CNI News

15 December 2023

More and more financial frauds have increased among Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, those who are helping Myanmar people there told CNI News. 

Scammers are mainly lying in the matters relating to employment and evidence documents, U Barbu Gyi, a person helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens, told CNI News.

" Many financial frauds are taking place in Malaysia. Mainly, It is Myanmar people who are causing trouble to other Myanmar people. Some Myanmar people call other Myanmar people, saying that they would get jobs. And then, they are put in one place together. And then, they are made to ask money from Myanmar. It's like kidnapping. They are doing like rogues." he said.

This is because Myanmar people are very gullible and act without considering the possibility or impossibility of a matter, pointed out the people helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers

Because employments have been currently scarce in Malaysia and difficulties have arisen, financial frauds probably have increased.

Because the jobs are scarce at present, scammers take the victims to a place after asking 500 to 1,000 ringgits, saying where there are jobs. But when the victims arrived there, there is no job. They get into trouble. If you have a passport, you can apply for a work permit. 

“Scammers forge passports and lie, asking 1,500 to 3,000 ringgits. Soon after the Covid-19 pandemic, new labors were needed. Anyone was employed. But After a new government took power, new labors are recruited according to only G2G agreement. 

Especially, labors from Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines are recruited, but Myanmar workers are not included. There, those who with work permits get jobs. Most Myanmar workers without the permits have been jobless." said U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director of the Center for Arakan Refugees, to CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers

Arrests have increased than before in Malaysia, according to the people helping Myanmar people. Moreover, because a lot of the Covid-19 infections has also significantly reoccurred in the last few days, Malaysian Ministry of Health has requested to resume Covid-19 protective measures.

So, Myanmar workers in Malaysia should follow the Covid-19 protective measures, suggested the people who are helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens in Malaysia.

CNI News

15 December 2023

Myanmar embassies in South Korea and Singapore have stated that when Myanmar expatriates renew their passports at the embassy concerned, they must pay the income tax at the same time. 

The Myanmar Embassy in South Korea has stated that Myanmar expatriates holding PJ (passport for job) holders and PB (passport for business) holders who will renew or have already renewed their passports could pay the income tax for the periods that they wanted to pay.

" A passport is essential to you when you are in a foreign country. People are not very satisfied when they have to pay the income tax suddenly. They are not satisfied with the one-sided statement that was released without study and inquiry in advance. But the passport is essential. They need to renew their passports. They must hold the passports. Only if they have the passports, will they get visas. They have to pay the income tax every six months. They have to pay 32,000 or 33,000 wons for a month as the income tax, I think but I'm not sure. Anyone doesn't come to the embassy separately to pay the income tax." said Ko Khant Nay Kyi, in charge of the center for supporting migrant workers in Busan, to CNI News.

Myanmar Embassy in South Korea

Myanmar embassy in Singapore has been collecting the income tax from Myanmar nationals there since 12th December and only if they have already paid the income tax, will they be able to renew their passports and to carry out other cases, said the statement. 

If Student Pass holders can submit a letter of proof that they are currently attending school, they will be exempted from income tax. Moreover, if taxpayers' spouses, parents and children can present a household list, birth certificate and marriage contracts, they can extend as dependents.

Those who will go back to Myanmar will need to bring letters of recommendation that they have already paid the income tax or that they are dependents or students, said in the statement released by Myanmar Embassy. 

So, Myanmar embassies in other countries will issue statements to ask income tax, said the people helping Myanmar migrant workers.

However, some Myanmar migrant workers are working in Thailand with their passports while others are working without passports but with other documents. So, those with passports are asked to pay the income tax and those without passports probably will be collected in another form, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers

" Baht pink cards which allow you to stay and work are attached to CI (certificate of identity). CI must be applied up to now. CI is issued by the Myanmar government. So, Myanmar citizens need to pay the income tax. If you can stay and work with the documents Thai authorities have issued, you might not pay the income tax. Migrant workers demanded to get a pink card or work permit not very long ago, saying that it would be convenient for them if they had those cards." he said.

U Myint Naung, Union Minister for Labor, explained to Myanmar migrant workers about remittance of 25 percent of the salary to their families in Myanmar and paying 2 percent of the income as the income tax when he met with Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand on 9th December Myanmar migrant workers have to pay the 2 percent of the basic salary to the government as the income tax. 

Moreover, if you renew your PJ (passport for job) and PS (Passport for seaman) or apply for a new passport, you will need to present a certificate of tax clearance in Myanmar, according to the department of internal revenue.

CNI News

15 December 2023

According to the budget information released by the Ministry of Planning and Finance of the State Administration Council in October, the budget deficit is about eight billion kyats for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 

Although there is an annual budget deficit every year, the budget deficit of this year may be more than those of previous years, said business people.

This year, military spending is already rising due to armed conflicts and the government's tax revenue would decrease, pointed out economic commentators.

The action of the central bank to fill the budget deficit must be monitored and the government might counter the budget deficit by collecting tax from expatriate workers and collecting increased taxes from local entrepreneurs, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" There are many ways to fill the shortage of money.  The government can raise taxes. Now it is collecting tax from Myanmar expatriate workers. It should be done as well. But instabilities affect production. The ability to pay taxes is reduced. That's something you should think about. Another thing is to watch how the Central Bank will supply." he said.

While people are waiting in line to buy fuel

The China-Myanmar border trade has almost been suspended for over a month due to the battles breaking out in northern Shan State. Therefore, businessmen point out that there may be a deficit in trade as well. 

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce, there has already been a trade deficit because the volume of imports is greater than exports in the China-Myanmar border trade this year in comparison with the same period last year. 

Despite being able to export goods worth more than 1,543 million US dollars from April to 1st December of the 2022-23 budget year, Myanmar was able to export goods worth 1,430 million US dollars only during the same period of the 2023-24 budget year. 

However,Although Myanmar imported goods worth 277 million US dollars during the same period in 2022, the goods worth 988 million US dollars were imported this year, according to the Ministry of Commerce. 

Trade deficit caused the demand for foreign currency. So, difficulties relating to the fuel which is imported from abroad have arisen in the country, pointed out businessmen.

So, the government was carrying out a plan to put the foreign currencies which have illegally arrived in Myanmar into legal accounts, an anonymous businessman told CNI News.

While seeing an armed force

" The main problem that has resulted from the trade deficit is the fuel crisis. When the foreign currency is in demand, as the Central Bank can't sell the US dollar, it's been difficult in the fuel business. We need foreign currencies on the list that can be legally accepted. But all the dollars that you have cannot be remitted to a Singaporean Bank because there are accounts that are banned or blacklisted. There is black money in every country. Mainly, it's a bit difficult for payment if trade has not been legally done. We need to send a lot of dollars to Singapore so that we can buy things with accounts." he said.

For example, if goods worth 100,000 dollars were exported, fuel worth 100,000 dollars could be bought, he explained.

" For example, Myanmar has exported goods worth 100,000 dollars, fuel worth 100,000 dollars can be imported from abroad. There are dollars earned illegally not through official trade. You cannot put these dollars in the market. They are the money the government has controlled. As it would be convenient if there are exports, it's necessary to buy exports a lot. Buying a lot of exports is not because of wanting money but to get legal money." he added.

Successive governments often counter the budget deficit by borrowing from the Central Bank, selling Treasury bonds as well as borrowing from abroad. Although there are trade deficits and budget deficits every year, they have not reached a serious situation. 
However, it might be difficult to import goods from abroad if the budget deficit comes to increase.

If it is difficult to import the fuel that the public essentially has to be using, the commodity prices surely will rise. So, the government needs to systematically settle the problem, said economic commentators.

CNI News

14 December 2023

The political community is reviewing if the meeting between the State Administration Council and the three northern groups aka the Three Brotherhood Alliance _ the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) change the revolution. 

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and the Three Brotherhood Alliance met in Kunming, China to stop battles through the Chinese mediation.

He wanted all the stakeholders to think about the stability for the entire country and the public also wanted a peaceful country, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) told CNI News.

While seeing people fleeing from Laukkai City due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance

" I accept the peace. I want all the stakeholders to think about the peace and stability for the whole Myanmar. I want China and India to help think about. If the SAC bravely offered a political compromise that would end all armed conflicts, a good result could come out for Myanmar. If the result was wonderful, all the armed groups could transform into a great union army. Most of the stakeholder want the country to be a new stable, peaceful and developed country, I think. This period needs to be the one when we all hate the war. If a public desire for a new, stable and developed country arose and if the SAC and revolutionary leaders believed that now is the time they could leave a good legacy for the next generations and negotiate and consult, a new peace process can emerge strongly. If this happens, the public will welcome it with joy." said Dr.Aye Maung.

The battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance have been taking place severely since the Operation-1027 was launched by the TBA on 27th October. 

Due to these battles, the China-Myanmar border trade has suspended and most of locals are also fleeing to safety. 

If the battles stopped because of the discussion between the two sides, it would be convenient for the IDPs. And then if the roads and bridges could be reconstructed, it would be better for the border trade, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, told CNI News.

While the houses were on fire due to heavy weapons in Theinni Town

" If there is less conflict, there will be less harm and death to the public. If China reconstructs the roads and bridges, it would be better for the IDPs and the public. If the IDPs had to displace for long, they would get into trouble in the cold season." he said.

The battles between the two sides have been breaking out severely although the operation waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance has been over one month long. The operation has been spreading to Kachin State, Sagaing and Mandalay Regions. In addition, the battles between the Tatmadaw and the AA is breaking out in Rakhine and Chin States.

The delegates from the SAC's NSPNC and the Three Brotherhood Alliance met and discussed in Kunming, China on 10th December 2023 and agreed to the temporary ceasefire from 11th to 31st December 2023, according to the individuals close to the two sides.

CNI News

14 December 2023

The State Administration Council possibly invited armed groups to resolve through political means because it didn't want the country not to be destroyed, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party told CNI News. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council said on 4th December that Loikaw in Kayah State was destroyed due to battles and it was difficult to be reconstructed, and in sympathy with the fact that the local people were innocent victims amidst the battles, it would be necessary to find a political solution.

Rulers of the country were finding ways to solve the problem of towns and villages being damaged due to the current battles, said Dr.Aye Maung.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" You might not have sympathy for the victims of war if you had no experience of the war during the domestic conflict that has been 75 years long. The soldiers of the Tatmadaw will see the troubles more. They must have seen that their colleagues lost their lives when they had to fight because of orders without hatred. Towns and villages are being damaged. Because the parents were in trouble, they couldn't send their children to school. The food has run out. The people had to leave their native villages. The people had to flee to other countries as refugees. Due to the battles, Loikaw has been damaged in Kayah State and so has Thantlan in Chin State and so has Pauktaw in Rakhine State. Moreover, Namkham and Theinni in northern Shan State have been damaged as well. Rulers of the country will think about how to negotiate and discuss as an alternative." he said.

Armed conflicts have been taking place in the border areas due to political changes after 1st February 2021. After that, the armed conflict is taking place in the mainland area where the conflict had not broken out before. Solving the political problems by political means was better for both the country and the people, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) told CNI News.

While seeing leaders from the three northern alliance groups

" Solving political problems by political means is better for both the country and its people. If the battles are breaking out, fighters from both sides are all our citizens. The war expenses spent by both sides are also national funds. It will be best to discuss it at the table and settle it." he said.

The Tatmadaw and Three Brotherhood Alliance agreed to a temporary ceasefire from 11th to 31st December because of the Chinese mediation. 

Neighbouring Countries, some EAOs and political parties as well as the UN and ASEAN are trying to solve the domestic armed conflict.

CNI News

13 December, 2023

Because the fuel cannot be bought in Rakhine State at present, it is difficult to reap the rainfed paddy, and if the current situation continues, about half of the state's paddy may be wasted, according to the Rakhine State Farmers' Union.

The Rakhine State Administration Council has closed all entrances and exits to Rakhine State as well as all the roads and waterways inside the state due to the battles breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) since 13th November. So, medicine, foodstuff and fuel are expensive and running out.

As the fuel has run out, rainfed paddy is being reaped by manpower. However, as the number of labors is few, now is the time beyond the period of harvesting paddy. So,  about half of rainfed paddy might be damaged, U Kyaw Zan, chairman of the Rakhine State Farmers Union, told CNI News.

"Although the fuel is not available at a time like this, we have to work as able as we can. Farm workers have been quite scarce. When we are depending on machines, as there is no fuel, we are finding it difficult. If the current situation goes on, about half of paddy probably will be wasted. Or farmers will make a loss due to the quality degrade. The products might not reach the market." he said.

While the paddy is being harvested by manpower

Fuel cannot be bought in most of the townships in Rakhine State and the price of diesel is between 30,000 and 50,000 kyats per liter in the townships where fuel can be bought. The paddy that was reaped beyond the harvesting period cannot be changed into rice, but into broken rice only. So, most of Rakhine farmers. can make a loss reportedly.

Therefore, more and more farmers will desert their farms in the coming rainfed paddy season, U Khin Maung Than, a farmer from Kyauktaw Township, told CNI News.

" The people in Rakhine State suffered from the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Mocha and the civil war one year after another. We will find it more difficult next year. More and more farmers will desert their farms, I think." he said.

The rainfed paddy cultivation area is about 800,000 acres this year and it is grown most in Mrauk U and Kyauktaw Townships. 

Of the paddy currently grown, if half of the paddy was damaged, the townships in Rakhine State where the paddy is not grown a lot would need rice badly, according to the Rakhine State Farmers Union.

CNI News

13 December 2023

Because the Central Bank of Myanmar has allowed the people to trade the dollar freely, the black market could die out and the difficulties of dollar scarcity would be solved, said businessmen.

Authorized dealers, licensed banks have been allowed to trade dollars freely at the market price and buyers and sellers can trade freely, the Central Bank stated on 5th December.

In the past, because the Central Bank designated that one dollar must be sold at 2,100 kyats, there were two prices _ one is the Central Bank price and the other, the black market price. after that, as the Central Bank restricted the price of dollar, exporters and precious stone traders became to save dollars.

Because the Central Bank has allowed the public to trade dollars freely, dollars that were stored will arrive in the market and the dollar black market will die out, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator told CNI News.

People waiting to buy fuel at the fuel station

" The price of dollar can go up anymore. Once the price reaches an equilibrium, the price will not rise above that. And then, dollars will enter the market. Traders have a lot of dollars. If these dollars re-enter the market, the price will reach an equilibrium. if the price of dollar go up, baht and yuan will enter again. The black market would disappear after being able to trade freely. Even the government might not be able to buy dollars because the dollars will be imported. The price of dollar might rise up to 4,200 kyats per dollar. The commodity price will not decline. The price of fuel also may rise up to 3,000 kyats per litre, we have estimated." said U Thet Zaw.

The government has allowed the public to trade dollar freely in order to solve the economic embargo as well as to replace the suspension of border trade with maritime trade, said business people.

Because the dollar can be traded freely, it has become more beneficial to exporters and they can export more products reportedly. On the other hand, it might be difficult for importers depending on the rise and fall of dollar, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

" Because the government has allowed to trade dollars freely, the price of dollar has been much more that 2,100 kyats. So, importers will have more costs. It depends on how they will consider about it to make a profit." he said.

While seeing a basic class

However, because domestic dollar demand will decrease in the long run, it will be easier to import, an anonymous business analyst told CNI News.

" If you have got a lot of dollars, you can import more easily than before. But the price of dollar will go up. It will impact on monetary inflation a bit. On the other hand, exporters can export more products. If the foreign currencies enter the country, it will be the positive effect. If you compare the two, the good is more." he said.

Dollar trading should not have been controlled since before and due to the control, the price of dollar has been higher. Because the dollar trading has been allowed to carry out freely, although the price of dollar is gradually going up, the price will be stable in the long run, pointed out businessmen.

Only if the price of dollar is stable, will the domestic commodity prices be stable. And then, it will be convenient for businessmen to do business. And then, it will be convenient for basic workers to enjoy job opportunities and wages.

CNI News

13 December 2023

The difficulty purchasing the fuel is related to not only the people who own the cars in the country, but also all the people across the country.

So, it was necessary to solve the problem as soon as possible, economic commentators and advisors told CNI News.

If the problem could not solved within two or three weeks, the entire people of the country would suffer from other problems including high commodity prices. So, the problem that is difficult to buy fuel should not be taken lightly, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" Firstly, there may be problems in trade and transportation cases. There may also be a problem in passenger transport. There may be obstacles for the flow of goods. There may be difficulties for manufacturing business. Fuel is not allowed to be stored. But because the electricity is not available regularly, when the generators have to be used, fuel must be stored. And then, big generators are used at banks. When there is a power failure in banks and there is no fuel to run generators, if the banking operations stop, there is a possibility that the country's economy may become chaotic. So, the problem should be solved as soon as possible." said U Thet Zaw.

A fuel station

The problem came after a statement relating to foreign exchange had been released on 5th December by the Central Bank of Myanmar and has been one week long.

In spite of releasing the statement all of a sudden, the Central Bank should notify businessmen in advance so that they would have time to make preparations, pointed out economic commentators and advisors.

" Merchants will not sell their goods at a loss. So, it's like they're gradually selling their goods. People take the problem lightly when it starts taking place. In fact, it probably will be a great problem. The Central Bank alone can't tackle the problem. All related departments need to think about it to take action. Departments are weak in connection with one another. How are they playing politics above? They only know that." Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor, told CNI News.

The farmers will grow summer paddy soon. Farmers use fuel to irrigate, drain and plough. If it was difficult to buy fuel for long, a lot of production could be reduced or no production could be conducted. Eventually, it was likely to face famine, he concluded.

Although the Myanmar Rice Federation has stated that it has planned to make farmers buy enough fuel and fertilizer at an affordable price to grow summer paddy, it must be watched, said Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor.

While it is difficult to buy fuel, roadside shops that sell fuel double or thrice more expensive than fuel stations have arisen. 

People waiting to buy fuel with their cars (Su Myat Htwe)

Because the black market has appeared, fuel stations will no longer sell fuel to buyers who come without cars. However, factories, workshops and companies should be sold in some way as well, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator told CNI News.

"Factories, companies, hospitals and clinics should also be allowed to purchase fuel with quotas. If there is a crisis in Myanmar, depending on the crisis, a class that take the opportunity and make money tend to arise. There are people who line up and resell to make money. Among these people are business people, too. It's not good to do so." said U Thet Zaw.

Because the people who come to buy fuel without cars are not sold, when there was a power failure in a certain hospital or clinic, there would be implications for patients who have to breathe oxygen, pointed out economic commentators and advisors.

Moreover, if fuel can be easily bought, the fuel price can be higher than the current price. So, the relevant authorities should consider the methods in advance about it, they suggested.

CNI News

12 December 2023

The officials from the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) met with the officials from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) in Kunming, China through China's mediation to stop battles. 

Depending on the progress that will result from the dialogue, they will meet again by the end of this month.

" The officials from the NSPNC held talks with the officials from the MNDAA, TNLA and AA with the help of China to find a political solution. Based of the development of this meeting, there will be another meeting at the end of this month." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the information team of the State Administration Council.

The both sides have not stated the particulars that were discussed. The two sides agreed to cease fire from 11th to 31st December, individuals close to the three northern groups (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) and the NSPNC told CNI News.