CNI News

15 March 2024

Name lists of young people whose ages are suitable for military service are being collected through village administrators. Because of filling out and collecting name ists, anxiety among young people is increasing day after day.

And then, some youths have left for foreign countries; some are going to their relevant EAOs and some, to PDFs, said youths. 

" I want the conscription law to be suspended. Because ethnic armed groups forced their people to serve in the military, parents sent their sons to cities such as Yangon, Mandalay and Sagaing. Now that the government has imposed the conscription law and forced the people to serve in the military like EAOs, we are expelled from the country. No citizen will be hesitant to do a military service.to protect from foreign enemy. We don't want to be sacrificed in the civil war in which our citizens are fighting against one another. We want authorities to understand the future that young people want to be and the attitudes of young people." said a young man in Yangon.

While seeing the form that must be filled out for the military service

The civil war has been breaking out since March, 1948 in Myanmar. EAOs have forced their people to serve in the military during the civil war. Now the Myanmar Tatmadaw has started implementing the conscription law after stating that the law has taken into force on 10th February, 2024.

So, even though armed people are proclaiming that they are building the country, turning a blind eye to the future of youths and the type of country that youths have wanted should be re-examined, pointed out youths.

The Tatmadaw would start enforcing the mandatory military service law at the end of April; the Batch No.1 would be started with a population of 5,000 and 20,000 recruits would be called each year, Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the State Administration Council, told CNI News.

While seeing the TNLA force

Legal action would be taken against those who joined EAOs and other armed groups, he said.

However, the government cannot take action against those doing military service in the ethnic armed groups. 

Moreover, those who were detained and taken away by the armed groups to force them to do military service were not able to be protected in accordance with the law, pointed out some politicians.

CNI News

14 March 2024 

Among the Myanmar citizens who are undocumented or overstayers, there are more people returning from illegal routes than ones who officially return with CI (certificate of identity), those who are helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens, told CNI News. 

Those who didn't want to officially go home with CI were afraid of conscription law that has been approved in Myanmar and chose illegal routes, U Barbu Gyi, a person who is helping Myanmar citizens, told CNI News.

" Those who will go home with CI cannot return to their countries at once. They have to wait two weeks or one month. A lot of people who couldn't wait any longer have chosen illegal routes to go home. Next, there are many young men who are afraid of going home legally because the mandatory military service law has been approved in Myanmar. Some of them are worried that they will be arrested at the airport." he said.

While seeing illegal workers in Malaysia

Myanmar people who will apply for CI have to wait in line together with those who apply for passports, which causes delays. Moreover, because Myanmar people who are undocumented or overstayers from various regions of Malaysia have to come in person to Myanmar Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, they found it difficult on the way.

So, if Myanmar Embassy made appointments through online like ones from other countries, it would be more convenient, suggested Myanmar organizations in Malaysia.

So, Myanmar Embassy stated on 12th March 2024 that it would provide service to issue CIs within daytime with a system of making appointment through QR code starting 18th March 2024.

While seeing those who are waiting to pay the fines

However, although the validity of a CI in the past was two months, because it is only one month at present, those who want to go home don't have enough time, U Aung, chairman of the Yadana Sekka Funeral Service, told CNI News.
"Waiting in line takes us from one to three weeks. The valid period they have allowed is still short. We must find agents. We have to carry out to get CI within one day. If we have to go home in two weeks once the fingerprint is pressed after applying for CI, we can't do so. If we have to go home within 14 days, only after staying 12 days we have to. When you press your fingerprint on the CI, if the one month given by the embassy is full, you will be in trouble. Immigration department will fine you. If you applied for CI, they would issue a copy only.  An office of the Myanmar Airways International has been open in the embassy. Only when you buy the air ticket, they would issue the original." he said.

Malaysian authorities started the migrant repatriation program which allows undocumented foreigners and overstayers to go home without prosecuting them from 1st March until the end of December. 

However, the number of Myanmar citizens who go back to Myanmar with CI are still few and only unhealthy people are mainly going home reportedly.

CNI News 

14 March 2024 

If the liberation attempt of each region cannot be combined with those of other regions, 2024 wouldn't be the decisive year to overthrow the military dictatorship, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

Whether the year 2024 would be the decisive year that the National Unity Government has said or not depended on the NUG's strategy and ability to attack, he said.

"The NUG is carrying out actively in the revolutionary movement after proclaiming the 2024 will be the decisive year. There are also somewhat progressive developments in many aspects. But whether the year 2024 will be the decisive year or not depends on the ability of combination among regional liberation attempts, collective strategy and the ability to attack effectively. If the NUG didn't so, its proclamation wouldn't be consistent with the reality." said U Than Soe Naing.

While seeing the TNLA force

The year 2024 would be a landmark year when the Tatmadaw will be obliterated at all, said Mahn Win Khine Than, Prime Minister of the NUG at the meeting of the Union Hluttaw held in February, 2024.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA,TNLA and AA) was able to capture most of the towns in northern Shan State during its Operation-1027 that was launched on 27th October, 2023. And then, the MNDAA and the TNLA were able to seize control of their territories after which the TBA and the Tatmadaw agreed to ceasefire in northern Shan State at the mediation of China.

At present, the NUG and all ethnic alliance organizations were trying to end the military dictatorship, combining armed resistance and public struggle; they should not
content with armed resistance status and needed to produce better military results, said Duwa Lashila, Acting President of the NUG.

It was necessary to arise an all-inclusive political dialogue for the ability to establish a peaceful union after overcoming political crises, Saw Kyaw Nunt, spokesperson of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), told CNI News.

While seeing the members of the NUG

" We believe that we are able to build the peace of the union that will be a good heritage for the next generation after overcoming the current political crisis. So, we are making efforts with all the strength and organizations we have. in order to overcome unprecedented difficulties and crises that the entire nation is facing and in order to arise an all-inclusive political dialogue, how can we start carrying out? How can we approach to get international aids? We are making attempts to implement these things through various difficulties." he said.

Currently, battles are severely breaking out between the Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw as well as between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Tatmadaw to seize control of territories.

Organizations involved in armed conflict are focusing only on obliteration each other rather than making dialogues, which could more adversely affect the country, said politicians.

CNI News

13 March 2024

Although rubber produced from Mon and Karen States was being exported through border and seaborne trades in the past, at present because battles are breaking out along the roads going to border trades, exporting through the border has been suspended, according to rubber entrepreneurs. 

The rubber produced from Mon, Karen and Tanintharyi Region is being exported to China, Thailand and other countries.

Exporting rubber through Chinese and Thai borders has not been okay. So, it is being exported through seaborne trade only reportedly. Although the global price of rubber has been high at present, because of transportation difficulties, the price of Myanmar rubber is falling, U Tun Min Naing, a rubber entrepreneur from Mon State, told CNI News.

" We exported rubber through both the border trade and the waterway. But border trade has been suspended. Moreover, because the export earnings policy has been often changed by the Central Bank of Myanmar, exporters don't buy rubber a lot anymore. Although the global price is high, the price within Myanmar is falling. So, we are in a very bad situation." he said.

While some rubber is being dried

Although rubber could be transported freely in the past, now checkpoints ask for documents regarding rubber and if the documents could not be shown, rubber could be seized or the checkpoints ask for some money. So, rubber traders and farmers are finding it difficult.

Because the rubber farmers have to pay the amount of money checkpoints ask, they have to sell their rubber at a lower price than it deserves, added U Tun Min Naing.

" In the past, according to the law, we could transport rubber freely. But now, when we transport rubber, if we can't show the full documents, our rubber can be seized. So, we have to pay at the checkpoints. In fact, farmers have to pay the amount of money that is paid on the way. The farmers have to be selling their rubber at a lower price than it deserves." he said.

Moreover, because the export earnings policy has been changed every so often in the current fiscal year, exporters are making a loss and rubber export has been reduced as well reportedly. 

While rubber is being scraped

So, regarding rubber export in this fiscal year, it would not be in a position to export the target tonnage, U Khaing Myint, secretary of Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers Association, told CNI News.

" It won't be in a position to export the target tonnage of rubber this fiscal year. According to the export earnings policy, exporters didn't make a profit, 80,000 tons of rubber could be exported in November, 2023. At that time, if you exported one ton of rubber, you would make a loss. Many exporters made a loss. So, as a pilot project, 70 percent of export earnings was allowed to be spent in order to import fertilizer from 1st December to 31st March. And then, exporters made a profit and rubber export has increased again." he said.

Although rubber entrepreneurs are trying in order to reach the global sales level, they have not been able to do so due to the political situations in Myanmar. Due to the decrease in rubber exports, domestic rubber prices are also decreasing.

Due to the decrease in rubber prices, rubber entrepreneurs are finding it difficult to increase the wages of rubber workers. Rubber workers went to Thailand and are working there because they can get higher wages.

So, Myanmar rubber industry would face scarcity of workers more in the coming rubber season and the productivity would be reduced, said rubber entrepreneurs.

CNI News

13 March 2024

The death of U Shwe Min, patron of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) was a loss for the Lisu people, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Dulei Party, told CNI News.

Their Dulei Party was saddened by the death of U Shwe Min and a person like U Shwe Min who could point out EAOs decidedly was rare, he said.

" Our party is saddened by the death of our patron and so are the entire Lisu nationality because a person like him who dare to tell EAOs decidedly is rare. He told some EAOs daringly risking his life that they tortured or killed Lisu people. So, his death caused a great loss to the Lisu people." said U Li Paw Reh.

While seeing U Shwe Min at the NCA signing ceremony

The motorcar in which U Shwe Min and his men were riding was attacked by the KIA/PDF joint forces near Aung Myay Thit Village on 7th March, 2024 and U Shwe Min was killed. 

The death of U Shwe Min was a loss for the Lisu people and the Lisu Literature and Culture Association was saddened by the death of a Lisu nationality, an official of the association told CNI News.

" His death is a loss for the Lisu people. To tell you the truth, there might be an EAO near my house. You can't say what you want to because all the walls have ears. But we are sorry for his death." he said.

While seeing U Shwe Min while he was serving as the leader of the Lisu Militia

U Shwe Min's home in Myitkyina  was attacked on 15th January 2024. 

" We know the attitude of young Lisu people although they don't express. Some of them express their sorrow and resentment online. The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) assassinated our leaders who worked for them and they denied. But young Lisu people have realized that the KIO is going on like this." said U Li Paw Reh.

U Shwe Min, former chairman of the Dulei Party, took responsibility as the patron of the party and served the leader of the Waingmaw Militia. 

U Shwe Min won the minister for Lisu nationality affairs in the 2020 general election and Thiri Pyanchi Title conferred by the State Administration Council. 

It was U Shwe Min who was demanding to get the Lisu Autonomous Region in Kachin State.

CNI News

13 March 2024

As there are people who got into trouble due to the shortage of jobs on the Chinese side, Myanmar people should not go to China through border gates, philanthropic associations in Muse told CNI News. 

Moreover, human trafficking was found more, claiming that Myanmar people can get jobs on the Chinese side, an official from the Beautiful Heart Philanthropic Association in Muse, told CNI News.

" When you get to the Chinese side, you can't get a job at once. Brokers will say that you can get a well-paid job on the Chinese side and lie to you. They even pay you for the cost of travel. And then, they will sell you. The number of people who were sold like that has increased a bit more. Honest girls living far from cities or ones who have never travelled may be sold. Frankly speaking, girls or boys should not go to the Chinese side to work without having a reliable contact or friends or without connecting with a reliable employer. Not only girls but also boys get into trouble. Some of the people who returned from China are found to be ill or chronic patients and ones who suffer badly. If you don't have enough money to receive treatment, you will find it difficult." he said.

While seeing Myanmar citizens sleeping on the platform

Some Myanmar citizens have to sleep on the platforms, waitin to get jobs in Ruili Town on the Chinese side and there are many arrests reportedly. Moreover, those who came from Muse on the Myanmar side with temporary border pass (TBP) would be allowed only if they had recommendation letters from a labor office starting from 5th March 2024 reportedly.

At present, being difficult to get jobs on the Chinese side was because the incoming population was very large and the available jobs were very few, an official from the Kan Let Ku Nyi Philanthropic Association in Muse, told CNI News.

" There are about 200,000 job vacancies for example. But the number of people who entered is between 200,00 and 300,000. In fact, it's hard to let you do a job for long rather than finding the job. Although you get a job, you are not allowed to do the job for long. 

While seeing Myanmar citizens

You will be fired for many reasons within a month because your supervisor won't let you do the job for long. He or she wants to hire people from his native town or those who will pay him." she said.

Myanmar citizens are entering the Chinese side with red books whose validity is one year long or TBPs, and overstayers are being arrested by Chinese authorities reportedly.

Because the number of Myanmar citizens who enter the Chinese side is too many, wages are being reduced reportedly.

CNI News

12 March 2024

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) launched an offensive on 11th March, 2024 for the stability and peace of Pinlebu Town, Sagaing Region, a control territory of the Brigade-614 of the SNA. 

Thohanbwar Column that contained hundreds of troops of the Brigade-614 was trying to to seize control of Pinlebu and was able to control the town in the evening of 11th March and was carrying out clearance operation, said an official from the SNA.

" Thohanbwar Column of the SNA's Brigade-614 that contains troops by the hundred has started its offensive in Pinlebu. Now it has already arrived in the town and deployed its security forces there. And it's carrying clearance operation. The column had to wage a battle against the KIA/PDF joint forces before arriving in the town." he said.

The SNA is being active in Khamti, Homalin, Pinlebu, Banmauk, Wuntho, Kawlin, Tamu, Mawlike, Shwe Pyi Aye, Phaungbyin and Indaw Townships, Sagaing Region as well as in Mohnyin, Mogaung, Karmine, Indawgyi and along the railway, Kachin State.

Inside these territories, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the People's Defense Force (PDF) and the Kuki National Army (KNA/KNO) have been active.

 So, battles are breaking out between these forces and the Tatmadaw and the territories have been unstable. And then the SNA is carrying out for the peace and stability of the territories.

While the SNA is carrying out for the peace and stability of the territories, it is waging battles against the KIA, the PDF and the KNA. 

The SNA is an EAO that is making an effort to get the Shanni State as well as to achieve ethnic equal rights.

CNI News

12 March 2024

The price of pure gold within the country is between 39 and 40 lakh kyats per tical and the skyrocketing price of gold like that affects all classes, according to gold market analysts. 

Due to the increase in the price of gold, foreign exchange rates are also increasing. Because of increase in foreign exchange rates, the prices of imported goods have also increased.

Although the increase in the price of gold didn't impact on the people directly, it was directly affecting the public, Ko Nay Lin, a gold market analyst, told CNI News.

While seeing the homecoming time of people from the basic class

" Anyone who has enough money can buy some gold. Although you might say that those who don't have enough money are not related to the gold price, when the prices rise and fall, it impacts on other places. So, you can't say that the price of gold isn't related to everyone. It impacts on everyone more or less. It is directly related to the dollar price. What is related to the dollar is export and import. What is related to imported products is consumer goods we are using. Now, even imports from abroad are limited. One is allowed to import only goods worth three hundred thousand dollars. So, the rise and fall of the price of gold impact on everyone more or less." he said.

Although gold entrepreneurs were called and inspected by authorities concerned to bring down the price of gold last year and this year, in addition to having no effect, the price of gold is increasing year after year.

The price of pure gold that was about 13 lakh kyats per tical in 2020 has reached until 40 lakh kyats at present. Because the rise in gold prices was a consequence of monetary inflation, it was not east to control; if the monetary inflation went on existing, the rise in commodity prices affecting basic class would go on, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

While food products are being sold

" Rise in the price of gold is no problem because you can't blame the rise in gold prices alone. Its main cause is monetary inflation. It affects basic class. The middle class and upper class hold gold or dollars because of monetary inflation. During the past two or three years, the rate of monetary inflation is too fast. Its rate of inflation is faster than those of gold and dollar. All things considered, the main culprit is inflation. So, it will affect basic class." he said.

It was necessary to improve the economy of the country so as to bring down the rising prices of gold, foreign currencies and commodities because of monetary inflation, and the economy would only be good if the political situation was good, pointed out businessmen and economic analysts.

If the political and economic environments continue like this, domestic commodity prices will continue to rise.

CNI News

12 March 2024

While undocumented Myanmar people and Myanmar overstayers were going to Myanmar Embassy to apply for certificates of identity (CI) in order to go home, they were being extorted at the checkpoints on the way by Malaysian authorities, Myanmar organizations there told CNI News. 

If there were checkpoints of Malaysian authorities on the way to the Myanmar Embassy, the authorities threatened undocumented or overstayers Myanmar people that they might arrest in order to get some money, U Aung, chairman of Malaysia-based Yadana Sekka Funeral Service, told CNI News.

" If you explained your reasons to the authorities, they would release you. But you need to pay them at least about 200 ringgits. They tend to threaten that you have no CI now. So, you are illegal. They say they can arrest you. And then, you have to pay them. Malaysian police wait and arrest at the places about five meters away from the embassy. So, we complained to the embassy about it. The embassy guaranteed that we would not be arrested in the compound of the embassy." he said.

While seeing Myanmar workers

The Malaysian government implemented a repatriation program from March 1 for undocumented workers to return home without being prosecuted. Undocumented foreigners or overstayers can return to their home countries after paying a fine of 500 ringgits only when they got CI from the embassies of their countries.

However, the reason why Myanmar citizens were being asked money was because Myanmar Embassy has designated the process in which CI must be applied in person, U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director general of the Center for Arakan Refugees (CAR) told CNI News.

"The number of Bangladeshi people who returned to their country are more than Myanmar people. But Bangladeshi people can apply for CI through online. They don't have to come to their embassy in person. So, they can get CIs ASAP. If you have held your CI, you won't be arrested. If you travel without CI, you can find it difficult on the way." he said.

Although Malaysian authorities have designated to implement the repatriation program from 1st March to the end of December, the number of Myanmar people who return to their home country still has been few and the ill only are making preparations to go home reportedly.