CNI News

12 March 2024

In the situation in which the country was a failed state, leading to annihilate each other was kind of breaking their future, Sai Leik, General Secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) told CNI News. 

Tatmadaw took the State power on 1st February 2021 after which political changes arose. And then, armed conflicts have widely spread across the country.

" Even though our country has been a failed state, the country is going to reach the lowest level. If stakeholders are just aiming to annihilate each other, it will kind of break their future." said Sai Leik to CNI News.

While seeing a construction worker

Because of battles, the people are daily facing economic crisis, transportation difficulty, high commodity prices and territorial insecurity. On the other hand, organizations that have involved in the armed conflict are very keen on annihilating each other rather than solving political problem by political means reportedly.

While battles were more widely taking place, the people were facing various kinds of trouble and relevant organizations needed to meet and discuss, Naing Than Shwe, spokesperson of the Mon Unity Party (MUP), told CNI News.

" Because of battles, the people are finding it difficult to travel and transport goods. Next, there will be a fuel crisis; businesses will be more difficult; prices will be higher. And if battles take place widely, the people will face various kinds of trouble. Stakeholders need to meet and discuss with good will towards the public." he said.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

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, the Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February 2021 and has taken the responsibility of the State after declaring the state of emergency.

And then, some leaders of the NLD and democratic elements launched the Spring Revolution and at present, battles are breaking out in Karen, Karenni, Chin, Rakhine, Kachin States, Sagaing and Magway Regions.

Because of there battles, there has been a decline in the sectors of politics, economy, education, health and so on and it has not been able to be solved reportedly.

CNI News

11 March 2024

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand have been arrested more because of complaints from Thai citizens, Thailand-based those who help in the affairs of migrant workers told CNI News. 

Among the arrests,  the arrests took place more after Thai authorities came to inspect for reporting something suspicious, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

Thai employers are competing one another, so there will be complaints. Another thing, there are organizations, like militia, in which elders of the ward are included in townships. There is already a system to notify if something suspicious such as illegal entry of migrant workers is found. So, authorities came to inspect and arrest. The arrests like that have increased" he said.

Because locals complained that many foreigner migrant workers were working in textile factories and hotel restaurants in Sa Kaeo State, officials from immigration department, police and other departments came to inspect and arrested 25 illegal migrant workers a few days ago. 

A Myanmar migrant who is selling biryani on a sidecar in Thailand

In the past, there were also complaints from Thai citizens regarding Myanmar people who were selling goods on pushcarts and Myanmar citizens who had opened their own shops.  

However, later, the number of Myanmar citizens who arrived in Thailand has increased and they have occupied in the workplaces of not only factories and workshops but also service business reportedly. 

As Myanmar citizens are working in the service business with their own cars, Thai drivers are complaining, according to those who help migrant workers. Myanmar citizens will continue to enter Thailand and complaints might increase, Ko Thargyi who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers, told CNI News.

Myanmar migrant people who are detained in the Tak immigration department

" Some Myanmar people sell goods on their pushcarts and other Myanmar citizens open their own shops. Moreover, some Myanmar citizens are doing ferry business by their own cars for their compatriots and doing business of moving house. And they are buying Myanmar citizens air tickets as well. Frankly speaking, our Myanmar people want to post their businesses online. And then, there are many complaints from Thai citizens regarding it. Local Thai taxi drivers complain against Myanmar nationals who are doing business of ferry for their compatriots after making contacts one another. Thai taxi drivers don't have to work a lot. There are also many complaints as well." he said.

At present Thai authorities are strictly carrying out security operation regarding Myanmar citizens. Moreover, because the number of Myanmar people who are entering Thailand have increased more, Thai citizens are exploiting the current situation by promoting hostel fees and house rents reportedly.

CNI News

11 March 2024

Because of battles breaking out between the Tatmadaw/militia joint forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)/ the People's Defense Force (PDF) joint forces in Kachin State, parts of the trade route have been closed reportedly. 

Bhamo-Lweje road and  Myitkyina-Bhamo road were closed temporarily on 7th March, 2024 when the battles broke out and the roads were open in the morning of 8th March, 2024 reportedly.

As the battles are taking place in Bhamo and Momauk Townships and it was not easy to take out bananas and sugar canes from Momauk Township, it's been difficult to export them to China from Lweje and it was not convenient to pass northern part of Bhamo but it was just okay in southern part, Ko Hein Zin Tun, a truck driver from Lweje, told CNI News.

" I don't know for sure. I heard the roads were closed, but it was said that this morning they were open. I haven't heard of battles taking place in Momauk. But there is military tension there. We can't take out products from there such as bananas and sugarcanes to be sent to Lweje. We can't go through Thandaung and Myothit. Currently, we are going to Ruili and Lweje. To tell you exactly, we can't go from the northern part of Bhamo, but we can go from the southern part." he said.

Because of battles, Bhamo-Myitkyina Road has been closed; because the Bhamo road has been closed, it's been difficult to transport goods to Lweje border trade;  they couldn't go to the banana farms in Hkayan Village, Waingmaw Township, Ko Shan Gyi, a truck driver, told CNI News.

KIA troops

" The battles didn't impact a lot yesterday. But going in and out of banana farms stopped for a moment. It's not easy to go to Hkayan alone. We can go to all the remaining places. As the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road has been closed for the time being, we can't go on that road. If the battles break out in Bhamo, it will be difficult to go to Lweje. We can go to Kan Pite Tee because it is distant from battles." he said.

Because of the fighting on the routes bordering Kachin State and Sagaing Region in February, Myitkyina-Bhamo Road and Mandalay-Bamo Road were closed reportedly. 

Because of battles that broke out on 7th March 2024, locals had to be displaced and it was not safe in Bamo, a Bhamo local told CNI News.

" Bhamo-Myitkyina Main Road has been closed and so has Bhamo-Mandalay Road. People from villages where battles broke out came towards Bhamo. But for the time being, our travelling has not been affected because battles took place around the road that was closed firstly. In fact, we are worried. It's not too safe even in our town." he said.

Due to battles breaking out in Kachin State, trade routes are often closed and trucks are also frequently stuck.

CNI News

11 March 2024

There are reviews among political circles regarding how the diplomatic rivalry between the State Administration Council (SAC) and the National Unity Government (NUG) is. 

The SAC and the NUG have been competing in political, military and diplomatic affairs starting from 1st February, 2021.

There are more than 190 counties in the United Nations (UN) and over 120 countries support and recognize the NUG. On the other hand, only a few countries including Russia and China support and recognize the SAC, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the SAC government

"Among over 190 countries which are included in the UN, 127 countries support the NUG. About 35 countries are non-aligned. China, Russia and some of their followers only support the SAC. I think they are only five countries in total. By looking at this position, which side has the upper hand in diplomacy is obvious. As the ASEAN is a colorful organization. Some countries did what the SAC liked. But because the ASEAN was able to lay down five decisions, it was obvious which side is stronger." he said.

The SAC and the NUG are trying to get recognition from neighboring countries including the UN and the ASEAN. The ASEAN Annual Defense Ministers Meeting held in Vientiane, Laos, on 5th March, 2024 was attended by U Zaw Naing Win, director general of the Defense Ministry's International Affairs Department.

Because the SAC attended the ASEAN Annual Defense Ministers Meeting, it couldn't be said that the SAC has had the upper hand in the diplomatic affairs. According to the 2008 Constitution, the SAC was currently a legitimate government, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing members of the NUG

" In any case, the SAC is a legitimate government. Generals only take the responsibility for The Ministry of Defense. A person wearing the current military uniform attended the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting. It's no wonder. He must be allowed to attend the meeting. So, the SAC has had the upper hand in diplomatic affairs, that we can't say it for sure. According the 2008 Constitution, the SAC is currently a legitimate government which some accepted while others don't." he said.

Having said that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February, 2021 and it has taken the State power after declaring the state of emergency.

CNI News
9 March 2024

Although Malaysia has allowed undocumented foreigners and overstayers to go home with certificate of identity (CI) starting from 1st March 2024, the number of Myanmar people who go home has been still few, Myanmar philanthropic associations in Malaysia told CNI News.

Although there are about 600,000 undocumented foreigners in Malaysia, the number of people who went home was just 800, said the Minister for Home Affairs of Malaysia at a press conference on 1st March.

Because that program has been valid up to December, the number of people who go home might be few and they might be waiting to win job opportunities. Moreover, the ill only were making preparation to go home, U Aung, chairman of the Malaysia-based Yadana Sekka Funeral Service told CNI News.

" For the time being, the number of people who go home still has been few. There was only one immigration department in Johor in the past. But now there have been three or four departments. Everyone is allowed to print their fingerprints in the immigration department in every township. The people who will go home are mostly Nepalese, Bangladeshi and Indonesian ones. They have to wait in line since early in the morning. Myanmar people have not neen among them as yet. According to the current Myanmar political situation, Myanmar people who prepared to go home haven't gone back. For the time being, those who will go home are the ill and pregnant women." he said.

While seeing those who will apply for CI books

Among those who want to go home, the people who has no passports must apply for CIs at the Myanmar Embassy in person.

However, Myanmar people from distant regions find it difficult for the journey to come to the embassy, according to Myanmar philanthropic associations in Malaysia. So, it would be convenient if the embassy opened its branches, Ko Thet, chairman of the Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donors Association, told CNI News.

" Myanmar people from distant places have to come three to five hours in advance to apply for CI. It would be convenient if the embassy opened its branches in other townships. Brokers will be involved. Most of our people don't know how to do such as how to go to immigration department, how to wait in line and how to buy air tickets in advance. Brokers will ask at least 400 to 500 ringgits." he said.

Undocumented and overstayers Myanmar people must pay 500 ringgits for the fine and pay for air tickets as well, Myanmar Embassy stated.

According to that program, undocumented foreigners including Myanmar citizens and overstayers have been allowed to go home. So, arrests have been reduced in Malaysia reportedly.

CNI News
9 March 2024

In exporting bananas to China through Kan Pite Tee border trade since the banana season this year, because of unlicensed trucks entering from China, Myanmar truck owners are finding it difficult, said truck drivers.

Because banana farm owners are using unlicensed vehicles from China to export bananas, the number of times that Myanmar trucks carry bananas is decreasing.

Compared to the same period last year, Myanmar trucks had carried banana 20 times from November, when the banana season started, to March. However, at present, because of unlicensed Chinese trucks, a Myanmar truck has carried banana only eight times, Ko Htut, a truck driver from Kan Pite Tee, told CNI News.

" We can't carry banana many times because there are many unlicensed trucks here. Banana farm owners and Chinese people have bought unlicensed trucks. It's difficult for our licensed trucks. So, we have to go down until Mandalay and carry pumpkins and watermelons. We had carried banana more than 20 times at a time like this last year. But this year, we have carried banana only eight or nine times at most."he said.

While seeing tissue bananas

The number of unlicensed trucks that entered from China is about half of Myanmar licensed ones and some of Myanmar licensed trucks there have been parked reportedly. Some Myanmar trucks went to Mandalay and carry watermelon and onion from Mandalay.

Although the truck owners have to get a lot of money for transporting goods from Mandalay, having to pay the checkpoints along the way was a lot, said truck drivers.

In comparison with unlicensed Chinese trucks, the number of times Myanmar licensed trucks carry banana has been reduced about half. So, he wanted authorities to control unlicensed Chinese trucks, Ko Shine Way, a truck driver from Kan Pite Tee, told CNI News.

 " The number of unlicensed Chinese trucks is about 30 to 40. It is about half of licensed Myanmar trucks. Chinese traders and banana farm owners have bought these unlicensed trucks. Some of our trucks go down to Mandalay and carry goods such as watermelon and onion from there. It's not difficult to go down to lower part, but there are so many checkpoints along the way. So, we have to pay a lot. Now about two third of our licensed trucks go down to carry goods from lower country. It is convenient for us if authorities can control unlicensed trucks. If they can't, when unlicensed trucks have carried banana six times, we have only three times." he said.

Tissue bananas grown in Waingmaw and Myitkyina Townships, Kachin State are being exported to China through Kan Pite Tee border trade and banana season is from November to June reportedly.

CNI News

8 March 2024

The amendment of the law regarding political parties by the Union Election Commission was making preparations to seize the properties of political parties kind of, Sai Leik, general secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), told CNI News.

A party which is designated to be void automatically because of not re-applying for party registration or a member of a party who is not lower than the position of a central executive - if one of them broke the Sub-Subsection (4),(5),(6) or (7) of the Subsection (a) of the Section 12, the properties of the party must be deposited to the department or the organization designated by the government in accordance with the way designated, the UEC stated on 5th March, 2024.  

The amendment of the law needed to verify whether a person's action represented the entire organization or not. This was not a fair law, said Sai Leik.

While seeing Sai Leik, general secretary of the SNLD party

" This law, to tell you frankly, is the one that has amended the law they stated in February. If a CEC of a party that doesn't re-register violates a law they have enacted, the property of the party will be seized, according to their law. They should review whether it's reasonable or not. They have to review whether an individual's crime or activity represents the entire organization." he said.

"In my opinion, this is not a reasonable law. No matter it was stated by the UEC or the State Administration Council (SAC), they are looking for a reason to confiscate the property of major political parties that don't re-register." he said to CNI News.

Political Parties Registration Laws and Regulations were stated by the UEC on 31st January 2023 and political parties must register within 60 days, according to the law. However, some parties including the NLD and the SNLD did not re-register.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and leaders of political parties

There was no reason for the criticism of the amended Political Party Registration Law and they had given the list of properties that their party own, U Kyaw Aung, from the Ta'ang National Party (TNP), told CNI News.

" Our party has nothing to criticize it for the time being. As they define. We don't re-register. We have given the list of our party's property including money and office supplies. We don't want to talk about it anymore." he said.

After the UEC had told political parties to re-register, more than 40 political parties have been registered.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC said the census would be taken in 2024 and a general election would be held after which the State power would be handed over to the winning party.

CNI News

8 March 2024

Some factories and workshops in Mae Sot, on the Thai-Myanmar border, were dismissing legal workers for no reason and hiring illegal ones, Ko Thargyi, a person who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers. 

Doing like this was for the interests of factories and workshops and the factories and workshops hired illegal workers, saying labor certificates would be issued and then, their salaries were being underpaid monthly from the time when they started working, he added.

" Because illegal migrant Myanmar people from all walks of life have entered Thailand, employers have dismissed their legal workers in their factories for no reason. A few days ago, a factory that produces glass frames dismissed 70 workers. And then, it has hired workers who entered illegally, asking 2,00 to 3,000 baht for fee for job application. Many problems like that are taking place in Mae Sot." said Ko Thargyi.

While Thai authorities are checking Myanmar workers

Such situations arose because a lot of Myanmar people stay in Mae Sot as well as more and more absconders from Myanmar are entering. Moreover, as Thai citizens realize the administration situation in Myanmar, they were exploiting the situation, those who are helping migrant workers reviewed.

Moreover, Thai authorities are fining Myanmar people who enter Thailand through the No.1 Friendship Bridge between Myawady and Mae Sot with border pass from 1,500 to 3,000 baht reportedly. Although there is no shortage of jobs in border areas in Thailand, many workers are working without having set rights and wages there, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

"There are plenty of jobs in areas related to tourism in the season like this. Jobs are available in factories, workshops and farms as well. But those who are working without getting fixed rights and wages have been more." he said.

While seeing a workshop

Thai officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Home Affairs have carried out more strictly monitoring and inspection in wards and townships for the security, he added. 

Although most Myanmar people sneaked into Thailand through Phayathonsu and Myawady-Maesot gateways in the past, Kawthaung-Ranong border gates are being used just now by many Myanmar people who enter Thailand illegally. 

And then, many of them are being arrested reportedly.

CNI News

8 March 2024

If there were armed people on the border trade route, traders could not only encounter obstacles in the way of trade but also experience increases in financial costs, reportedly. 

Discussions are being made in order to re-open China-Myanmar border trade and the State Administration Council (SAC) is talking about not being any armed groups along the border trade route.

" There are gates or check points of seven or eight armed groups on the trade route including the Tatmadaw, the KIA, Shan and Ta'ang. Moreover, there are still checkpoints of armed groups that arise later. We don't have to pay not more than 10,000 at the Tatmadaw's checkpoint. But we have to pay 200,000 kyats at least at the checkpoints of so-called revolutionary organizations. So, because there are so many armed groups on the trade route, it's impossible to make commodity price fall." said U Nay Myo Win, an importer, to CNI News.

While seeing the policemen inspecting the trucks

Because of the money paid to the armed organizations, the traders had to raise the prices and sell to the customers. So, the customers only were mainly affected, said traders. The main border trade routes of Myanmar are Myawady-Thailand, Muse-China, Tamu-India and Rakhine-Bangladesh routes, and all of them are stagnant due to battles.

Trade costs are rising exponentially because armed groups are asking money on the way to Myla and Tachileik border gates in eastern Shan State as well as Kan Pite Tee and Lweje border trade gates in Kachin State.

" Regarding trade, Myanmar is depending on the border trade. As along as you can't make the border trade routes safe and smooth, it's not sure to develop within 10 years to come because Myanmar has no direct trade with Europe and the US. If the trade routes were safe and smooth, exporters would make a reasonable profit, the State's GDP would increase as well and the people can buy goods at a reasonable prices." said U San Naing, a watermelon trader, to CNI News.

While seeing trucks

Although armed groups ask money on the trade routes, any armed group didn't guarantee the security for traders and truck drivers, said truck drivers.

" If armed groups ask money, we must pay them. But no armed group guarantees for our security. No one guarantees what will happen within one mile ahead. We have to go after inquiry for our livelihood." said Ko Htet Naing, a truck driver, to CNI News.

There are Myanmar Tatmadaw, Militia, Border Guard Force, the People's Defense Force, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Arakan Army (AA) on the border trade routes of Myanmar.