CNI News

7 November 2024

Myanmar brokers have monopolized most jobs in Malaysia, Myanmar philanthropic associations in Malaysia told CNI News. 

Moreover, the number of Myanmar brokers in Malaysia has increased and not only who did business of ferry service, have other Myanmar citizens also worked as brokers, chairman of Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donor Association, Ko Thet told CNI News.

" Job opportunities are scarce. Available jobs have been controlled by brokers. Everybody is a broker kind of. A factory worker works as a broker if there's a vacancy in his factory. Myanmar people came to Malaysia to work, borrowing money. When they arrive here, they have to pay the brokerage here in Malaysia. Moreover, some brokers cheat. Some Myanmar girls were bought. Some girls were asked to work as housemaids. Wages for one year, 5,000 or 6,000 ringgits were taken by brokers. Brokers tend to be those who have been in Malaysia for four or five years and above." he said.

While migrant workers were arrested

There are good brokers while bad brokers who don't take responsibilities and accountabilities, according to Myanmar philanthropic associations in Malaysia.

Because jobs are so scarce, although philanthropic associations connected workers to employers, because the workers didn't go whenever the employers want, the workers tend to hire brokers to find jobs, chairman of the Yadana Sekka Funeral Service, Ko Aung told CNI News. 

" Brokers aren't typical ones. Drivers do the business of a broker. They take the transportation charges as well as brokerage. They might send workers to bad factories knowingly. They take from 600 to 800 ringgits per head. Because the factory was bad, 3 or 4 days later, if the workers ask them another job, they take any more of brokerage. They are wicked like that." he said.

While seeing those who were working in a factory in Malaysia

Rather that arresting illegal workers with a plan, due to the Malaysian citizens' complaint, arresting are being conducted more. 

Moreover, because the Malaysian Immigration has announced that three places in Selangor Province would be checked, illegal Myanmar workers should take care of staying, suggested the philanthropic associations in Malaysia.

CNI News

7 November 2024

As battles are severely breaking out in the Ann township, Rakhine State where the West Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw is located, some are asking questions about how important Ann is for the military and economy. 

Ann was strategically important, member of the policy steering committee of the Arakan National Party, U Tun Aung Kyaw told CNI News.

" Ann is really pivotal. The West Command is located in Ann. The command was strategically built when the mainland government ruled. But now when the people across the country don't accept the government, strategic calculations regarding Ann were wrong. There are about 300 villages in Ann Township. The military council can't control all the villages. It is only in Ann. If the military council lost control of all villages in the township, the command would be broken." he said.

While seeing the Arakan Army (AA)

Moreover, if the Myanmar Tatmadaw lost control of Ann Town, as there are international investments and projects in Rakhine State, India and China would have to talk with the Arakan Army (AA), added U Tun Aung Kyaw.

" Economically, as soon as the Myanmar Tatmadaw loses the military command in Ann, India and China will need to talk with the AA because India's Kaladan River Project is located in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State. Moreover, China's two ocean project is in Kyauk Phyu." he said.

Besides, the trans-border petroleum and natural gas pipeline project has been linked from the west coastline in Rakhine State, Myanmar to the western provinces in China through the northeastern Shan State.

The project passes 22 townships in Rakhine State, Magway, Mandalay Regions and Shan State, and its total cost is over 2.45 billion US dollars.

Moreover, the Kaladan River Project is being built, linking Mizoram Province, India with Sittwe Port and it is a trade route that contains roads and waterways through Paletwa Town, Chin State.

While seeing the Myanmar Tatmadaw

Battles could be more severe because Ann is important to both sides, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News. 

" Ann is very important to both sides. Most of the territories in Rakhine have been captured by the AA. Ann only is left. The military council has considered that it will defend severely from Ann, I think. The AA will have to attack severely, I think. I heard the AA has surrounded Ann." she said.

The AA had said it would protect China's interests since it launched its military operations; both sides would not hurt or would not dare to hurt or should not hurt the interests of China, pointed out military analysts. Battles are severely taking place in Ann, Maungdaw and Taunggoat Townships between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA.

At present the AA is launching offensives in Ann, Maungdaw, Gwa and Taunggoat Townships in multitude while it has surrounded and blocked Kyauk Phyu, Manaung and Sittwe Townships. Some Chin armed groups, the SAF and armed forces from the Spring Revolution are fighting for the AA.

CNI News

7 November 2024

Although the government has designated that 25 percent of eight kinds of imports including rice, oil crops, rubber and aqua products must be exchanged at the rate of the Central Bank of Myanmar in the past.

At present 25 percent of export earnings from onion, garlic, pulses, oil crops and fruit must be exchanged at the rate of the Central Bank starting from 1st November 2024 whether they are exported through border trade or by sea and the 75 percent can be exchange at the market price.

Designating like that could decline the onion market and buying onion to export could decrease as well, Ko Tin Hain, an onion trader from Myingyan, told CNI News. 

" Because the tax that has to be paid has turned higher, the market can decline. Exporters can't buy a lot of onion. Buyers who will export onion are watching kind of." he said.

It could impact on the onion market to an extent, depending on the onion remnant; at present the price of onion was without up or down, said U Moe Kyaw, an onion trader.

While seeing trucks carrying watermelons

" In my opinion, there could be an impact on the onion market, depending the onion remnant. It will take about 90 days to make new onion get to the market. There will be repercussion to an extent. That's why the price hasn't gone up anymore starting from the day when the news came out, I think." he said to CNI News.

However, the change regarding export earnings from fruit would impact a little on fruit traders,  Ko Thitsar, a watermelon and cucumber trader told CNI News.

" In the border trade with China, there are companies that provide service to the traders in the matters regarding the duty on the Myanmar side. Nine out of ten traders work with the companies. So, this designation regarding export earnings impacts a little on the traders." he said.

35 percent of export earnings from rubber, corn, pulses, oil crops, aqua products, animals and related products, rice, broken rice and sugarcane must exchange at the price designated by the Central Bank starting the end of 2023, imposed the government. 

After that, only 25 percent of the export earnings must exchanged at the price designated by the Central Bank, released the government in August, 2024.

At present, export earnings from cotton, cane, bamboo, pulses, onion, crops, metal and ore minerals, and other minerals must be exchanged at the price designated by the Central Bank.

CNI News
6 November  2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing met with Prime Ministers of Laos and Cambodia and discussed the issue of Myanmar, stated the Information Team of the State Administration Council.

Chairman of the SAC discussed with Lao PM  H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone at HUALUXE Kunming Hotel, and with Cambodian PM  H.E. Mr. Hun Manet in Green Lake Hotel in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China on 6th November.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing is attending the 8th Great Mekong Sub-region Summit Talk, the 10th Ayeyarwady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategic Summit Talk and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Cooperation Summit Talk on 6th and 7th November. He also discussed with leaders from other countries who attended the summit talks.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with Cambodian PM

While meeting with Lao and Cambodian PMs, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing discussed latest developments of the Myanmar political situations and the matters relating to a free and fair multi-party democratic general election with them.

After that, chairman of the SAC discussed about the Myanmar's best cooperation in the ASEAN and the Myanmar's participation in the ASEAN meetings as well as situations needed to solve the current conditions peacefully.

In the same way, he also discussed the matters relating to the promotion of the trade, investment, tourism, social condition and culture between the two countries.

CNI News
6 November 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing who has arrived in China to attend economic meetings met with Chinese citizen businessmen in Kunming, Yunnan Province on 5th November 2024.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council left for China together with associate secretary of the SAC General Ye Win Oo, member of the SAC and advisor General Nyo Saw, some union ministers, and chief ministers from Yangon, Tanintharyi and Ayeyarwady Regions on the morning of 5th November.

And then, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and party met with Chinese citizen businessmen in Kunming and discussed the economy and investments.

In the same way, he will attend the 8th Great Mekong Sub-region Summit Talk, the 10th Ayeyarwady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategic Summit Talk and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Cooperation Summit Talk on 6th and 7th November.

After that, he would meet and discussed with officials of the Chinese government, stated the information team of the SAC. They reportedly would discuss the matters regarding friendship, economy and multi-sector cooperation between the two countries and among the people from the two countries.

At present, battles are severely taking place in northern Shan State and Kachin State, both sharing a border with China between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA-the MNDAA-the TNLA-PDFs. Due to these battles, China-Myanmar border gates have been closed down and trade between the two countries has stopped.

CNI News

6 November 2024

If salary earners working abroad transferred 200,000 dollars and above to their families in Myanmar within one year, they would be permitted to import an EV car that was equal to 25 percent of the money transferred, which was impossible for migrant workers, those carrying out for the issues of workers told CNI News.

It was impossible for migrant workers to transfer 200,000 dollars within one year; the amount designated was too much, they pointed out.

Because EVs were allowed to be imported depending on the money transferred like that, some businessmen might approach to migrant workers, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Right Foundation (LBR) told CNI News.

" Because some migrant workers are educated, they might be approached by businessmen to import EVs. But it won't be easy to link with basic workers, I think. It's not easy for ordinary workers in Thailand to save 50,000 dollars. But without mainly aiming at workers in Thailand, it might intend to workers in developed countries such as South Korea, Japan and Singapore. A Myanmar worker in Thailand earns 300 baht a day. But they have to spend on food, accommodation, water, electricity and so on. It's not really easy to save 50,000 dollars." he said.

Apart from salary earners, other income earners - if they could transfer 50,000 dollars and above to their families in Myanmar, they would be permitted to import an EV or EV motorcycle that was equal to 25 percent of the money transferred, released the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok.

While migrant workers were standing in line to carry out things necessary in the Myanmar Embassy to Thailand

Moreover, if a worker couldn't afford alone to import an EV car or motorcycle, EVs could be imported collectively by three or four workers, said in the statement. 

If the government really wanted the workers to import EVs, only after the survey of the Myanmar workers in foreign countries was conducted, should the amount of money transferred with one year be designated, Ko Khant Nay Kyi from the supporting center for migrants and migrant workers in Busan, South Korea, told CNI News.

" As the basic salary, a Myanmar worker in South Korea earns 2,000 dollars. He earns 25,000 dollars at most a year. It's not possible for them to save 200,000 dollars a year. The government has already known the incomes of Myanmar workers in foreign countries. So, it needs to reduce the amount transferred if it wants the workers to import EVs." he said.

At present, the matters regarding the money transferred to families have been tightened in the Myanmar embassies, some workers are transferring money through legal channels while others, through the Hundi system because there is a wide gap between the exchange rates.

Moreover, most workers are reportedly interested in the EV import permit because the amount of money that has to be transferred is too much.

CNI News

November 4, 2024

There are some people who point out that the discussion that makes both sides convenient should be conducted and those who are asking what could be the discussion that could make both sides convenient as well. 

Th discussions must be conducted step by step, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, an NCA signatory, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" Political dialogues can be held in different forms. It can be conducted step by step. But the way everything that is mixed up can't be. We'll have to start the things that are possible for both sides to agree. Especially, it will be easier to start discussing with EAOs and EROs. And then, the NUG/PDFs will be discussed with. Otherwise, we have to talk through delegates. If we can choose the UN or China or the ASEAN or Thailand as a mediator, we can be convenient. Without overcoming these steps, it's very difficult to make the general election that will be held next year arise." he said.

When these steps only have been overcome already, common political agreements are reached and election must be supported as a political exit of the entire country, pointed out military and political analysts.

The UN's Special Envoy to Myanmar, Ms. Julie Bishop met and discussed with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) in Naypyidaw, she said at the UN Assembly on 29th October, 2024.

While the Union Election Commission was meeting with political parties

She urged the Myanmar's neighboring countries and the ASEAN to use their influence on Myanmar and implement the five point consent as well as urged Myanmar to lead and find an answer to the conflict at the UN Assembly.

All the stakeholders must think about beyond the layout in which one side must beat its rival decisively, expressed Julie Bishop. 

Generally, although the means that made both sides convenient was the election democratically, all the armed organizations needed to take part in the election, Director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

" Considering generally, the means that will make both sides convenient, according to the path of Myanmar currently going, if we want democracy, we have to go there through the election. The UN says diplomatic speech. One side must not beat the other decisively. But all the armed organizations need to want to take part in the election, which is important. If they walk on the path of democracy, they'll have to run the election. And then, they can rule their own region. According to the constitution, matters relating to territory, natural resources, development and so on can be carried out only at the Hluttaw. But if armed means is used, the means that can be resolved can't easily emerge at all without bloodshed or casualties." he said.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with Ms.Bishop

If the armed means was being used without accepting the invitation to political dialogues, it would be almost unlikely to arise the election or an answer that could make both sides convenient, said political analysts.

The SAC was making preparations in order to be able to hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election in 2025, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC.

At present, armed conflicts are taking place across the country while there are territorial instabilities and has no rule of law. So, it is said that it is less likely to be able to hold the election.

So, the SAC needed to attempt to end armed conflicts and to have territorial stability and rule of law so that the election could be held, said political parties.

CNI News

5 November 2024

Myanmar EAOs, the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), political parties and representatives from peace supporting organizations started their trip to India on 4th November.

The trip contains 10 political parties, chairman of the NSPNC Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, secretary of the NSPNC Lt-Gen Min Naing, U Hla Maung Shwe and U Kyaw Lin Oo from the CPR, and the representatives from six NCA signatories.

The discussion on constitution and federalism will be held from 5th to 6th November and the trip will be finished on 7th November. They are making attempts to build a union based on federalism and democracy.

CNI News

5 November 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, would go to China to attend economic meetings, released the Information Team of the SAC on 4th November.

He would go to China in a few days at the invitation of China, said in the statement.

During his trip, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing will attend the Great Mekong Sub-region Summit that will be held from 6th to 7th November, the 10th Summit on Ayeyarwady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Cooperation Summit Talks.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

And then, he would discuss with officials of the Chinese government, said in the statement. He reportedly would discuss to strengthen multi sector cooperation including friendship and economy between the two governments and among the people from the two countries.

At present, battles are severely taking place between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA, the MNDAA, the TNLA, the PDF joint forces in northern Shan State and Kachin State both of which are sharing border with China. Due to these battles, China-Myanmar border gates have been closed down and border trade activities have stopped