CNI News

5 July 2024

Battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)/allies joint forces because the joint forces attacked the Northeastern Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw by drones and 107 mm shock missiles. 

Because the 107 mm shock missiles fell and exploded on the houses of civilians, nine civilians were killed at least.

So, residents of Lashio left the city by car in order to avoid battles. The long convoy of IDP cars was found to be waiting to cross the river at Sint In between Lashio and Thibaw on 4th July.

CNI News

5 July 2024

Some civilians were killed because Lashio had been attacked with heavy weapons and shock missiles since 2nd July, locals told CNI News. 

The brotherhood alliance forces attacked the Northeastern Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw with drones and shock missiles. 

And then the Myanmar Tatmadaw fired back with heavy weapons reportedly.

There have been nine civilian deaths in Lashio up to now and there are still heavy weapon fires, a philanthropist in Lashio told CNI News.

" Seven civilians were killed on 3rd July and two were killed this morning of 4th July. Heavy weapon shells fell down on 9 Ward in Lashio this morning. There are still heavy weapon fires up to now. The Myanmar Tatmadaw fire back with heavy weapons from inside Lashio." he said.

Because of the current military situation, all entrances and exits to Lashio have been closed and there have been military tensions reportedly. 

While seeing a heavy weapon shell fell on the Lashio City Golf Course

The people who lived in wards near the Myanmar Tatmadaw have left for other places and the people from the villages near Lashio have fled to safety, a resident of Lashio told CNI News.

" The people from the wards near the Myanmar Tatmadaw have moved to the places a little far from the Myanmar Tatmadaw. Some people gather at the Kachin Churches while others, at Wa Church. The people from the villages near Lashio went to farther rural areas or caves to stay." he said.

The EAO that came to attack Lashio has been surely known to be the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). However, it is reported that the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) and the United Wa State Army (UWSA/UWSP) attacked Lashio with the MNDAA. However, it could not be confirmed yet, he added.

Although that piece of news has come out, the UWSA and the SSPP have not released any news yet.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw and EAOs had reinforced their troops and weapons in and around Lashio since June reportedly.

CNI News

4 July 2024

The Union Election Commission (UEC) stated on 1st July that it refused the ANP (the Arakan National Party)'s application for the party registration because the party got entangled with or violated the Section 7 of the Political Party Registration Act. 

Their party had applied for the registration for over one year and the UEC could have pointed out the requirements the party should have carried out during the past year. 

The UEC didn't seem to want to register their party, U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the Policy Steering Committee of the ANP, told CNI News.

" Our ANP is the most popular party in Rakhine State. If they appreciated us as a political party, they should have pointed out the requirements that we had to meet during the past year because we had applied for the registration for over one year. Why they expressed that were inconsistent with Section-7 (of the Political Parties Registration Act) just now. The UEC doesn't seem to want us to register. We applied with a list of 25 people. I don't know what to say if they didn't allow us to register because we or one of us kept in touch with an unlawful individual or organization." he said.

While the ANP was putting up its signboard

According to the Political Parties Registration Act, organizations that encourage and support directly or indirectly organizations that have been declared illegal associations, organizations that are armed against the state and organizations designated by the State as terrorist organizations must not be allowed to apply for the registration.

Increasing participation of ethnic groups facilitated negotiation and discussion, but she had no rights to comment about political party registration, Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein from the Federal Democratic Party, told CNI News.

" As we are trying to make peace, we want all ethnic groups to participate because the more ethnic groups participate, the more convenient we negotiate. We want all ethnic groups in the country to have peace. But we have no rights to comment about the political party registration." she said.

They haven't decided how to proceed in relation to being refused to register their party and the ideas saying the political problem must be solved with political means must be broadened, U Tun Aung Kyaw from the ANP told CNI News.

" Battles are widely taking place in our country. So, the people are suffering a lot. We have been continuously trying to widen the political frame. It's sad that we were rejected. 

It's time all the stakeholders should carry out to broaden ideas and perceptions that can solve political problems through political means so that the hardships of the people can be overcome." he said.

The ANP is a powerful political party in Rakhine State and it won most of the seats in the general elections.

CNI Article 

4 July 2024 

The move of the Chinese Communist Party to expel General Wei Fanghe and General Li Shangfu from the CCP for corruption and initiate prosecution against them has rekindled the possibility that some of the long-range missiles under the command of the Rocket Force of the People’s Liberation Army have been filled with water instead of fuel and that the silo set up in the Xinjiang region to house some of these missiles has lids that do not fit properly; reports that Western observers had at one stage dismissed as too far-fetched. 

When General Wei and his successor General Li were sacked as Defence Minister of China in quick succession in 2023 and disappeared from public view, the world was searching for an answer to the question why. Officially, they had been accused of bribery; with no explanation offered.

 It was then that a report surfaced, quoting U.S. intelligence sources, that some of the long range missiles in the arsenal of China had been found to be filled with water and that a missile silo had a defective lid. 

While meeting the 2 defense ministers who were charged with corruption

In other words, a great scam was under way in the strategic Rocket Force of the PLA; raising serious doubts about the strike power of the Chinese armed forces and the question if the PLA was a paper tiger.

As the Centre for Strategic and International Studies wrote in January 25, 2024, in December 2023 “nine top military officials were removed in what was being called a ‘purge,’ including officials from the Strategic Rocket Forces that oversaw China’s nuclear-armed missiles.  
Subsequent reporting indicated the purge was due to ‘widespread corruption’ that has undermined ‘efforts to modernize the armed forces and raised questions about China’s ability to fight a war,’ according to U.S. Intelligence. Specifically, Chinese missiles were allegedly filled with water.” 

Experts had doubted if the report ascribed to U.S. intelligence was true. “There would be no reason to put water in the missiles unless it was deliberate sabotage. If it was deliberate sabotage, China would not just be purging this or that official. They would have been arrested, tried and shot. Sabotage or the destruction of strategic nuclear missiles is a very serious crime. The idea that some officials would just be dismissed from their job is not a response to anything of this level of criminal significance,” a columnist in the Asia Times wrote last January.

While meeting the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party

His suggestion was that the story of missiles being filled with water had been planted by the “Xi clique” as a red herring. According to him, President Xi is in trouble because of a power struggle within China. He is now using the ploy of a corruption probe to eliminate his competitors and anyone he thinks is a threat to his leadership. 

Significantly, both General Wei and General Li had been high-ups in the CCP hierarchy. Both had served as State Councillors, the top post in the Chinese Communist Party, and had been members of the Central Military Commission; the overall high command of the PLA headed by President Xi himself.

And there are plenty of reasons for President Xi to be in trouble. “There has been growing scepticism of Beijing’s reports of a robust expansion. China is plagued with symptoms of a sinking economy: deepening deflation, crumbling property prices, continuing debt defaults, a weakening currency, accelerating capital flight, and failing local governments,” Newsweek has observed.

Now, however, both the former Defence Ministers of China who have been expelled from the CCP are set to be prosecuted in what has been regarded as the worst scandal to hit the PLA, says the latest report from Beijing; belying conjectures that the two Generals have been let off leniently. 

Xinhua, the state-run news agency of China, has reported: “Li Shangfu betrayed his original mission, betrayed the trust of the Party Central Committee and Central Military Commission and caused great damage to the party cause and national defence;” grave charges indeed which, according to observers, may mean life imprisonment for General Li; a Chinese aerospace engineer who had headed the all important Rocket Force of the PLA and had been selected for the top defence post by President Xi himself. 

While seeing Xi Jinping

Earlier, he had spent decades in the Equipment Division which looked after procurements for the PLA. He went missing in 2023.

The crimes of General Wei were said to be extremely serious, with a highly detrimental impact and tremendous harm, according to the findings of an investigation. General Wei took over at the helm of the Second Artillery Corps of the PLA in 2012 and continued to lead the key part of the nuclear arsenal of China after it was restructured as the Rocket Force in 2015. 

In the typical style of the CCP, the charge sheets against the two generals of the PLA are verbose but vague. According to Xinhua, their actions have failed the trust of the CCP Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, have severely contaminated the political environment of the military; bringing enormous damage to the cause of the party, the development of national defence and the armed forces, and the image of senior officials.

The sacking of the two generals and their disappearance had coincided with the dismissal of nine other generals from the National People’s Congress in December 2023, including previous and serving commanders of the PLA Rocket Force and the Air Force; as well as several Central Military Commission officials with the Equipment Development Department. Their summary dismissals had sent shockwaves in the Chinese military.

Corruption in the Chinese military has raised questions about the ability of the PLA to achieve military objectives and attain the target of “great rejuvenation” as envisioned by President Xi. The Federation of American Scientists has stated in an open letter to U. S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin that these flaws, if true, would compromise military operations of China and raised concern that the information of the U.S. government on China’s arsenal may not be accurate or reliable. However, it is understood that the American military is not letting the guard down and is not changing anything about its current nuclear policy. 

CNI News

4 July 2024

Due to flooding in Ayeyarwady, Maykha Rivers and some streams with heavy rains, they were finding it difficult in carrying out relief operations, social assistance associations told CNI News.

Although the water level has gone down in some places, the water level has not in other places. So, it is still necessary to carry out emergency relief operations for the flood victims and boats and fuel are needed to do so, an official from Shwe Myittar Shwe Set Social Assistance Association, told CNI News.

" It's difficult to get enough fuel in Myitkyina. Roadside fuel shops have been flooded. We can't get fuel from pump stations as much as we want. The price of fuel has been 10,000 to 15,000 kyats per liter, I heard. We need fuel to carry out relief operations. There are places where you can't go by car, so you need boats and fuel." he said.

While the flood victims in Myitkyina were being assisted and relieved

Because so many houses were submerged due to flood in Kachin State, over 10,000 people were evacuated to monasteries and large buildings on higher land reportedly.

At present, flood victims are desperately in need of food and dresses and some flood victims have been homeless because their houses were washed away by the water current, according to social assistance associations.

Although Myitkyina and Waingmaw Townships experienced floods in 2004, the floods this year are getting worse, an official from the branch office in Kachin State of Myanmar Social Relief Organization told CNI News.

While seeing the flood victims in Myitkyina

" The flood this year gets worse than 2004. We don't get enough boats and fuel. Now all the social assistance associations from Mohnyin, Mogaung and Namti Towns. Although the water level has gone down, the water level is until your chest and other places, to your waist. The water level hasn't gone down at all in Kyet Paung Gyan. Schools can't be opened yet. They will take one or two weeks because they were completely flooded." he said.

The water level of Ayeyarwady River had been higher since the morning of 30th June and the level reached 1406 cm on 1st July although the critical water point is 1200 cm of Myitkyina.

The floods started taking place in Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Chipwi, Tanai and Hpakant on the low-lying places on 30th June and it might be delayed to finish reconstruction tasks, reviewed social assistance and relief associations.

CNI News

4 July 2024

Nearly 60 civilians were killed in Kyaukme, northern Shan State because of battles, according to regional philanthropic associations. 

There were many deaths due to the explosion of artillery shells and their philanthropic association was finding it difficult to get enough fuel, a member of a philanthropic association, told CNI News.

" There have been nearly 60 civilian deaths. 55 civilians were killed because of heavy weapons, and three people got sick and died. Today, we hear cracks of heavy weapons every 20 minutes. We are finding it difficult to get enough fuel for the car." he said. 

The battles have been breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA) in Kyaukme since 25th June, 2024.

While seeing IDPs

The battles between the two sides contain heavy weapon fire and air strikes and there are home damages and civilian casualties. At present, there are explosions of artillery shells within Kyaukme Town. So, almost all the residents of the town have fled to safety, a resident of Kyaukme told CNI News.

" Shells of heavy weapons fell and exploded on the houses in 8 Ward. Residents of the town largely went down to Mandalay. Some residents fled to Pon Woe and Naung Pain. Those who cannot go far away gathered at the monastery. There have been over 10,000 IDPs." he said.

Monks were looking after the IDPs with the help of the people who lived away, he added.

The battles have been breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the TNLA joint forces since 25th June in Kyaukme, Thibaw, Nawnghkio, Mogok and Madaya and locals are fleeing to safety.

CNI News

3 July 2024

As the Arakan National Party (ANP) was found to be inconsistent with the provisions of Section 7 of the Political Parties Registration Act, the party's application for registration was rejected, announced the Union Election Commission (UEC) on 1st July 2024.

According to the verification replies of the relevant ministries in relation to the ANP's application to be registered under the Section 25 of the Political Parties Registration Act, the party was found to be inconsistent with the provisions of Section 7 of the Political Parties Registration Act, said in the statement.

While seeing the statement that has refused the ANP's rights to establish a political party

According to the decision of the Union Election Plenary Session (11/2024), the UEC refused the ANP's application for the party registration in form (g) of the bylaw of the political parties registration and the UEC was verifying the rest parties that has applied for the party registration, reported the UEC.

The ANP is a party with strong public support in Rakhine State and a big party that won with the most votes in the 2015 general election and in the 2020 byelection within Rakhine State.

Refusing the application of the ANP with strong public support for registration was questionable for the survival of democracy and the ability to hold multi-party democratic elections, pointed out some people.

CNI News

3 July 2024

Thailand started the 120 Day Plan that will arrest undocumented foreigner migrant workers in June and within 24 days of the plan, over 60,000 illegal Myanmar migrant people were arrested, stated the Thai Ministry of Labor.

When illegal workers were checked across Thailand from 5th to 28th June, nearly 80,000 were arrested. Those arrested are 58,868 Myanmar people, 11,913 Cambodians, 5,571 Laotians, 22 Vietnamese people and 2,424 other foreigner workers reportedly.

The four month long plan came after the Thai government approved to issue the Thai Pink ID cards to undocumented migrant workers in June. Arresting like that might be related to online gambling, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Rights Foundation (LRF) told CNI News.

"In my opinion, the arrests seem to be related to their national security and online gambling. Myanmar citizens are not involved in gambling and frauds. But taking advantage of our ignorant Myanmar citizen workers, their documents and bank accounts were abused. These things may be related to the arrests." he said.

While authorities concerned have arrested those who entered illegally

If migrant workers with incomplete documents were checked and found, the four month long plan that would arrest, fine and send back to their native countries had been officially announced by the Thai authorities.

Among about 80,000 illegal migrant workers who were arrested, 352 Myanmar workers, 75 Laotian workers, 53 Cambodian workers, five Vietnamese workers and 49 other citizens had been taken action against already, announced the Thai Ministry of Labor.

The Thai authorities sought and arrested at 203 places including shops, factories, workshops and restaurants reportedly.

While authorities are checking a workplace

"In my opinion, the news came out in a threatening manner to make all undocumented workers take Thai Pink ID cards. Brokers in Thailand were waiting for that. It's difficulty to get jobs. Jobs are scarce. There are a lot of liars. Many people were cheated. Jobs are very scarce for those who are undocumented. Even some MoU workers were cheated by their agents." said Ko Moe Lay who lives in Mae Sot to CNI News.

If an undocumented worker who is not allowed to work or a worker who works in a type of work that he does not have the right to work is found, he will be fined from 5,000 to 50,000 Thai Baht and will be sent back to his country as well as will be banned to work in Thailand for two years.

If an employers who hires a worker who is not allowed to work is found, the employer will be fined from 10,000 to 100,000 Thai Baht for a worker. If the employer committed the offence again, he will be imprisoned one year at most and be banned to hire foreign migrant workers for three years reportedly.

CNI News
2 July 2024

Seven banks that lent housing loans more than the amount designated by the Central Bank of Myanmar would be taken action against, reported the State Administration Council (SAC) on the night of 1st July.

The Central Bank of Myanmar allowed housing loans for a term of more than three years, depending on the total banking loans, with a view to offering a new loan system for private banks and creating opportunities for property ownership by the people, stated the SAC.

However, Yoma Bank, Myanmar Citizens Bank, Ayeyarwady Bank, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Bank, UAB Bank, Myanmar Metro Bank, Construction, Housing & Infrastructure Development Bank were checked and found that they granted housing loans beyond the stipulations of the CBM, said in the statement released by the SAC.

YOMA Bank grants loans exceeding 11 per cent than the fixed amount of the Central Bank of Myanmar.

Myanmar Citizenship Bank grants loans exceeding 8.94 per cent than the fixed amount of the Central Bank of Myanmar.

AYA Bank grants loans exceeding 1.96 per cent than the fixed amount of the Central Bank of Myanmar.

SME Development Bank grants loans exceeding 1.01 per cent than the fixed amount of Central Bank of Myanmar.

UAB Bank grants loans exceeding 3.38 per cent than the fixed amount of Central Bank of Myanmar.
Myanmar Metro Bank grants loans exceeding 0.39 per cent than the fixed amount of the Central Bank of Myanmar.

CHID Bank grants loans exceeding 16.34 per cent than the fixed amount of the Central Bank of Myanmar.

The officials concerned would supervise the return of the loans exceeding the fixed amount of CBM from the banks within the fixed time and officials from these seven private banks would be taken action against in accordance with the law, said in the statement.

The seven private banks would be fined under Section 154 of the Financial Institutions Law, and the relevant officials of CBM would also be taken action against for their weakness in the supervision of the private banks, said in the statement.