CNI News

28 May 2024

Myanmar workers legal or undocumented in Malaysia are getting the amount less than basic salary officially designated, those who provide social assistance told CNI News. 

Although basic salary of Malaysia is 1,500 Ringgits (1,300,000 Myanmar Kyats), the workers are not paid at that rate.

Moreover, It is still difficult for the workers to enjoy the job opportunities and jobs are still scarce at present. Factories where wires have to be chosen which Chinese nationals  have opened still didn't need any workers, Ko Thet, chairman of the Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donors Association, told CNI News.

" Basic salary of Malaysia is 1,500 Ringgits. But even officially called workers get 900 or 1,000 Ringgits only. Some overstayers or undocumented workers were employed but they were not paid. When the employers need workers, officially called workers are often employed. So, when our citizens arrive, they can't enjoy job opportunities. In the past, Myanmar workers rarely worked in palm oil farms, but now they can't even get jobs in the farms." he said.

Arrests are being conducted again in many parts of Malaysia at present and officials come to restaurants and shops opened by foreigners and arrest in mufti rather than in uniform, according to those providing social assistance in Malaysia.

A construction site

Due to a lack of job opportunity, brokers in collaboration with the agents in Malaysia found house maid jobs for young women and acted like selling them after taking money from landlords or landladies reportedly. 

Moreover, some people are getting into trouble until they have to sleep on the roadside because they have no food and accommodation. Most Myanmar citizens drink alcohol and some locals complain as they don't accept this behavior reportedly.

" There is a problem that Myanmar workers complained. They told me that they had been in Malaysia for about five months. They were taken to Malaysia after being told that they would get 1,500 Ringgits. They work in a manner one day work and one day off, but they get 900 Ringgits. Although employers and agents told them that they would get 1,500 Ringgits after three months, it didn't make any difference as well after three months. These workers protested without going to work. What I want to tell the workers at present is that they should take care of going or coming and go on working at their present jobs with patience in spite of low-paid salaries." said U Barbu Gyi who is helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, told CNI News.

If someone wanted to come and work in Malaysia, he or she should have a close relative or reliable friends who had arrived there. Most of the people who get into trouble came to Malaysia as they trusted what brokers told them reportedly.

CNI News
May 27, 2024

The Indian security forces were supporting the Kuki National Army (Burma) and launching a proxy war, stated the Naga Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Chishi Swu/Muivah (NSCN-IM). The KNA-B in collaboration with the People's Defense Force (PDF) fought against the Naga armed group and Meitei armed group in Myothit, Tamu Township. And then, the NSCN-IM accused India of supporting the KNA and PDF and waging a war against the Naga groups.

" Although the Indian security forces are supporting the KNA-B and PDFs and launching a proxy war against the NSCN, the Naga army didn't carry out anything to fight against the KNA-B. Moreover, the Naga army has no reason to go against the PDF. The situation taking place on the India-Myanmar border is that India is using a secret war or a proxy war to fight against the NSCN. The Indian security forces, including Assam Rifles and reserve forces are fighting against the NSCN using the name of the KNA-B." stated the NSCN-IM.

The reason why India was doing like that was because it didn't want the Naga armed groups to base in Myothit, Myanmar, said in the state released by the NSCN-IM.

While seeing the statement released by the NSCN-IM

" The Indian security forces are obviously supporting the KNA-B to fight against the Meitei revolutionary groups that has based on that place. The Indian security forces have allowed the Kuki militant groups that are active in Tengnoupal District, Manipur State to enter Myanmar and to fight against the Meitei revolutionary groups." it said.

At the bloody war against the Naga groups, the Indian security forces are using the Kuki force as a vanguard and fully supporting it, said the NSCN-IM. Although the NSCN-IM that has signed a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government for 27 years took care of the Indian government's propaganda war, the agencies of the Indian government went on attacking the NSCN-IM, said in the statement.

While the KNA-B seized the arms and ammunition owned by the Meitei armed group

India is cracking down on Naga and Meitei armed groups. The accusation saying that the Indian government was supporting the KNA-B was not true, stated the KNA-B.

Joining with the PDFs, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), the Chin National Front (CNF), the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF), the KNA-B is fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw and other armed groups in Tamu, Kalay and Khampat.

CNI News

27 May 2024

Since 2018 the Myanmar -China trade has been tilted in favor of China. In FY 2018-19 the trade imbalance stood at USD 1266.423 Mn. This imbalance has continued till date.

In 2019-20 the difference was USD1309.122 Mn, in 2020-21 it was USD533.519Mn, in 2022-23 the difference stood at 1613.354 Mn USD and in FY  2023-24 was USD1696.455 Mn. (FY 2021-22 being year of Mini Budget).

The export items from Myanmar includes basic materials viz Natural Gas, rubber, Green Mung Bean, Rice, other Agri products, Seeds, ores and Fisheries, while imports include Cotton Fabrics, fertilizers, Industrial goods, Vehicles, Electric Goods, Chemicals and Plastic etc. It also indicates pathetic conditions of Myanmar manufacturing sector where as they import mostly furnished goods.

The data available is only the official figures but real matter of concern is illegal or unaccounted export of Myanmar’s natural wealth to China in the form of precious materials like Gold, Jade and rare earth minerals. Myanmar contains 9% of world’s rare earth minerals, which are not exported officially or utilized to uplift deteriorating Myanmar Economy but are being smuggled to China.

A “Memorandum of Understanding on the “Establishment of the Working Group for the Promotion of Smooth Trade” between Myanmar and China was signed on 18^th Jan,2020. The agreement was renewed on 24 Jan, 2024. In order to address the issues of bilateral trade Myanmar sent an official letter to Chinese Embassy on 11^th May, 2023, requesting for a meeting of Working Group of Smooth Trade, which has not been responded by Chinese authorities till date.

In order to get access to Chinese markets, Myanmar regularly participates in Trade Expo, seminars etc. In 2022-23 Myanmar duly participated in China-ASEAN Expo, Lashio-Lancang Border Trade Fair, China-South Asia Expo and China Kunming Export-Import Expo.  

Chinese influence in Myanmar Economy is deep rooted to such an extent that has put China in a dictating position wherein all the major actors viz. SAC, EAOs and NLD are following Chinese wishes. Myanmar is helpless and has no alternative to counter trade imbalance with China.

CNI News

27 May 2024

Although the salt production in Mon State could be promoted more than last year, because the price has declined, salt farmers are finding it difficult reportedly. 

Although the production cost was higher, because the price of salt was not higher, some salt farmers are facing losses and salt farmers are finding it difficult to produce salt any more in the coming salt production season, U Hla tin, a salt farmer from Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State, told CNI News.

" Salt caught rain about three times in the hot season. And because the price of salt is low, it's not convenient. Salt caught rain three times in the hot season. But this year, the salt yield is 20,000 or 30,000 tons more than last year. But this year the price is low. If it goes on like that, a lot of salt can't be produced in the coming year. Moreover, the production costs including labor charges and much more money for diesel are so high, but the price of salt doesn't go up. We, salt farmers, are finding it difficult. It will be convenient only the price reaches over 200 kyats per viss." he said.

While seeing a stove boiling brine to get salt

Although the price of salt was 200 kyats and above per viss at a time like this last year, now the price is only 150 kyats per viss. 

So, it would be convenient only if the price was above 200 kyats per viss because the production cost was high, said salt farmers. Although the salt produced in Mon State was being distributed to Karen State, Tanintharyi and Mandalay Regions, the use of salt has declined in Tanintharyi Region because the aqua product industry decreased there reportedly.

In the same way, when the salt from Mon State is bought, because the transportation charges are higher, salt buyers from Mandalay Region are buying only the salt from Ayeyarwady Region reportedly. So, Mon State's salt market was almost broken, and a large amount of salt had remained, said salt farmers.

While seeing a salt production workplace

Not only is the salt to be eaten, it was also necessary to build large factories such as paper mills that use tons of salt, Ko Naing Hu, a salt farmer from Thanbyuzayat Township, told CNI News.

" Because the Sittaung Paper Mill has been suspended, the supply of salt was about 20,000 tons reduced a year. If there were factories like this in our state, the factories wouldn't have to worry about salt as a raw material. Finished products could be sold to the government, companies or foreign countries as an export. If we have to produce salt only for the domestic market, we might find it difficult every so often." he said.

Although an MoU could be signed to export 30,000 tons of Myanmar salt to South Korea, about 5,000 tons only have been exported, and the remaining tons of salt have not been ordered reportedly.

CNI News
26 May 2024

Although the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPJDC) will be regrouped, there are questions among political circles regarding whether the regrouping like that will work or not.

Representatives for the political group of the UPJDC will be elected on 25th and 26th May, 2024 in order to make the peace talks between the political group and the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC).

15 representatives out of 47 parties that have got registration from the Union Election Commission (UEC) will be elected to regroup the political group reportedly.

whether the UPJDC would work or not depended on the invitation of the State Administration Council (SAC) and the EAOs, and their party would meet and discuss in order to resolve the current crises, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party), told CNI News.

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

" In the past, the UPJDC was made up of 48 members of the committee. 16 from the political parties group, 16 from the EAOs and 16 from the government, the Tatmadaw and the Hluttaw, but now there has been no Hluttaw, so 16 from the Tatmadaw Government. Later, its name was changed into the NSPNC. The 48 representatives will lead and hold peace talks. I under stand so." he said.

Their seven NCA signatories have grouped for the UPJDC and political parties group has been regrouped for the discussion frames, that he thought, Colonel Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) told CNI News.

" Representatives of the political parties group will be elected in Yangon, I heard. The delegates from the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) have gone there. But it might reach the UPJDC level. If the discussion will be held with only political groups, they have prepared to participate in the discussion sort of. Our NCA signatory EAOs have grouped for the UPJDC. We have no problem. We are always ready for the discussion. Northern three groups - Wa, Myla and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) always go to Naypyidaw whenever the discussion is held if they are invited. NCA signatories are always ready to come whenever invited. Some NCA non-signatories also might think to attend the discussion. Although the political parties group had grouped since before, they will prepare for the discussion frames, I think." he said.

The UPJDC must be made up of 16 representatives each from the government, the Hluttaw and the Tatmadaw, the political parties group and the NCA signatory EAOs, which has been imposed in the NCA.

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

Although the political parties group has been grouped two times at least from 2021 to 2023, it has not been able to participate in the peace process. The public and international community have not been interested in it, said a politician.

How many people who really understand the peace process and the EAOs in the 47 political parties that will elect representatives for the UPJDC?

How many parties that are respected by international diplomats are there? How many parties that are seeking self-interests are there? Considering these situations thoroughly, representatives who can carry out effectively the peace process should elected and regrouped, pointed out politicians.

CNI News

26 May 2024

Arrests have been on the rise again in Malaysia since a few days ago and many Myanmar people there were arrested, philanthropic associations in Malaysia told CNI News.

The number of foreign workers was more than needed, which was reported by a Malaysian news agency and then more and more arrests were conducted, U Barbu Gyi, a person who is helping Myanmar people in Malaysia, told CNI News.

" Head of immigration department has said that they would arrest illegal foreigners anytime again. For the time being, they are arresting illegal foreigners at the places such as restaurants. There are door to door arrests as well. In fact, arrests are everywhere and will remain. Malaysian citizens have complained a lot about foreigners. Because they inform authorities of wherever foreigners are, foreigners who had arrived in jungle or mountain are checked and arrested." he said.

When Malaysian policemen arrest illegal foreigners, if the policemen are given money, those arrested are released. So, Malaysian citizens, later, tend to report to the immigration department, U Aung, chairman of the Yadana Sekka Funeral Service, told CNI News.

" There were hardly any arrests during the past two months, but now there are arrests almost everyday. The authorities come and check even the same place three times. Because many companies here have already moved to Vietnam and Indonesia, it's been difficult for Malaysian citizens to get jobs. There are some clashes among Malaysian politicians. The situation of foreigner workers depend on the policy of the politicians. Political situation in Malaysia is anybody' guess. Many arrests are conducted  because of complaints rather than a project." he said.

About 170 undocumented Myanmar citizens who illegally entered Klang City, Selangor State, Malaysia were arrested a few days ago reportedly. 

It has been estimated that arrests will go and Myanmar citizens should stay carefully so as not to be complained, urged philanthropic associations in Malaysia.

CNI News
26 May 2024

The number of the people who have registered at the UNHCR as refugees and those who have sought asylum was almost 190,000 and among them, more than 160,000 were the people from Myanmar, the UNHCR in Malaysia stated. The figure was until April, 2024.

Among over 160,000 Myanmar people, over 110,00 were Rohingya; about 26,000, Chin and 30,000, other nationalities from conflict-hit areas, according to the statement.

It was still difficult for Myanmar nationalities up to now like in the past, U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director general of the Center for Arakan Refugees (CAR) told CNI News.

" Most Rohingya got refugee status. As the rest ethnic people are just a minority, it's still difficult for them to win the opportunity from the UNHCR like in the past. The UN's recognition of Myanmar citizens who fled and have sought asylum is still low. Undocumented Myanmar people were arrested by the hundred in Malaysia not very long ago." he said.

65 percent of the people who have sought asylum are men and 35 percent, women; the number of people under 18 was over 50,000, according to the UNHCR. Moreover, if Myanmar people who have held the UN refugee cards were arrested, the UNHCR's reply whether it was correct or not would be delayed, according to the people who are helping in the affairs of refugees.

Moreover, while it is difficult to get a job at present, Myanmar people are being cheated by liar brokers, U Barbu Gyi, a person who is helping Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, told CNI News.

" There are many foreigners who were arrested and sent back even though they have held permits at present. Job vacancies are also scarce. In the situation like this Myanmar brokers cheat their compatriots and employ for one month and say there is no job anymore and dismiss. Many people who were cheated were not paid." he said.

There has been an increase in number of arrests again in Malaysia since a few days ago and many Myanmar citizens have been arrested, according to philanthropic associations in Malaysia.

In arresting like that, foreign migrant workers were arrested and taken away and documented workers were released reportedly.

CNI News

25 May 2024

There are concerns among political and military observers regarding what caould happen next after the discussion between the State Administration Council (SAC) and the Arakan Army (AA) did not go well.

The attitude of the AA that means the AA would continue to move for the liberation of Rakhine State and the Spring Revolution could be found out and so the discussion was broken, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" To the best of my knowledge, Chin urged the AA to end the war. But the AA has maintained the attitude that it will continue to conduct the movements for the liberation of Rakhine State and the Spring Revolution. Under this situation, the discussion was broken, I heard. The entire Rakhine State is going to be in the hands of the AA. But the military council has prepared defense in Sittwe and kept control of its West Command. In the situation like that, the military council tried to reach a ceasefire agreement with the AA with the help of China. And China wants to help the military council. After the ceasefire, the military council reinforce its military strength and will re-capture the entire Rakhine State. That's just its daydream project." he said.

While seeing a junction in Rakhine State

The peace delegation of the SAC and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,TNLA,MNDAA) met and discussed peace in Kunming, China on 14th and 15th May and separate meeting between the SAC and the AA was broken, according to news media.

The AA said that the AA only must be in Rakhine State as an armed group and the Myanmar Tatmadaw must leave Rakhine State and the SAC discussed 'Our Three Main Causes' after which the peace talk was broken reportedly.

 It was impossible for the Myanmar Tatmadaw to leave Rakhine State and because the discussion was broken, the situation could end with bloodshed, a politician told CNI News.

While seeing the AA Force

" The Tatmadaw is an organization that represents the sovereignty of the entire Myanmar. Whether it is said just or unjust, it won't give in easily. Its leadership might be poor. According to the constitution, the Tatmadaw is responsible, but at the same time, the Tatmadaw has no rights to discuss that. Do the people in the southern part of Rakhine State all accept the AA. Let's say that all the Rakhine people in the places where the NLD won don't accept the AA. There may be many Rakhine people who support the AA, but not majority. So, the AA is demanding something impossible like Saw Ba U Gyi,former leader of the KNU, did. Saw Ba U Gyi demanded then-government to add Yangon, Bago, Tanintharyi and Ayeyarwady Regions to Karen State. Because he demanded something impossible, the situation ended with bloodshed." he said.

The AA stated on 18th May that it had captured all the military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Buthidaung Township. At present, the AA has seized control of Pauktaw, Minbya, Kyauktaw, Mrauk U, Myebon, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Ranbye and Buthidaung Townships in Rakhine State as well as Paletwa Township in Chin State.

CNI News
25 May 2024

Most poultry farming industries have been suspended because the prices of chicken feed and chick are getting higher reportedly.

Not only do many chickens die of hot weather, the prices of chicken and egg  that poultry farms have to sell also don't get higher although these prices are getting higher at the market.

So, poultry farming operators are facing loss.

At present, those who have enough capital and companies only are conducting poultry farming while there have been a decrease in the number of people who conduct poultry farming on a small scale. Compared to the past, there are only 20 percent of entrepreneurs doing business of livestock left, Ko Kyaw Soe Moe, owner of Kaung Khit Poultry Farm, told CNI News.

" The prices of chicken feed, medicine and chick become higher. The price of medicine is getting about five times higher than before. The price of chicken feed is over 70,000 kyats per bag for egg chicken and 97,000 kyats per bag for broiler. But poultry farm owners don't get higher prices when they sell eggs and chicken at the farms. So, they make a loss. The price of broiler is about 9,000 kyats per viss at the farm but at the market its price is 15,000 kyats. So, there have been a sharp increase in the number of poultry farm owners. Only those who have enough capital and companies go on doing business of poultry farming. There are only 20 percent who conduct poultry farming left among self-employed people in the poultry farming industry." he said.

The price of a chick of egg chicken was 800 kyats last year, but now it's been 2,400 kyats and the price of a chick of broiler has been 1,500 kyats reportedly. Because the prices of chicken feed, medicine and chick are getting higher, the cost for poultry farming has become three times higher.

Although he was able to raise chickens by the thousand, but now by the hundred only, Ko Pyae Phyo Kyaw, owner of a poultry farming business, told CNI News.

" Because it's very hot this year, many chickens died of hot weather. Moreover, chickens that did not die didn't gain weight. So, owners of chicken farms make a lot of losses when prices are going up. If we raised 3,000 chickens in the past, it's not easy to raise even 1,000 now." he said.

Myanmar's poultry farming industry sector is gradually declining and only when is the production low, the sector will look up again. Moreover, most poultry farms are to stop in the rainy season reportedly.