CNI News

1 April 2024

If Myanmar people who were working in the places that were not designated were arrested by the Malaysian immigration department, it was not easy for them to be released on bail, the people who are helping Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, told CNI News.

If foreigners were arrested in Malaysia, undocumented workers and overstayers only were sent back home. But documented workers who were working in the wrong places were released on bail had to attend court hearings in the past. 
However, later because there are too many people who worked in the wrong places, the restriction like this has been conducted, U Barbu Gyi, a person who is helping Myanmar citizens, told CNI News.

" To tell you the truth, if you have documents and permits and are working in accordance with the documents and permits, there's no problem. Otherwise, if you are working in the different places from those in designated places, you commit a crime. And then, Malaysian authorities will arrest and send you back home. Those who entered illegally, those who have been overstayers after entering legally and those who worked in the wrong places would be arrested and sent them back home, which have been announced by the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs." he said.

Migrant workers who are detained

However, if illegal foreigners were arrested by Malaysian police, depending on the case they were charged with, they could carry out to be released, hiring a lawyer. 

However, it was not easy to be released for those who committed two or three crimes such as undocumented case, overstaying and working in wrong places, U Barbu Gyi told CNI News.

If those who worked in the places that are not officially designated were arrested, relevant agents and employers, they would possibly be released if their agents and employers issued transferred assignments and paid fines. However, it was less likely reportedly. Moreover, agents hardly came and solved the problem reportedly.

Malaysian authorities carry out to send those arrested back home without making contacts to relevant agents, U Aung, chairman of the Malaysia-based Yadana Sekka Funeral Service, told CNI News.

" If Malaysian authorities really work, they can find agents. If they phoned the agents, the agent would come. But because most agents here are Malaysian citizens, the authorities ignored and tried to the workers arrested to send back home." he said.

Because most arrests arise due to the complaints of Malaysian citizens, Myanmar citizens who are working in the places that are not mentioned in the documents and permits should be careful, suggested the people who are helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens in Malaysia.

CNI News

1 April 2024

Dala Township in Yangon Region that experienced water scarcity every year becomes less a little than before, according to locals.

Although the township faced with water scarcity every hot season, there is still some water left in the ponds this year, and because the water is systematically managed in a timely manner, water scarcity has relieved rather than before, U Aye Win, administrator of Raza Thingyan Ward, Dala Township, told CNI News.

" We have systematically managed the ponds. So, the situation hasn't been so bad. We allowed the people to draw the water one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. And then, we study the amount of water. Later, we give the water one hour each day. The water wastage becomes less. In comparison with previous years, we don't find it so difficult." he said. 

Because the ground water in Dala Township is not fresh water, but salt water, people in the township are mainly depending on the rainwater ponds.

While seeing a pond in Dala Township

There are 25 wards in Dala Town, 23 village tracts and 54 villages in the Dala Township whose population is over 162,000.

There are 329 ponds in Dala Township and 124 ponds in the town and 205 ponds in the villages reportedly.

Another pond was dug this year and the pond has been arranged to be a water storage tank, said U Aye Win.

" As a project, another pond has been dug this year. A purified water group donated for the pond. The pond will receive more water in the rainy season. If we get more water, the water will be sufficient for our ward. Later, they will arrange this pond to become a water storage pond and distribute the water." he said.
Although some lakes have already dried up at present, they can still be used. However, If the rains were late, it could be difficult, Ko Moe Kyaw, a Dala resident, told CNI News.

While people are drawing water from a pond in Dala Township

" We can definitely say the situation 15 or 20 days later. If the rains were late, it wouldn't be convenient. The ponds have become shallow. The current situation has not been so bad." he said.

Although water donors tend to come and donate the water to Dala Township every year, they haven't come this year reportedly. 

Water donors are not allowed to donate independently this year and they can donate only after letting ward or village administrators know. So, water donors possibly don't come, said Dala residents.

When the ponds dry up, if the water donors don't come, locals might buy purified water.

CNI News

1 April 2024

Although the Arakan National Party has applied to be registered as a political party for one year, it has not been registered reportedly. The ANP re-applied to be registered as a political party to the Union Election Commission (UEC) in fourth week of March, 2023. 

The party had not been registered because the authorities had an intention, U Thar Tun Hla, chairman of the ANP, told CNI News.

" We have applied for one year in March this year. We have not been registered because they have an intention. We have not been registered since before the battles broke out in Rakhine State. We review it is because they have an intention." he said.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties

The UEC released laws and bylaws relating to political parties registration on 31st January 2023 and political parties must apply to be registered within 60 days.

Among the political parties that applied to be registered, 40 parties have been registered. However, some political parties including the National League for Democracy party (NLD) and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy party (SNLD) did not apply to be registered.

Their party applied for registration in order to politically solve the grievances of the public, but they didn't know why the ANP was not registered, U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the Policy Steering Committee of the ANP, told CNI News.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" The ANP is the party that received the most public support. We carried out in accordance with the law. Our party was formed with a view to that we'll carry out to meet the need of the public. We pointed out politically the need and grievances of the public. We have firmly believed up to now that we'll carry out politically in accordance with the law. We applied for registration in accordance with the law. The UEC will know why it hasn't registered our party." he said.
In the same way, the Mon Unity Party has not been registered by the UEC reportedly. The census-taking would be conducted in 2024 after which a general election would be held and then the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council.

CNI News
30 March 2024

Because of the current armed conflicts, opium poppy has been more cultivated again, which is known from international surveys and seizure of narcotic drugs. In the Southeast Asia Opium Survey, Myanmar is the country which grows most and produces heroin most in the world, according to the UNODC.

Before political changes that started in 2021, the State spent a lot of budget on the opium substitution program and the regional development. So, although opium poppy cultivation was reduced, after political changes, opium poppy cultivation has been higher again.

Although elephant foot yam, avocado and so on were grown in the past as opium substitution crops, at present because of armed conflicts, difficult transportation and lack of market, opium poppy has been grown again, Naung Kham, a Pa-O youth, told CNI News.

" Mainly, opium poppy is grown most around the Manal Mountain and to the east of Hsi Hseng, around the Lwemaw Mountain. Around these mountains, because the main cultivation area contains many mountain-sides, it's not easy to grow other crops. Moreover, even though other crops can be grown, their prices are not high and transportation is difficult. So, other crops are not grown. In the past, elephant foot yam and avocado were grown. But transportation charges are very high and the market of elephant foot yam is not stable. So, opium poppy is grown again because it is easy to grow and it is light to carry it. And battles broke out severely in that region about two weeks ago." he said.

While scraping opium poppy

Opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar was gradually reduced starting from 2015 and it was reduced until 11 percent, according to the surveys of the UN. However, the cultivation became high again starting from 2021. According to the UNODC, opium poppy cultivation has increased by 20 percent per year in Shan State, the main opium poppy cultivation area.

Moreover, regarding the opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar, over 100,000 acres in northern Shan State, over 10,000 acres in Kachin State, about 2,000 acres in Chin State, over 1,000 acres in Kayah State and 600 acres in Sagaing Region have increased than in 2015, according to the report of the UNODC.

Myanmar citizens have chosen the opium poppy to cultivate because of their difficult income, Saw Khun Kyaw Win from the Pa-O National Organization Party, told CNI News.

While scraping opium poppy

" We educate the people not to grow the opium poppy. But we can't tell them not to grow it at all  because there are many organizations concerned. But we carry out opium substitution programs in the places within our reach in collaboration with many foreign organizations and social organizations including the government. But because it's very difficult for the people to earn income, they will choose the method that they can earn income. Mainly, they have the rights to choose." he said.

The price of opium is 800,000 kyats per viss at least and four to six visses of opium can be produced from an acre of cultivation reportedly. The current political situation, the country's economic decline and higher commodity price were pushing local farmers to grow opium poppy, remarked economic analysts.

At present, Myanmar is growing opium poppy more than Pakistan and Afghanistan that were regarded as the biggest growers in the past, according to the surveys of the UN.

CNI News
30 March 2024

Over 200 troops of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) launched an offensive against the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) by bombing over 50 times with drones, the SSPP/SSA reported on 27th March 2024.

The MNDAA force attacked the SSPP column that has been active in Namslut Village Tract and Sae U Village Tract, Theinni Township, northern Shan State by dropping bombs from drones at about 3:00 p.m. on 26th March 2024 and battles broke out between the two sides.

And then, about 200 troops of the MNDAA attacked the SSPP's special military camp by bombing over 50 times from the drones from the farmland near Panna Village, Sae U Village Tract at 9:00 a.m. on 27th March, 2024 and then about 200 MNDAA troops launched an offensive the camp at 11:00 a.m. or so, SSPP/SSA stated.

" The SSPP fought back against the offensives of the MNDAA in a position of defense and it will make efforts to solve the problems through dialogue as able as it can looking forwards to ethnic reconciliation." the SSPP said.

While seeing the MNDAA force

Without the ability to solve the problem through dialogue, if the people in its territory were insulted, it would respond effectively, the SSPP stated.

The MNDAA, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) launched Operation-1027 on 27th October 2023 and made efforts to wage battles to capture  towns and military camps of the Tatmadaw.

After that, the MNDAA captured Theinni, Chin Shwe Haw, Phaungsai, Kyukote, Kunlong, Laukkai,and Kon Kyan, and is establishing an administrative area.

Moreover, any other armed group would not be allowed to be active in the area where it has seized control of, the MNDAA has stated. In the same way, the TNLA has captured Nangsang, Mantong, Mong Ngor, Kutkai, Namkham, and Namtu, and is building administrative territories.

While seeing the SSPP force

Battles might break out at any time between the SSPP/SSA and the TNLA due to the territorial dispute in Namkham Township. Moreover, there is a military tension between the SSPP/SSA and the MNDAA in Theinni Township.

The SSPP/SSA has been active in Muse, Namkham, Kyaukme, Naunghkio, Theinni, Lashio, Kutkai, Namtu, Monghsu, Kyethi, Mongyai, Tangyang, Momauk, Panglong and Yatsauk townships and is building an administrative area.

CNI News

29 March 2024

The role of the Tatmadaw was added to the 2008 Constitution for the ability of preparation to the historical weaknesses, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above at the anniversary celebration of the Tatmadaw held on 27th March 2024 and the role of the Tatmadaw was not for the sake of the Tatmadaw, but for the interests of the country, he said.

" Although the Tatmadaw of every country are different from one another in formation, strength and ambition, they have the same ambition that they must defense their countries. In the same way, constitutions may differ. Constitutions are enacted for the long-term interests. You can't say which constitution is right or wrong because they were enacted based on how their countries were built, their histories, ethnicity, religion, politics, economy and other basic facts. The main ambition of a constitution is national interests. The reason why the role of the Tatmadaw has been added to the constitution is in order to protect in advance from weaknesses that the country experienced in history. The provisions in the role of the Tatmadaw were not for the sake of the Tatmadaw but for the interests of the country." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

The NLD made electoral mistakes in the 2020 general election and tried to take the State power, and in order to prevent those illegal acts, the Tatmadaw took power temporarily, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

According to the 2008 Constitution, the Tatmadaw has got the 25 percent of the seats in the two Hluttaws without having to be elected. Moreover, the Tatmadaw can carry out military operations independently.

Because they did not get their rights politically, the ethnic groups were waging an armed revolution, and adding the role of the Tatmadaw to the 2008 Constitution was a matter that must be solved politically, U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the Policy Steering Committee of the Arakan National Party (ANP), told CNI News.

During the military parade at the Tatmadaw Day ceremony

" Before Myanmar gained her independence in 1948, General Aung San and ethnic leaders signed the Panglong Agreement with a view to establishment of a federal union based on equal rights. But civil wars have broken out since 1949. Ethnic groups waged an armed resistance because, according to their announcements, they did not get their federal rights. Adding the role of the Tatmadaw to the 2008 Constitution is a matter that will be politically solved patiently. And then, the decease has been identified. But the medicine is not at all related to the decease." he said.

The 2008 Constitution was enacted to enable the Tatmadaw to participate in the leading role and any decision could not make if the Tatmadaw did not agree, which some people have reviewed.

The 2008 Constitution was approved on 29th May 2008.

CNI News

29 March 2024

Kachin and Rakhine States including northern Shan State must be effectively stabilized in accordance with the law, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council and the Commander in Chief of the Defense Services. 

He said the above at the 79th anniversary celebration of the Tatmadaw on 27th March, 2024.

The acts of some EAOs and certain foreign-backed organizations were carrying out for the interests of their organizations only but not for the interests of Myanmar and Myanmar citizens, in fact they were trying to destroy to build a union based on democracy and federalism and the events taking place in northern Shan State, Kachin, Rakhine States and some regions were testifying that it was right, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.  

While seeing the TNLA force and the MNDAA force (Myanmar Now)

" They had rights to carry out democratically. But they did it by force. So, the interests of local people were destroyed and school-age children lost their right to education. Their acts are very stupid. That's why security forces including the Tatmadaw, Myanmar Police Force and militias must effectively stabilize the regions whose stabilities were lost in accordance with the law in collaboration with the public." he said.

Saying that the regions where there were armed resistance and waging battles to capture territories would be stabilize in accordance with the law was questionable, pointed out some military analysts.

"I wonder how he will take action against the elements waging armed attacks. Because they aren't afraid of the law, they are trying to overthrow even the Tatmadaw. How will these elements be taken action against in accordance with the law? In fact, the Tatmadaw must carry out, considering how it will regain control of the military camps and towns that it lost control of. Otherwise, it's not easy to do as he said." he said.

While the AA force

The Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February, 2021 and took the State power after saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election.

After that, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing led and formed the State Administration Council after which the council is managing administration, legislation and judiciary. So, democratic elements, NLD members of Hluttaw and some EAOs are fighting against the Tatmadaw to overthrow it.

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) launched Operation-1027 in northern Shan State on 27th October 2023 and waged battles to capture towns and cities.

In the same way, the AA has been waging offensives to capture towns and military camps of the Tatmadaw in Rakhine State since November, 2023. Moreover, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is attacking in Kachin State and Sagaing Region to capture towns and military camps of the Tatmadaw.

Because of these battles, the Tatmadaw has lost control of over 60 townships and over 200 military camps.

CNI News

28 March 2024

Over 300 Myanmar people who did the jobs that Thai citizens only have been allowed to do were arrested during past six months, reported Thai media. 

Because of of doing the jobs that have been designated for the Thai citizens from October 2023 to 18th March 2024, the number of foreign migrant workers who were arrested was 721 and among them, 316 Myanmar people were included.

The reason why they were arrested was because the Thai citizens complained, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

While seeing a service business on the roadside

" Because the Thai citizens complained, arrests emerged. For example, you sell Myanmar products, in fact you are not allowed to sell Myanmar goods, but if you don't compete their market, it's not a big problem. But if you sell the Thai products, they are not pleased with you. And then they complain to the authorities. The problem emerges. Selling goods is just for their citizens." he said.

However, although some Myanmar people are selling goods under the name of a Thai citizen after bribing the Thai authorities, when the Thai citizens complain, the Myanmar people are taken action against.

Restrictions on migrant workers regarding employment should be reformed in the law relating to migrant workers, migrant workers organizations in Thailand have demanded the Thai government, Ko Naing Aung Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.

The current Thai government is to amend the law relating to migrant workers and it can start after Thingyan or in the coming year. However, whether the points demanded are included in the amendments or not have to be watched, he said.

A restaurant on the roadside

" The Thai authorities were planning to amend the law relating to migrant workers every five years and they said they wanted to get some facts and information from most of the migrant workers and the officials from the department of labor came and met with NGOs and workers. We have suggested them to review the case relating to selling goods. Most of our migrant workers draw their salaries once a month. Sometimes, they have to wait 45 days to draw their salaries. Because they don't make ends meet, they have to buy food on credit. So, if they to have buy food on credit from the Thai shops, it won't be convenient for them. Whether the points that we have demanded will be included in the amendments of the law relating to migrant workers must be watched." said Ko Naing Aung Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization.

Most of the foreigners who do the jobs of the Thai citizens are found in Bangkok and there are also some foreigners who do the jobs of the Thai citizens in Phukhet,   Koh Samui, Pattaya, Chiangmai and Mae Sot regions reportedly.

Most of those who were arrested were doing the selling goods on roadside, the haircut, the driving vehicles and the body massage, according to the Thai government.

CNI News

28 March 2024

There will be battles as long as other armed groups are in the territory of the Pa-O National Organization (PNO), Saw Khun Kyaw Win from the PNO, told CNI News.

The PNO has ruled the Pa-O region after it was designated as the Special Region-6. However, about two months ago, because other armed groups entered the PNO's territory, battles broke out, said Saw Khun Kyaw Win who is serving in the PNO's party.

" The Special Region-6 has been formed according to the peace agreement between the then-government and the PNO in 1991. Regarding the territory, there are agreements among the armed groups. Since the State Administration Council has take power, the PNO has carried out for the security of Pa-O region only, But since the two years ago, another armed group entered the Special Region-6 and battles broke out. The PNO has to defense its territory. We regard all ethnic organizations as our friends. We have collaborated with successuve union governments. We don't change the policy. If the other armed groups were not in the Special Region-6, the problems would be resolved. If there are the other ethnic armed groups, battles will be breaking out." he said.

While seeing a PNLO comrade

The battles began between the PNO and the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA)/ the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) and the battles are breaking out up to now. 

The current battles are not between the Pa-O nationalities but to end the military dictatorship, Khun Wai Tun, secretary-2 of the Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC), told CNI News.

" The current battles are not the ones breaking out in the Pa-O region alone, but they are also being waged by the entire people to end the military dictatorship. They are the battles breaking out across the country." he said.

While seeing a place that had burnt in the Pa-O region

At present, the battles are breaking out between the PNO and the PNLO/allies joint forces in Hsi Hseng, Pinlaung and Hopong. Because the directions between the leaders  of the two Pa-O ethnic armed groups are different, she doesn't think that the negotiation will be convenient, a Pa-O youth told CNI News.

“U Aung Kham Hti, leader of the PNO and U Khun Okka, patron of the PNLO _ although there was a contact between the two leaders, the chairman of the PNLO said that the PNLO would participate in the Spring Revolution. It was not convenient. There might be complexity between the two groups, I think." she said.

Because the PNO made peace with the Tatmadaw, the Pa-O region was designated as the Special Region-6. After that, the PNO formed the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone that contains Pinlaung, Hsi Hseng and Hopong Townships and has been ruling the region.