CNI News

15 February 2024

Because of the people's military service law that has been approved, the number of people who go abroad from illegal channels might increase, those who are helping in the affairs of workers, told CNI News. 

As the State Administration Council could have calculated in advance, the process of issuing passports could be restricted. So, the number who go abroad from illegal channels might increase, Ko THargyi, a person who is helping migrant workers, told CNI News.

"Young people from all walks of life probably will leave for neighboring countries from illegal channels because of the compulsory military service law. They might be be sold and cheated by unscrupulous brokers and agents. About 75 percent of young people might sneak into foreign countries. And the remaining 25 percent might join the revolutionary forces. The safety of young people is also a concern while the number of people who will sneak into foreign countries might increase." he said.

Myanmar Tatmadaw personnels

Because of the mandatory military service law that has been approved, the number of Myanmar nationals who will go abroad might increase more than those of Myanmar people who went abroad after political changes in 2021, the people who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers, reviewed.

When a person tries to go abroad, just having a passport is not enough, he or she would need money, language skill, acquaintances or friends, employment skill and so on, they pointed out. Although the mandatory military service law has been stated, if the children of top officials of the government, the children of the rich and artists were exempt from military service, it would be discrimination, they pointed out.

South Korean nationals do their military service with their sense of responsibility and they are doing military exercises in advance to protect them from foreign enemies. In South Korea, All those designated must serve in the military without caste discrimination.

No one would want to join the army because they would have to fight in internal battles, not against foreign enemies, Ko Khant Nay Kyi, the supporting center for migrant workers in Busan, told CNI News.

Those who are waiting in line to get passports in front of the passport office

If Myanmar nationals in foreign countries were notified that they must serve in the military, they would go on staying in the foreign countries where they are as long as evidence documents are valid, he said.

" According to the Myanmar community in South Korea, humanitarian visas have been issued to Myanmar people because there is a political crisis such as a civil war in Myanmar. They will go on staying with the visa. If South Korea has designated that the number of Myanmar workers must be 30,000 at least in South Korea, the 30,000 won't go home. But it will be difficult to call anymore Myanmar workers." he said.  

According to the people's military service law, All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 are required to serve for up to two years under military command and man specialists aged from 18 to 45 and female specialists aged from 18 to 35 must serve. 

Specialists mean doctors, engineers, technicians or those who live by any profession.

CNI News

15 February 2024

As the mandatory military service law that every Myanmar citizen who reaches the age of 18 must serve was enforced on 10th February 2024 by the State Administration Council, human resources could decrease and it could affect the productivity within the country. 

Regarding the impact on productivity, questions are emerging.

Because the law has been stated, young men have to serve in the military. However, some youths are making preparations to go abroad. So, because of mandatory military service law, local productivity could be affected.

Although the number of people in the age range eligible for military service is about 20 million, since only about 100,000 people could be recruited, it might not affect the productivity, U Thiha Paing, founder of the Via Logistics and Supply Chain, told CNI News.

While seeing a person carrying a bag of rice

" About 10 million people can't be trained at the same time. Training schools can receive from 5,000 to 10,000 people. In this way, they will recruit. Our offices have to allow some staff to go to the university. But our industries are going on. Military service is like that as well. Moreover, now many young people leave for Japan. 5,000 to 10,000 leave in one day. It doesn't make any difference. I don't think the law will affect the productivity." he said.  

According to the people's military service law, All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 are required to serve for up to two years under military command and man specialists aged from 18 to 45 and female specialists aged from 18 to 35 must serve for three years. Specialists mean doctors, engineers, technicians or those who live by any profession.

However, if there was a state of emergency, the period of people's military service would be extended to five years. Although those who will soon be 35 years of age might be taken for the first time to do their military service, all of them could not be taken. So, around 10,000 people might be recruited for the first time, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" Those who will soon be 35 will be recruited for the first time. Let alone young people, all the people who will soon be 35 can't be recruited. If about one million new people join the army, they don't have enough budget for one million people. So, if you call a new batch of soldiers, you can call only ten thousand. This is not the number which can affect the productivity." he said.

While seeing Myanmar Tatmadaw was arming militia with weapons

Depending on the number of the population to be recruited for military service, workers might be scarce for the production. If only 10 out of 1000 of the population were recruited, although it had no effect, if more than 10 percent of the population were recruited, workers might be scarce for the production, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

" If 10 percent of the population were recruited, it wouldn't be dangerous. But if 20 percent were recruited, it would be dangerous. If you call for one person per house, who is going to work for the family?" he said.

The Recruitment Center for the People's Military Service is formed and as the duties of the law that groups must be formed by regions, states, districts and townships have been mentioned, it will take time to summon and scrutinize. 

So, it might take from three to six months in order to implement the people's military service.

CNI News

14 February 2024

As the People's Military Service Law has been signed and enacted by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, possible situations are being discussed and reviewed by political and military experts. 

The law No 27/2010 enacted in 2010 by the State Peace and Development Council must take effect starting from 10th February 2024, the State Administration Council stated.

Using that law was showing that the Tatmadaw was getting weak and it wouldn't be successful, Dr.Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News. 

While seeing the militiamen

" Many people are also saying that using that law is showing the Tatmadaw is becoming weak. Although they use the law, I don't think they will be successful. There has been a great decrease in the number of soldiers of the Tatmadaw. They seem to replenish. But they don't seem to be successful." she said. 

Due to the law, moderates also  may be on the way to the revolution, she added.

According to the people's military service law, All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 are required to serve for up to two years under military command and man specialists aged up to 45 and female specialists aged to 35 must serve for three years. 

Specialists mean doctors, engineers, technicians or those who live by any profession.

While seeing the revolutionary forces

At a time of political divisiveness in Myanmar, the mandatory military service law should not be enforced, a politician reviewed.

" In a country where there is politically divisiveness but not geographically such as Myanmar, mandatory military service law must not be enforced. There are many lessons relating to the law in the world. So, it should not be enforced at all. If the law is implemented, to tell the truth, it will be the same as they are digging their grave." he said.

Armed conflicts are widely taking place in many parts of the country at present, including mainland areas where there were no battles in the past. 

As the People's Military Service Law has been enforced, ethnic people who are not Bamar are preparing to join their EAOs while Bamar nationalities are preparing to join the revolutionary forces, which people are saying.

CNI News

14 February 2024

As many companies are authorized to import EV cars, many types of EV cars could enter the country and the competition could be fierce, vehicle manufacturers and distributors told CNI News. 

30 companies were allowed to carry out electric vehicles and related activities in 2023 and as an additional 51 companies have been allowed in 2024, there have been 81 companies now.

As there are 81 companies that have been allowed to import EVs, many kinds of EVs could enter Myanmar, causing the competition to be fierce, according to motor vehicle manufacturing and distribution entrepreneurs. 

While seeing EV cars

In the future, more and more people will use EVs and the car market will be stable, U Min Min Naung, chairman of the Yangon Region Motor vehicle Manufacturing and Distribution Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

" Those who have bought EVs at the designated price have nothing to lose because the tax is free. But, those who have bought EVs at a profit paid can make a loss. As many kinds of EVs can enter the country, the competition will be fierce. If the real price of an EV like Toyota is 1,100 or 1,150 thousands kyats, buyers have pay 1,700 or 1,800 thousands kyats. But a lot of EVs enter, the prices will be stable. The prices will be stable next year." he said.

At present, 81 companies have been allowed to carry out EVs and related activities and import licenses will be issued to the companies that consistent with designation, according to the statement released by the National EV and Related Activities Development Committee.

Although it is not known that how many EVs have 30 companies been allowed to import in 2023, new 51 companies have been allowed to import 500 EVs each. If EVs were imported like that, 25,000 EVs would be allowed to import kind of.

While seeing a charging station

At present, chargeable places are sufficient for the number of EVs that has entered Myanmar. But it is necessary to think about the number of additional cars that will enter. Moreover, the Foreign Exchange Management Committee needed to perform to get foreign currency in order to import EVs, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" When there are an increase in the number of EVs that enter Myanmar, there won't be enough EV charging stations. We should think it over. The committee hasn't designated that a company must import 500 EVs. But as the sale contract is issued only if 500 EVs are imported, the company will have to import 500 EVs. It might not sell all the 500 EVs. For the time being, ICE cars still can be used because their licenses are valid. Frankly speaking, there might be gap between the demand and the supply. And if the management committee don't sell foreign currency, how can we import EVs? So, several criteria can appear." he said.

BYD, Toyota, Honda, MG4, Nissan and so on have entered Myanmar and more than 1,000 EVs entered the country in 2023. The prices are from 600 to over 2,000 lakh kyats depending on type and model reportedly.

CNI News

14 February  2024

The formation of the Chin State government by the Chinland Council was not accepted by some Chin organizations which announced it. 

According to the Chin State Government Constitution, the name lists of chief minister of Chin State and ministers, attorney general, auditor general, Supreme Court of Chin State, Chief Justice and Judges proposed and submitted by the electoral committee could be approved and three pillars including the Chin State Council could be formed and approved, which the Chin State government stated on 1st February, 2024.

Although Chin people and Chin revolutionary organizations local and abroad repeatedly warned not to form a government in haste during the period of building Chin national unity within the Chin State, the Chin State Government was formed in haste, and it could prevent Chin national unity, the Interim Chin National Consultative Council objected on 3rd February 2024.

While seeing the Zomi Revolutionary Army

Forming a government at a time like that could affect the unity, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News. 

" Such a thing shouldn't be done because the government formed can't cover the state and not every Tatmadaw military camp can be cleared. So, forming a government at a time like this can damage the unity and affect the revolutionary movements." he said.

The formation of Chin State Government by the Chinland Council would not apply to the territories of Zomi nationalities and it would not represent Zomi nationalities, the ZPCC stated on 9th February 2024.

Although the Chin State government was formed, it could be difficult to stand without the help of the mainland and there may be differences of opinion within the Chin clan, a politician reviewed.

While seeing the Chinland Council

" Forming a government like this can't work at any rate. It's difficult to stand on its own in a place where they can't even build an airport. It can't stand without the help of the mainland. Will it join Mizoram Province, India? Join the province. It will be governed by Mizoram. The Chin people in Mizoram Province are Lushine Chin people that are a little different from those in Chin State. There are just a few Lushine Chins on this side. After the Panglong Agreement was signed, A state that could stand on its own was the Shan State only. Even so, tax support from the Union cannot be avoided. So, it's out of the question that the Chin government can stand on its own." he said to CNI News.

There are local PDFs including the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF) that are active in Chin State and there are more than 50 Chin ethnic groups reportedly.

CNI News

14 February 2024

The Chin National Front that participates in the Spring Revolution and is fighting against the Tatmadaw is trying to discuss secretly with the Tatmadaw, that was stated by the Zomi Political Combine Committee (ZPCC)/ Zomi Revolution Army (Eastern Command) on 9th February, 2024.

The Chin National Front (CNF) prevented the ZRA from working hand in hand with brotherhood ethnic armed groups in order to build a federal union under the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) government. In the same way, the CNF prevented the ZRA from becoming a member of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPJDC) as well as a member of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), said in the statement.

Moreover, during the Spring Revolution, the ZRA was prevented from becoming a member of the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and the ZRA has been blocked in various ways throughout the ages for the Zomi nationalities self-determination and autonomy, the ZPCC/ZRA stated.

While seeing the Chin National Front

" The ZRA (Eastern Command) was attacked in various ways to make the public think that the ZRA (Eastern Command) was supporting the Tatmadaw. However, the CNF is trying to discuss secretly with the Tatmadaw now like in the past when they got in touch with each other and collaborated." said the ZPCC/ZRA.

The CNF is an EAO that has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and participated in the Spring Revolution that arose after 1st February 2021 and is fighting against the Tatmadaw.

Lian Hmung Sakhong, vice chairman of the CNF, has taken the responsibility as minister of the National Unity Government and the CNF is training the PDFs. In collaboration with the PDFs, the CNF is fighting against the Tatmadaw, refusing the SAC's invitation for the peace talks.

While seeing the statement by the ZPCC/ZRA

However, the ZPCC/ZRA has accused the CNF is communicating secretly to discuss with the Tatmadaw. Moreover, the ZRA/ZPCC stated that they don't recognize the Chinland Council that was led and formed by the CNF, the Chin State Government and the Chin National Consultative Council as well as the Committee Representing Chin State Hluttaw (CRCH).

So, the Chin State Constitution that was led and drafted by the CNF does not apply at all to the Zogam or Zomi land and Zomi people according to the Zogam Covenant." the ZPCC/ZRA stated.

Although CNI News asked the officials from the CNF about the accusation of the ZPCC/ZRA by phone, there has been no contact with the CNF.

CNI News
10 February 2024

Due to difficult transportation in the current avocado season, it is difficult to export avocado and Myanmar avocado can be exported to Thailand alone, according to the Myanmar Avocado Association.

Although Myanmar avocado was being exported to Thailand through border route, traders made a loss and farmers could not sell at a profitable price, Ko Kyaw Soe Min, secretary of the Myanmar Avocado Exporters Association, told CNI News.

" We must export avocado whether we can sell it at a profitable price or not because it's kind of marketable greens. It can't be kept for long. Coffee can be kept for long. We can't export avocado to other countries except for Thailand. We can use the border route only to export. As the traders make a loss, they can't buy avocado at a higher price from the farmers. We have expected to export about 250 tons of avocado including Hass." he said.

Although Myanmar avocado is exported to China, Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, Singapore, India and Vietnam, this year it can be exported to Thailand alone.

Moreover, India offered to buy 1,000 tons of avocado from Myanmar in July, 2023, Myanmar cannot export because it is not convenient to ship by sea or through border routes.

In exporting avocado to Thailand, because of difficult transportation, when traders are late to buy avocados, the fruits tend to be overripe.

Although one kilogram of avocado could be sold at 8,000 kyats last year, but this one kilogram is paid just 5,000 kyats at most, Khun Arkar, chairman of the Kyauktalone Township Avocado Association in southern Shan State, told CNI News.

" In the early season, avocados of high quality can be sold at 3,000 or 4,000 kyats a kilo. But avocados of low quality, 1,000 or 1,500 kyats a kilo. When the buyer are late to buy because of difficult transportation, many fruits falls this year. In the past, avocados can be sold at from 4,000 to 8,000 kyats a kilo. When avocados are scarce, the price goes up a bit. In the middle of the season, avocados are cheap. The highest price is just 5,000 kyats." he said.

In Myanmar, there are 25,000 acres of avocado plantation and  it is grown in Shan State, Mandalay Region, Chin State, Sagaing Region, Kachin State and Kayah State. In Myanmar, about 3,000 tons of avocados yielded in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

CNI News
10 February 2024

Due to rising fuel prices, travel expenses of domestic and foreign tourists have increased from 10 to 20 percent, U Naung Naung Han, chairman of Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

When the fuel prices increased again after the tours had been sold, because tourism industries could no longer ask for more money from tourists, the tourism industries were finding it difficult, he said.

" We have to calculate the prices in advance. Prices have to be calculated 6 months or one year in advance. But As the fuel prices have risen. Car rental prices have also gone up a lot. So, prices have been high in tourism. Especially in the rural areas, the availability of fuel is not certain in some places. Car rental prices have to be estimated." said U Naung Naung Han to CNI News.

At present, due to not only high prices of fuel but also unavailability of the fuel in some places, prices of hotel rooms have gone up because generators have to be used for electricity and a hotel room whose price was 50,000 kyats in the past has been 70,000 kyats now reportedly.

While seeing tourists at the beach

As few tourists enter the regions where battles are breaking out, salaries are reduced to half on the basis of working 10 days and taking 10 days off, according to hotel operators.

So, as there are more and more people traveling in groups with their own plans, the development of tourism has declined, tourism and hotel entrepreneurs review.

Because of the Chinese New Year when there are few tourists who come back home, hotel industries in northern Shan State where battles are taking place are allowing tourists to stay, reducing prices, U Zaw Zaw, Northern Shan State Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

While seeing tourists on the U Bein Bridge

" In our northern Shan State, we can buy fuel, but it's more expensive. the price is 3,000 kyats a liter. A high price like that can damage the tourism to an extent. In fact, if the fuel prices decline, car rental fees will decrease and then more and more tourists will travel. At present, tourism has dropped quite a bit. It can damage a lot in the long run." he said.

If the relevant ministry designates a quota of fuel for tourism, the tourism sector is likely to rise again, tourism and hotel operators review.

Although local tourists are going to Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and beach areas at present, there has been a decline in the number of tourists.

However, domestic tourism may rise slightly in the end of February and in March, according to Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.

CNI News

9 February 2024

While the preparations were made to hold the Kachin National Revolution Day in Kutkai, northern Shan State, the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA) prevented  the celebration and the Kutkai Kachin Messenger Association objected the TNLA's prevention, the association stated on 6th February, 2024.

In commemoration of 63rd anniversary of the Kachin National Revolution Day that fell on 5rh February, while Kachin people in Kutkai were hoisting Kachin national flags in the courtyards of their home, some TNLA troops entered and prevented the celebration, broke the flagpoles, tore off the flags, took the flags away and kicked the flagpoles, saying according to the above order, said in the statement.

After saying that the TNLA attacked and captured Kutkai, the TNLA troops ordered and treated Kachin people like a dictator. Moreover, the troops threatened aiming guns at the unarmed people, said in the statement.

The issue should be resolved by the responsible leaders of both sides as soon as possible, a former member of the Hluttaw told the CNI news agency.

" If the superiors coordinate with each other quickly, it will be convenient, I think. We have to worry even if there will be racial issues. Now, villagers don't dare to go home. 25 percent only of the villagers went home, I think. We don't want racial issues. We don't want to comment about the military affairs. It will better if the TNLA and the KIA negotiate." he said.

While seeing the TNLA force

After the KIA had raised flags in the Ta'ang monasteries in Namphekka in the past, there were tensions between the two ethnic groups, he added.

The TNLA troops despised the three-fingered sign that is a symbol of the Spring Revolution and said even though the people raise three fingers, they would have to live under the TNLA and these actions were protested on behalf of Kachin people in Kutkai, said in the statement released by the Kutkai Kachin Messenger Association.

As armed organizations should exercise restraint, considering for the public, a Kachin ethnic told CNI News.

 " It's very important to armed organizations to exercise restraint. Rather than arguing who is right or who is wrong, it is very important to bring the public the truth after thinking it over." he said.

The Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA), the People Defense Force (PDF), the Tatmadaw and militia including the KIA and the TNLA are active in norther Shan State.