complained. They told me that they had been in Malaysia for about five months. They were taken to Malaysia after being told that they would get 1,500 Ringgits. They work in a manner one day work and one day off, but they get 900 Ringgits. Although employers and agents told them that they would get 1,500 Ringgits after three months, it didn't make any difference as well after three months. These workers protested without going to work. What I want to tell the workers at present is that they should take care of going or coming and go on working at their present jobs with patience in spite of low-paid salaries." said U Barbu Gyi who is helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, told CNI News.

If someone wanted to come and work in Malaysia, he or she should have a close relative or reliable friends who had arrived there. Most of the people who get into trouble came to Malaysia as they trusted what brokers told them reportedly.

CNI News
May 27, 2024

The Indian security forces were supporting the Kuki National Army (Burma) and launching a proxy war, stated the Naga Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Chishi Swu/Muivah (NSCN-IM). The KNA-B in collaboration with the People's Defense Force (PDF) fought against the Naga armed group and Meitei armed group in Myothit, Tamu Township. And then, the NSCN-IM accused India of supporting the KNA and PDF and waging a war against the Naga groups.

" Although the Indian security forces are supporting the KNA-B and PDFs and launching a proxy war against the NSCN, the Naga army didn't carry out anything to fight against the KNA-B. Moreover, the Naga army has no reason to go against the PDF. The situation taking place on the India-Myanmar border is that India is using a secret war or a proxy war to fight against the NSCN. The Indian security forces, including Assam Rifles and reserve forces are fighting against the NSCN using the name of the KNA-B." stated the NSCN-IM.

The reason why India was doing like that was because it didn't want the Naga armed groups to base in Myothit, Myanmar, said in the state released by the NSCN-IM.

While seeing the statement released by the NSCN-IM

" The Indian security forces are obviously supporting the KNA-B to fight against the Meitei revolutionary groups that has based on that place. The Indian security forces have allowed the Kuki militant groups that are active in Tengnoupal District, Manipur State to enter Myanmar and to fight against the Meitei revolutionary groups." it said.

At the bloody war against the Naga groups, the Indian security forces are using the Kuki force as a vanguard and fully supporting it, said the NSCN-IM. Although the NSCN-IM that has signed a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government for 27 years took care of the Indian government's propaganda war, the agencies of the Indian government went on attacking the NSCN-IM, said in the statement.

While the KNA-B seized the arms and ammunition owned by the Meitei armed group

India is cracking down on Naga and Meitei armed groups. The accusation saying that the Indian government was supporting the KNA-B was not true, stated the KNA-B.

Joining with the PDFs, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), the Chin National Front (CNF), the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF), the KNA-B is fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw and other armed groups in Tamu, Kalay and Khampat.

CNI News

27 May 2024

Since 2018 the Myanmar -China trade has been tilted in favor of China. In FY 2018-19 the trade imbalance stood at USD 1266.423 Mn. This imbalance has continued till date.

In 2019-20 the difference was USD1309.122 Mn, in 2020-21 it was USD533.519Mn, in 2022-23 the difference stood at 1613.354 Mn USD and in FY  2023-24 was USD1696.455 Mn. (FY 2021-22 being year of Mini Budget).

The export items from Myanmar includes basic materials viz Natural Gas, rubber, Green Mung Bean, Rice, other Agri products, Seeds, ores and Fisheries, while imports include Cotton Fabrics, fertilizers, Industrial goods, Vehicles, Electric Goods, Chemicals and Plastic etc. It also indicates pathetic conditions of Myanmar manufacturing sector where as they import mostly furnished goods.

The data available is only the official figures but real matter of concern is illegal or unaccounted export of Myanmar’s natural wealth to China in the form of precious materials like Gold, Jade and rare earth minerals. Myanmar contains 9% of world’s rare earth minerals, which are not exported officially or utilized to uplift deteriorating Myanmar Economy but are being smuggled to China.

A “Memorandum of Understanding on the “Establishment of the Working Group for the Promotion of Smooth Trade” between Myanmar and China was signed on 18^th Jan,2020. The agreement was renewed on 24 Jan, 2024. In order to address the issues of bilateral trade Myanmar sent an official letter to Chinese Embassy on 11^th May, 2023, requesting for a meeting of Working Group of Smooth Trade, which has not been responded by Chinese authorities till date.

In order to get access to Chinese markets, Myanmar regularly participates in Trade Expo, seminars etc. In 2022-23 Myanmar duly participated in China-ASEAN Expo, Lashio-Lancang Border Trade Fair, China-South Asia Expo and China Kunming Export-Import Expo.  

Chinese influence in Myanmar Economy is deep rooted to such an extent that has put China in a dictating position wherein all the major actors viz. SAC, EAOs and NLD are following Chinese wishes. Myanmar is helpless and has no alternative to counter trade imbalance with China.

CNI News

27 May 2024

Although the salt production in Mon State could be promoted more than last year, because the price has declined, salt farmers are finding it difficult reportedly. 

Although the production cost was higher, because the price of salt was not higher, some salt farmers are facing losses and salt farmers are finding it difficult to produce salt any more in the coming salt production season, U Hla tin, a salt farmer from Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State, told CNI News.

" Salt caught rain about three times in the hot season. And because the price of salt is low, it's not convenient. Salt caught rain three times in the hot season. But this year, the salt yield is 20,000 or 30,000 tons more than last year. But this year the price is low. If it goes on like that, a lot of salt can't be produced in the coming year. Moreover, the production costs including labor charges and much more money for diesel are so high, but the price of salt doesn't go up. We, salt farmers, are finding it difficult. It will be convenient only the price reaches over 200 kyats per viss." he said.

While seeing a stove boiling brine to get salt

Although the price of salt was 200 kyats and above per viss at a time like this last year, now the price is only 150 kyats per viss. 

So, it would be convenient only if the price was above 200 kyats per viss because the production cost was high, said salt farmers. Although the salt produced in Mon State was being distributed to Karen State, Tanintharyi and Mandalay Regions, the use of salt has declined in Tanintharyi Region because the aqua product industry decreased there reportedly.

In the same way, when the salt from Mon State is bought, because the transportation charges are higher, salt buyers from Mandalay Region are buying only the salt from Ayeyarwady Region reportedly. So, Mon State's salt market was almost broken, and a large amount of salt had remained, said salt farmers.

While seeing a salt production workplace

Not only is the salt to be eaten, it was also necessary to build large factories such as paper mills that use tons of salt, Ko Naing Hu, a salt farmer from Thanbyuzayat Township, told CNI News.

" Because the Sittaung Paper Mill has been suspended, the supply of salt was about 20,000 tons reduced a year. If there were factories like this in our state, the factories wouldn't have to worry about salt as a raw material. Finished products could be sold to the government, companies or foreign countries as an export. If we have to produce salt only for the domestic market, we might find it difficult every so often." he said.

Although an MoU could be signed to export 30,000 tons of Myanmar salt to South Korea, about 5,000 tons only have been exported, and the remaining tons of salt have not been ordered reportedly.