CNI News

25 July 2024

It was necessary to use the means of discussion while fighting in order to end the internal conflict and achieve peace, Sao Khun Sai who was participating in the peace process, told CNI News.

Armed attacks alone could not be the answer, but both discussion and attack were needed to be conducted at the same time, he said.

" Can the problem be solved by fighting alone? Can the problem be solved by discussion alone? In fact, the problem can't be solved by fighting alone or by discussion alone. If you use only these two means at the same time, you'll find an answer. There is a direct way to obtain victory. And there is also an indirect way to obtain victory. But if it's necessary to use both ways at the same time, you can obtain victory, which were told by Sun Tzu, a Chinese military general, strategist, philosopher, and writer. So, we need to do so." said Sao Khun Sai.

While seeing the MNDAA force

Non-Bamar ethnic groups have been launching armed revolution for equal rights and rights to self-determination since 1948 when Myanmar gained her independence and the internal armed conflict started.

Although civil war has been breaking out for over 70 years, it could not solved. During efforts were being made to achieve peace, because of political disagreements on 1st February, 2021, battles have been breaking out across the country.

Because there was no emphatic solution to ethnic issues since before, the current situation arose; as the armed culture flourished, the conflict could take so long, U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the policy steering committee from the Arakan National Party (ANP), told CNI News.

While seeing some KNDF comrades

" If ethnic issues were emphatically solved with a good will from the start, we wouldn't reach the current situation. The situation has been difficult and widespread. We can't imagine how to solve it. Political frame is very narrow while armed culture has flourished. How to solve it is beyond my ken. We may take a long time in order to solve the problem, I think." he said.

Some EAOs, some political parties, ethnic elements, ASEAN and some international organizations are making attempts so as to be able to solve the internal armed conflict. 

However, organizations involved in armed conflict are trying to win their enemy outright rather than sitting at the political roundtable.

CNI News

25 July 2024

As a lot of migrant people or IDPs from many parts of the country have arrived in Yangon to avoid battles, new workers have become abundant in the factories and workshops, those who provide service in the affairs of workers told CNI News. 

Because new workers have become abundant, although workers are not scarce. most of them are not skilled workers, Ma Myo Myo Aye, a person who was carrying out the affairs of workers, told CNI News.

" Most of the people who arrive in Yangon are from the regions where battles are currently breaking out. They have never done the jobs here in Yangon. The jobs they can get without too much difficulty are those in the garment factories. So, they are trying to get jobs in the garment factories. But they are not skilled laborers. Employers train them. But those who entered the workplace recently are impossible to be skilled workers. But some don't become skilled workers although they were trained." she said.

While seeing IDPs

Because there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who migrated to Yangon, the demand for job opportunities is also increasing. Despite the influx of new workers, it is reportedly difficult for people without work experience to find a job.

Although there have been a lot of new workers in the garment factories and workshops, they were rarely found in restaurants, said U Ne Lin, owner of a restaurant, told CNI News.

" It doesn't make much difference to us yet. At present, more migrant people have arrived in the wards. But because I don't need to recruit for my restaurant, there is no obvious change for me. I don't know about other restaurants." he said.

While seeing workers at a factory

At present, factories are paying different daily wages 4,800 Kyat or 5,800 Kyat or 6,800 Kyat, depending on workplaces. However, those without work experience earn less wages only. 

On the other hand, skilled workers are demanding employers to raise their wages reportedly.

CNI News

July 24, 2024

The name of the President would be used in the exercise of State Power, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the State Administration Council (SAC) on 23rd July, 2024. 

Because Acting President U Myint Swe was in bad health, he handed over the role of Acting President to Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC to take responsibility of the president on 18th July, 2024.

And then, questions whether Chairman of the SAC Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing would administer in the name of Acting President or the chairman of the SAC emerged.

" In relation to the question whether Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC and Prime Minister, will administer in the name of Acting President or the chairman of the SAC, it was included in the statement that was released yesterday. The responsibilities of the Acting President was handed over to the chairman of the SAC in order to carry out the matters relating to the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC). So, according to the Section.431 of the constitution, the NDSC would use the name of the President in the exercise of the State Power." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC.

While seeing Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun

And then, according to the Section. 419 of the constitution, the SAC and the government only would carry out the matters regarding legislation, administration and judiciary, he added. At present, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing is serving the roles of chairman of the SAC, Prime Minister, Commander in Chief of the Defense Services as well as Acting President.

So, the SAC would go on carrying out the five-point road map and the nine objectives that it has laid down and he wanted to emphasize that the ultimate goal of the SAC, a free and fair multi-party democratic general election would be held without fail, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun on 23rd July, 2024.

The SAC has said that it will conduct the census-taking from 1st to 15th October, 2024 and hold a general election in 2025.

Arms conflicts are currently taking place across the country and the people are fleeing to safety as well as the rule of law is declining.

CNI News

24 July 2024

In sending Myanmar workers to Japan, women workers are being mainly sent rather than men, overseas employment agencies sending workers to Japan told CNI News. 

Foodstuff industry, restaurants and homes for the aged are largely offering jobs, an official from an overseas employment agency for Japan told CNI News.

"There are job vacancies. But in Myanmar there are limitations relating to sending workers abroad. In sending workers abroad, girls outnumber boys because girls have to work in factories. Boys are needed for construction sites only. At present, there are more interviews for girls who are mostly skilled workers. It's not been clear what the situations of boys are. Moreover, men between 23 and 32 are banned from working abroad." he said.

A meat and fish workplace in Japan

So, agencies are calling those who are free from age limits and woman workers. Japan has been calling more Myanmar woman workers than Myanmar man workers since before.

"Boys have less chance to work abroad because of an age limit. But later, many boys might be called to work in hotels. But those who are free from an age limit must be interviewed." said an official from an overseas employment agency.

At present, the Japanese companies have offered 440 demand letters for Myanmar workers, stated the Myanmar Embassy to Japan in Tokyo. 

The embassy verified facts and information that have been described in the demand letters and informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of that reportedly.

CNI News

24 July 2024

There have been reviews and discussions among political circles regarding what could be done after Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) took over the role of Acting President.

While Acting President U Myint Swe was absent from his responsibilities because he had taken medical leave, he handed over the role of Acting President to the chairman of the SAC on 22nd July, 2024 so that the matters relating to the National Defense and Security Council could be carried out.

The SAC's extension to the state of emergency will expire on 31st July, 2024 and the meeting of NDSC must be held on that day. 

Because the current Acting President had taken a medical leave, the Acting President was needed at the meeting of the NDSC that would be held on 31st July 2024, the Chairman of the Karen National Democratic Party Mahn Pyi Aung Soe told CNI News.

While seeing U Myint Swe

"If he is not given the role of acting president, who will be given? There are different opinions about that. As for me, we have to watch. Rumor had it that the role of the Acting President would be handed over to Ex-President U Thein Sein who paid a visit to China or the Commander in Chief of the Defense Services would be handed over. Now the C in C has taken over the role of Acting President. In the past, the Acting President and Vice President were able to attend the meeting of the NDSC. But now, the Acting President and Vice President are no more. If the meeting was held, C in C and Acting President would be the same person." he said.

Because of political change that started on 1st February,2021, the SAC has taken the responsibility of the State for over three years. 

As the chairman of the SAC has all current powers, although he has taken the role of Acting President, it doesn't mean that he has got any more power, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

"It's just another name. In fact, all powers have been in his hands. So, it's not necessary to hand in another power to him. But he might use the name of the President when the orders and announcements are released." he said.

After saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February, 2021 and took power after announcing the state of emergency.

The Chairman of the SAC took over the role of Acting President because of the bad health of Acting President U Myint Swe in order that the matters relating to the NDSC can be carried out.

CNI News

23 July 2024

Although over 80,000 undocumented Myanmar people were arrested in Thailand within one month, there are still many Myanmar people who are coming through illegal routes,  those who are providing service for the affairs of migrant workers told CNI News.

The reason why a lot of Myanmar people are entering Thailand through illegal routes was not because Thailand persuaded them or the people did not violate the law but the Myanmar's poor governance has pushed to do so, U Aung Kyaw from the Labors' Rights Foundation (LRF) told CNI News.

" This is also because of our country's poor management. The conscription law that every grownup must do a military job is pushing youths to go abroad. The MoU system called G to G was good. According the system, youths could go to Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand freely through agencies. But now as those who will go abroad through agencies have been restricted, this is a push to make youths go abroad illegally." he said.

While the Thai authorities were examining the documents of migrant workers

The Thai authorities are implementing the 120-day special operation to arrest undocumented foreigners and checked the workplaces in many parts of the country and arrested over 100,000 undocumented workers.

Among those arrested, over 80,000 were from Myanmar, and over 10,000 from Cambodia, over 7,000 from Laos, over 1,000 from Vietnam and over 3,000 from other countries reportedly. 

Although the Thai Ministry of Labor has announced that it will issue work permits for illegal foreign workers, because the exact date has not been stated,more and more workers from other countries are entering Thailand through illegal routes reportedly.

Most of those who arrived illegally are mainly staying and working on the Thai side in the border region and they have not fully got officially designated wages up to now, a person who is staying and working in Thailand told CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers

"Because there is a demand for workers, the Thai employers are hiring new workers as able as they can. On the other hands, the Thai governments has imposed various laws relating to foreign workers. The laws are related to wages. Wages are designated, depending on the economic growth of a district. Daily wages are designated 363 Baht in Bangkok and Samut Sakhon and 322 Baht in the border areas. But workers have not enjoyed full wages designated up to now." he said.

Among those arrested, 473 Myanmar citizens would be prosecuted and punished because they illegally entered, worked without permission and worked in jobs where there was no rights for them to work reportedly.

The Thai authorities have officially released the 120-day plan that will take actions against migrant workers who don't have complete evidence and the actions contain arrests, fining and sending them back to their native countries. 

The implementation of the plan was launched in June.

CNI News

July 23, 2024

Acting President U Myint Swe handed over the role of Acting President to Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council on 22nd July, 2024, reported the SAC. 

The SAC reported earlier that U Myint Swe was receiving medical treatment, taking medical leave because he was in bad health.

In order to go on carrying out the matters relating to the National Defense and Security Council and because of failing to perform the duties of the Acting President who has taken medical leave, while the Acting President is unable to serve his duties, the role of the Acting President would be handed over to the chairman of the SAC, said in a letter sent by the office of the Acting President to the office of the SAC.

Transferring the matters of the NDSC and the responsibilities of the Acting President to the chairman of the SAC was performed with signing on 22nd July 2024 after the notification was sent, reported the SAC.

Six months was extended to the state of emergency in January 2024 by the NDSC and the extension will expire on 31st July 2024.

The meeting of the NDSC will be held on 31st July 2024 and whether the state of emergency will be extended for another six months or what to do next will be discussed at the meeting.

U Myint Swe served as the Acting President since 1st February 2021 when the Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government after saying the NLD was trying to form a government without resolving the ballot dispute in the 2020 general election, until June, 2024.

At president, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing is serving the responsibilities of the Acting President, the Prime Minister and the Commander in Chief of the Defense Services.

CNI News

23 July 2024

The six month extension of the state of emergency by the State Administration Council (SAC) led by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing will have expired on 31st July, 2024 and so, there are some reviews among political circles regarding what changes the SAC might make. 

The state of emergency was extended for another six months at the meeting of the National Defense and Security Council that was held on 1st January, 2024.

Because the six month extension will expire on 31st July, 2024, there are reviews and discussions regarding whether the state of emergency will be extended for another six months or a transitional government will be formed.

The current Acting President U Myint Swe had to undergo some surgeries and continues to suffer from nervous weakness. So, after taking medical leave, he is receiving healthcare at home and his health condition has not improved. 

While seeing the National Defense and Security Council

Moreover, he has not been able to do daily routine movement including eating foods, stated the SAC.

It was impossible to predict what changes would be made by the SAC, but a big change could be made, Col.Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News.

" There are different opinions. Personally, I can't estimate, but a big change can be made." he said. 

Acting President U Myint Swe who is receiving medical treatment might be replaced with President (retired) U Thein Sein, review some people.

The state of emergency would be extended for another six months by the SAC so that census-taking could be conducted in October, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) told CNI News.

" Only if the state of emergency is extended for another six months, could the census-taking be conducted in October by the SAC. I'm just telling the necessity. Another six month extension will reach until 31st January, 2025. And then, only if any more of six months is extended, can we pass through the rainy season. Elections are likely to be held in November or December, 2025." he said.

After saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without resolving the ballot dispute in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February 2021 and has taken the State power after announcing the state of emergency.

According to the current situations, because it was necessary to continue to carry out the anti-terrorism and not a normal situation, Acting President allowed to extend another six months.

CNI News
19 July 2024

Because Acting President U Myint Swe's health condition has not improved, he is receiving close healthcare, the State Administration Council (SAC) reported on 18th July 2024.

Acting President U Myint Swe has suffered from slow movement and the ability to eat a small amount of food since early 2023.

So, he has received regular medical treatment from the medical team that contains specialists, said in the statement.

According to medical checkups, he was suffering from muscle twitch and nervous degeneration. So, he was sent to the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre in Singapore and he received brain and neurological examination and treatment from 15th to 19th April, 2024.

 After that  he received medical treatment at the No-2 Tatmadaw Hospital (1,000 Beds) from 27th May to 18th June, stated the SAC.

"During those periods, he received cataract surgical treatment and his vision improved. However, because he has been continuously suffering from nervous weakness disease, taking medical leave from 18th June to 30th July, he is receiving close healthcare from the special medical team” said in the statement.

Minister for Health Dr.Thet Khaing Win and a special medical team that contains eight specialists conducted a medical checkup on 30th June and on 14th July and found that his health had not improved.

Because he was not able to do daily normal movement including eating food, the SAC made arrangements to provide him with close healthcare everyday, stated the SAC.

U Myint Swe was Vice President (1) under the NLD government and after the NLD was overthrown on 1st February 2021, he became Acting President.

As the six month extension of the SAC for the state of emergency will expire on 31th July, 2024, it is interesting to know whether the SAC will allow U Myint Swe to retire or what to do next, the political circles are reviewing and discussing.