CNI News
23 December 2023

If there is no ability to maintain and protect the country in unity, the country may disintegrate into chaos and also face arbitrary shaping and control, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council.

He said the above at the opening ceremony of Youth and Literature Arts Festival to commemorate the 76th Independence Day.

Some powerful countries use their Myanmar national traitors who are influenced by them to instigate racial and religious conflicts in Myanmar and to make the country unstable. Moreover, they shape the words - human rights and democracy as they want and they pressurize ‌and they threaten. They are using various methods to keep the country under their influence, he said.

" In a situation like this, small countries like Myanmar need to maintain and defense in unity. Unless the country could be maintained and protected, it may fall apart chaotically. Moreover, the country may be influenced and controlled. Myanmar can become their subordinate country, which I want to warn." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing the Union Boat

Everyone must be careful that the consequences of colonialists' divide and rule still remain among the nationalities of Myanmar. So, it was necessary for everyone to carry out so as not to disintegrate the country and to monitor ways of modern colonialism carefully, he said.

" Not only according to the current situation of the world but also according to the reality of our country, 'Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national solidarity and Perpetuation of sovereignty' are the most necessary and appropriate national goals and responsibilities." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The National Unity Government (NUG)/the People's Defense Force (PDF) led by NLD MPs and some EAOs are carrying out armed attacks to overthrow the Tatmadaw and the SAC led by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing the TNLA forces after capturing Namkham Town (SPM News)

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Arakan Army (AA), the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA), the Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF) and the People's Defense Force led by Bo Nagar are waging battles to capture towns and cities, implementing the Operation-1027 in northern Shan State.

The Operation-1027 arose because China allowed or supported, said military and political analysts.

In the same way, the Karen National Union (KNU), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), the Chin National Front (CNF), the AAA, the PDFs under the NUG and the PDFs not under the NUG are waging battles to capture the Tatmadaw's military camps and towns in Rakhine, Karen, Kayah, Chin States, Sagaing and Magway Regions.

Behind the armed conflicts breaking out in these regions and states are US and western countries, said military and political analysts.

CNI News.

22 December 2023

Although about 900,000 Myanmar people in Thailand have registered in the name list, when they apply for CI (certificate of identity) books, because they have to pay the income tax for six months, some Myanmar migrant workers might decide to become illegal migrant workers, those who are helping in the affairs of the workers told CNI News.

Thai government allowed undocumented migrant workers to register in the name list and at that time, Myanmar migrant workers did not have to pay the income tax. So, many Myanmar migrant workers registered in the name list with their employees.

Myanmar Ministry of Labor has stated that it will issue CI books to about 900,000 Myanmar migrant workers and they must pay the income tax.

" Those who are registered in the name list - if they don't want to apply for CI, their legitimacies have been void. According to the law, a worker is allowed only if he has necessary evidence documents. On the other hand, the workers have to pay the tax. Some migrant workers might have decided to become illegal workers because it' s getting more difficult for them without having a mechanism that will resolve their difficulties. Collecting tax will be attached to passport renewal and visa issues." said U Moe Kyaw, associate general secretary from the Yaung Gyi Oo Workers Association, to CNI News.

However, because there are Myanmar migrant workers who want to legally work, they will pay the income tax after applying for evidence documents, said the people who are carrying out the affairs of workers.

Migrant workers who come and register in the name list

There were Myanmar migrant workers who decided to become illegal workers after 2021 when the political changes started because  it was difficult for them to apply for CI books and it cost them a lot of money.

Those who are carrying out the affairs of migrant workers pointed out that the process of applying for CI books which Myanmar and Thailand are collaboratively working should be abolished because it is not beneficial to the migrant workers.

" The process contains medical checks up, work permits and visa. But many workers don't participate in the process because they can't afford. Real cost for a CI book is just 300 bahts according to the law. Service charge is 10 bahts. But in practice, it can cost you around 10,000 bahts. To tell you frankly, we don't like CI. It will be more convenient if PJ (passport of job) or red passport is issued." said Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization.

The certificate showing that income tax has already been paid must be shown when a passport is renewed or applied, a CI book is applied or renewed, a power of attorney is applied, an Overseas Worker Identification Card (OWIC) is applied and a U-turn process is applied.

CNI News

22 December 2023

The war frame is getting wider due to the current domestic armed conflicts and at the same time, the political role is contrasting. So, some politicians are thinking about finding a solution to reduce the widening war frame. 

The stakeholders should find a solution by meeting and discussion, Naing Than Shwe from the Mon Unity Party (MUP), told CNI News.

" Currently, the war frame is getting wider almost everywhere. If we find a solution by meeting and discussion, political frame will be wider and war frame will be narrower. When the war frame is getting wider, politicians are worried about their security. And the people are getting into trouble more. So, if we can make the political frame expand, we'll be more convenient." he said.

Election commission and political party representatives

Due to political changes after 1st February 2021, domestic armed conflicts widely took place. It was important to have an elected government to ease military conflicts, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" It's necessary to have an elected government so as to make the political frame expand. If you discuss with the State Administration Council (SAC), because they are soldiers, they just go with the framework. If the discussion was not consistent with their framework, it is very difficult to discuss. So, if an elected civilian government came to power, it will be easier to discuss, I think. So, a general election should be held quickly. First, the election must be held in the stable regions. And then, after making peace in places that are not peaceful, the election must be expanded. We wish to do so." said U Thet Zaw.

Currently, the SAC has announced that revolutionary forces as terrorist organizations and vice versa. And the revolutionary forces have said they don't need to discuss about the blood debt. 

While seeing IDPs coming from Muse

So, it is difficult for the two sides to meet and negotiate to find a solution. An intermediary force that was trusted by all the organizations involved was needed to intervene, Mai Ohn Khaing, a Palaung politician, told CNI News.

" The two sides need to have a mind to negotiate and discuss. An intermediary force that is trusted by all the organizations is needed to intervene, I think." he said.

At present, battles are breaking out not only in border areas but also in the mainland where battles had not broken out. 

Although some EAOs, some domestic political parties, neighboring countries, ASEAN countries and international organizations are trying to solve the armed conflicts, it has not been resolved yet.

CNI News

21 December 2023

The Central Bank of Myanmar sold 9.72 million US dollars to the companies that import fuel on 18th December. 

So, difficulty in purchasing fuel in the domestic market will be resolved to an extent, said businessmen. 

There were difficulties purchasing fuel in Regions and States including Yangon Region last week and incidents of fuel shortages also occurred.

Necessary foreign currency to import fuel is being sold at the exchange rate designated by the Central Bank reportedly. However, businessmen who import fuel and the government need to honest so as not to make waiting in line to buy fuel and fuel shortage, U Thet Zaw, an economist analyst, told CNI News.

" I know the Central Bank sold over 9 million US dollars but I don't know exactly for diesel or gasoline. To the best of my knowledge, the bank sold for 35 percent of fuel imported. You must find US dollars by yourself for 65 percent. Businessmen need to be honest. At the same time, the government needs to carry out decidedly. Otherwise, people have to wait in line to buy fuel again. Moreover, a social class that wait in line to re-sell fuel will arise." he said.

While fuel is being filled in the fuel tank of cars

Although fuel can be regularly bought in Yangon Region, Mon State and some regions and states at present, fuel can be bought in a limited amount in Ayeyarwady Region. Moreover, the price of fuel is also going up and diesel is paid 4,000 kyats per liter reportedly.

Moreover, it was convenient to buy fuel for agricultural reasons if a letter of recommendation could be shown, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

" A few days ago, it was difficult to buy fuel. Now, it's more convenient. But it's still a little difficult. But if you have a letter of recommendation, you can buy fuel more easily. Those who are really in need of fuel for the agriculture are given priority. But sometimes, there is a short of fuel. Sometimes, fuel stations sell fuel worth 3,000 kyats and sometimes, worth 5,000 kyats> Some stations sell fuel worth 5,000 kyats each day. If you have a letter of recommendation, you can buy a gallon of gasoline. If you buy with a letter of recommendation, you can buy 10 gallons of diesel at some stations. But some stations sell five gallons. In comparison with a few days ago, it's more convenient. But we are still waiting to get fuel." said U Thein Aung.

While fuel is being filled in the fuel tank of cars

Singapore is exporting about 5 metric tons of fuel necessary for Myanmar every month and negotiations have been made to import 27 oil tankers this month, according to the working committee for fuel import, storage and distribution. 

At present, in Yangon, diesel price is 2,185 kyats per liter, and premium diesel, 2,240 kyats per liter, and 92 gasoline price is 2,245 kyats per liter and 95 gasoline, 2,545 kyats per liter.

The fuel prices in other regions and states are more expensive than those in Yangon.

CNI News

21 December 2023

Myanmar will conduct a familiarization trip or FAM trip to resolve Chinese misunderstanding of Myanmar to an extent, according to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism. 

The FAM trip has been planned to start in January 2024 and the tourism companies in Yunnan Province, Chinese media, influencers and bloggers have been invited, U Aung Aye Han, deputy director of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism told CNI News.

" For the time being, No More Bets film is being shown in China and it has been filmed about online fraud gangs in Myanmar and Cambodia. It's kind of a bit propaganda. Chinese people have been afraid a bit to come to Myanmar. It's not like that. See for yourselves. We have invited Chinese famous influencers, media and bloggers to see the reality when they visit here" he said.

No More Bets film poster

The Chinese film called No More Bets has filmed about online fraud gangs in Myanmar and Cambodia and it was shown for the first time in China on 8th August 2023 and it was terribly popular among the Chinese people.

Due to this film, agitations widely emerged not to go to Myanmar and it damaged the image of Myanmar, Myanmar Consulate General in Nanning told the director of the Office of Foreign Affairs in Guanxijun Autonomous Region.

The Chinese tourists included in the FAM trip will be sent to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and beach areas to persuade the Chinese tourists more reportedly. 

If the FAM trip was really implemented, it would be more convenient, said tourism entrepreneurs and hotel operators.

While welcoming Chinese tourists arriving at Yangon Airport

However, in addition to the destinations known as the image of Myanmar, other destinations also should be sent and shown, U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association (northern Shan State), told CNI News.

 " The trips to beach areas, Bagan, Inle, cities and so on are mainly sent. In my opinion, a tourist who has ever been to a place doesn't want to go there again. So, to persuade tourists any more, we should find places, I think. For example, in the cold season, you should make trips to the icy mountains. There are so beautiful mountains in our country. We have to make mountain trips. If so, it won't be boring." he said.

In the tourism season of the 2023-2024 year, tourist arrivals probably will increase than the last year, which people have estimated and tourist arrivals from abroad will likely increase, said tourism entrepreneurs and hotel operators.

CNI News

21 December 2023

The monastery in Narmaw Village where IDPs from Naung Pu Aung Village, Homalin Township in Sagaing Region, were taking refuge was burned down and a novice there died in the fire, said a resident of Naung Pu Aung. 
He said it burned through the kitchen about 1:00 a.m on 20th December 2023.

" The monastery in Narmaw Village has been burned down. We have been in Narmaw. It was not burned due to the battle. It's not known yet why it burned. But a novice in the monastery died in the fire. The fire started around 1:30 a.m. All IDPs from Naung Pu Aung came and stayed in the monastery in Narmaw Village. Now that the monastery has been burned down, we still don't know what to do." a resident of Naung Pu Aung told CNI News.

While the battles were breaking out between the Shanni Nationalities and the KIA/PDF joint forces in November at Hwazingon Village, locals from nearby villages including ones from Naung Pu Aung came to Narmaw Village to flee the battle reportedly.

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA)

The KIA/PDF joint forces attacked Hlwazingon Village, Far Nine Village and Shwe Pyi Aye Town at the same time on 21st November and the KIA/PDF joint forces have controlled Shwe Pyi Aye reportedly.

There have been no battles at Hlwazingon and Far Nine at present. However, the battles are taking place at Thaungthut, Ohbokatauk and Tonhe regions along the Chindwin River between Tamu and Homalin, said a local. 

"There are no battles near Uru  Creek for the time being. Along the Chindwin River, the battles are severely taking place. The Tatmadaw is shooting by heavy weapons. But the KIA/PDF joint forces are capturing one village after another and approaching to Homalin. Ohbokatauk, Thaungthut, Tonhe and so on along the Chindwin River on the road to Tamu from Homalin have been captured by the KIA/PDF joint forces. They have already reached Tilaung Village." he said to CNI News.

The People's Defense Force (PDF)

Due to the current battles, over 2,000 locals from Shwe Pyi Aye Town, Myintha, Ngopin, Mezali, Zeebintha, Naung San Kyin, Hlwazingon and Naung Pu Aung Villages fled to Homalin reportedly.

The IDPs are taking refuge in the monasteries in Homalin and they are finding it difficult to get enough basic food because the roads and waterways have been blocked reportedly.

CNI News

21 December 2023

There are reviews and discussions among Myanmar political circles whether there is a new template to solve Myanmar political problems. Myanmar is facing crises and deteriorating from all sides.

Despite efforts to resolve these crises through dialogue, they are not working. On the other hand, revolutionary forces are waging battles to topple down the Tatmadaw, saying there is no reason to discuss the blood debt. 

However, in order to be able to solve the political problems, discussions can be conducted while fighting and if reliable individuals or organizations mediate, the path that can solve the problem might be opened, Sao Khun Seng, a person who is taking part in the peace process, told CNI News.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Commander in Chief of the Defense Services

" The voice saying 'no discussion for the blood debt' is very loud. So, the prospect of swaying towards discussion is less likely. But if we can study international incidents, we can find that they are discussing while fighting. There may be publicly-known discussions There may be closed door discussions. Moreover, there may be discussions through an intermediary. It is necessary to use both ways. 'I must fight. I won't discuss it.' This idea cannot be taken for granted. In the same way, 'I must discuss. I don't fight.' This idea also cannot be taken for granted. In fact, we can discuss while we are fighting. But I understand  it's difficult to do so at present. Some leaders also understand that. But we need to make the people in the organizations understand. So, shouldn't we start discussing through trusted organizations or reliable individuals? But we don't have to discuss them publicly. The road to peace might gradually open." he said.

Due to the current domestic armed conflicts, civilians are being killed, houses and buildings are being set on fire and damaged, and the people are fleeing to safety.

the organization currently in power should carry out to solve the political problem, Naing Than Shwe, spokesperson of the Mon Unity Party, told CNI News.

While seeing the people fleeing to safety

" It's a little difficult to say what a new way is. Only if all the stakeholders solved the problem, could a new one be found. It would be very difficult if only one organization created a new template that can solve the problem. If we study the period of late 2010, it was the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) then in power that created a new political template. The council planned and held elections. And then, U Thein Sein who emerged from the new political template came to power. In the same way, will the current government create a new political template? If possible, after all the stakeholders meet and discuss, how will we go as a new template? It's better to have a format that everyone agrees on." he said.

If the armed conflict could not be solved, the people would suffer from worse economic crises and territorial insecurities, he added. 

Due to the current battles,Myanmar's politics, peace, economy, education, health, social and so on are facing crises.

CNI News

20 December 2023

Illegal cross-border gold trade and exports decreased due to domestic armed conflicts reportedly. Mainly, Myanmar gold often is illegally exported to India. 

Moreover, Myanmar gold is illegally exported to Thailand, Bangladesh and other countries. As the border path that goes to India is not stable for the time being, many illegal gold exports have been suspended, Ko Nay Khant, a gold market analyst, CNI News.

" All the border paths have been closed mainly because of the civil war. So, there is no path to export gold. But there are gold exports but not as many as in the past. Mainly, the gold was being exported to India. But now, the path to India is not good. Any gold trader doesn't use the path. Worse, there is a problem with fuel. So, many merchants have stopped exporting gold. You'll have to take a lot of risk if you use the path." said Ko Nay Khant.  

While seeing people who have held arms

It is estimated that cross-border gold export was about 10 visses and above at the time when it was peaceful. Because the gold export has been suspended, the gold price is stable locally.

However, it was less likely that the gold price would decline, U Kyaw Min, a gold trader from Mandalay, told CNI News.

" Because the gold doesn't go out from the border, it is stagnant. So, the price has been stable. But it doesn't decline because the Yangon Gold Entrepreneurs Association (YGEA) has officially set the reference price over 3.20 million kyats per tical" he said.

Myanmar-India border

Because the Gold Entrepreneurs Association is giving the courses on gold and anti-money laundry free of charge each month, cross-border gold trade and price speculation would die out at all in the market, said the Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association.

However, it was not right that illegal gold export was reduced due to the courses. But the gold export declined due to unstable border trade routes. If the routes were safe again, illegal gold export would resume again through the border.

CNI News

20 December 2023

The Naga Traditional New Year Festival is held on 15th January every year,But not to hold the coming festival and if the festival was held, the security of the festival would not be guaranteed, the Naga People's Defense Force (NPDF) warned in its statement released on 18th December. 

Preparations are being made to hold the festival in the Naga Self-Administered Zone of Sagaing Region.

The Naga Traditional New Year Festival is a festival celebrating the Nagas' friendship, unity, traditional custom and the great history and tradition of the Nagas. 

However, because of the current political situations, it should be considered that celebrating festivals would be become a black mark for Nagas in the history of the future, said in the NPDF's statement.

Year Festival held on 15th January 2023

" While ethnic brothers living in other parts of the country are suffering from the effects of war, if Naga people will be holding the festival, they will not sympathize with ethnic brothers who are suffering from war and disagreements may occur." said in the statement. 

Moreover, the NPDF requested responsible Naga elders and Naga nationalities not to hold the festival after inviting Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing or any senior official of the State Administration Council.

If SAC officials were invited and the festival was held, the NPDF would not guarantee the security of the festival and individuals who organized the festival must be fully responsible for damages, said in the statement released by the NPDF.

While seeing the statement released by the NPDF

The festival is often attended by heads of state and tourists from local and abroad. The Naga Traditional New Year Festival that was held in Lahe Town on 15th January 2023 was attended by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC.

There are Naga armed groups namely the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Khaplang Yung Aung (NSCN-K-YA), the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Khaplang Ang Mai (NSCN-K/AM), the Eastern Naga National Organization (ENNO)/ the Eastern Naga Defense Army (ENDA) and the Naga People's Defense Force (NPDF).