CNI News

9 February 2027

2024 was a landmark year that the Tatmadaw would be completely annihilated, said Mahn Win Khaing Than, Prime Minister of the National Unity Government (NUG) at the Union Hluttaw meeting. 

The NUG would carry out to ensure that political, economic and social sectors are stable and transitional period beyond the rule of the Tatmadaw arrives smoothly and to bring the culprits to trial, he said.

" In the year of 2024 that we will completely annihilate the military council, I'd like to make a promise in front of the people's representatives that we'll work hard to make our alliances stronger, to have the ability to connect with all forces with the same purpose, to be able to build foundations for a genuine federal democracy, to make the politic, economic, social sectors stable beyond the rule of the military council, to ensure the transitional period to arrive smoothly, to bring the culprits to court. In 2021, we started opposing the military dictatorship. In 2022, our resistance began to strengthen. In 2023, we gathered our revolutionary forces. 2024 has been designated as milestone year to completely overthrow the terrorist military dictatorship. For that, our government is ready to cooperate with all allies to the best of our ability." said Mahn Win Khaing Than.

While seeing the NUG

To make the military dictatorship die out and to establish a federal democratic union were included in the consensus announced by the NUG on 31st January, 2023.

The consensus was agreed among the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the Chin National Front (CNF) and they must continue to try to reach consensus with ethnic alliance organizations, said Duwa Lashila, Acting President of the NUG.

Democratic elements waged armed resistance with protesting against the Tatmadaw after it has taken the power on 1st February 2021.

He wanted the stakeholders to find an answer in sympathy with the people who are suffering various crises, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar Tatmadaw

“There must be a slogan like that. But the slogan might not be realized. It might be implemented as well. As the opinion of people who don't take side with any organization like us, we want all the stakeholders to get an answer in sympathy with the people who are suffering. The people are facing death and famine in various forms. We are sorry for them." he said.

At present, the battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and some EAO/PDF joint forces across the country and due to these battles, the people are suffering from economic crisis, travel difficulties and daily insecurity.

CNI Article

Written by Chit Min Tun

9 February 2024

As soon as you talk about the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), most of the people tend to mix up with the Shanni militia. The SNA is different from the Shanni militia and so are their positions.  

The Shanni armed group that is active in Karmine-Tarlawgyi region is the Shanni militia. However, it is not named as the Shanni militia and is called Tarlawgyi militia or indigenous militia. 

There are three kinds of militia. The first is an armed group that has changed from a revolutionary ethnic armed group after making peace with the Tatmadaw. 

The second is an armed group that is formed in order to protect thieves and robbers and the third, an armed group that is formed by the Tatmadaw in order to protect some ethnic armed groups and other elements that destabilize with various objectives. 

Without including in these three kind of groups, ethnic armed groups that are fighting against the Tatmadaw are called EAOs. Among the EAOs is the SNA and an independent organization without being under any organization.

So, all the Shanni armed groups are different from one another and some are EAOs and others, militias.

While seeing the joint KIA-PDF force

The above-mentioned particulars are explained based on the facts and information collected from my research in relation to regarding the SNA as the Shanni militia.

I'd like to present based on the facts I have collected about the emergence of the SNA, where it' been active,  what its aim is and how it's important in Sagaing Region whose stability is weak.

The SNA was built on 5th July, 1989. Although it was not strong when it was built, but now it's been able to be active in several territories. At present, the SNA has been made up of four brigades.

Its Brigade-753 has been active in Homalin, Phaung Byin, Pinlebu, Shwe Pyi Aye Townships as well as along the Chindwin River near to the border of Mingin Township in Sagaing Region. 

Its Brigade-972 has been active from Namdaw Sanpya Village in Homalin Township to the region along Uru Creek, Sezin-Hparkant region, the region along the Indawgyi Lake and Karmine region.

Its Brigade-891 has been active in Thaungthut, Mawlike Towbship, Thanan Myothit on the other side of Chindwin River, Tamu, Kalay Townships and the area bordering with India. Its Brigade-614 has been active in Banmauk, Indaw Township, the area bordering with Wuntho Township and along the railway to Kachin State.

While seeing Shanni ethnic people

The battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces, causing damage to the regional stability. So, the SNA also became responsible not only for the peace and stability of the Shanni region but also for protecting the various ethnic groups in the region.

The five political objectives of the SNA are (1) the SNA will protect the local people from armed groups who bully and dominate, (2) the SNA will protect against the dangers of drugs, (3) All-round development of the people in the region including health, education, economy, agriculture and livestock, and the promotion of social life will be carried out, (4) natural environment in the region will be protected and preserved, and (5) the SNA will work together with other nationalities in building a federal union based on equal rights and self-determination. 

So, the SNA will have to consider in order to protect the regional stability and local people.

So, is the SNA going to be on the Tatmadaw's side in the battles between the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces? Is it going to be on the the KIA?PDF's side. Or is it going to be without any side. 

It will have to seriously consider about it because there will be good and bad in any one of two choices. The Tatmadaw will control the movement of the KIA/PDF forces because it wants to control Sagaing Region. 

So, who is the enemy? Who can be an ally? Who will be the temporary partner?  After thinking it over, the Tatmadaw can also make approaches to the SNA.

HPDF-124 While seeing comrades

In the same way, the KIA/PDF also want to control Sagaing Region. So, the KIA/PDF can choose the path of eliminating other forces that may hindering so that they can strongly attack the Tatmadaw or the path of forming an alliance and joining their side.

So, the SNA that has been active in the middle and upper parts of Sagaing Region is important to both the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF. In a situation like this, the organization that can mobilize SNA probably will be stronger.

If any organization could not persuade the SNA or the SNA will protect regional stability in its own way without joining any side, it is impossible for any organization to have the upper hand in Sagaing Region.

But there are accusations that the SNA is collaborating with the Tatmadaw. On the other hand, whether the accusations are true is something to think about because the battles broke out between the Tatmadaw and the SNA in Khamti and Homalin Townships.

In any case, the SNA is playing an important role in Sagaing Region. However, if its strategy and tactics were wrongly laid down, it could lead to a dangerous situation.

So, we will have to watch the state of peace and stability will be in the territories where the SNA has been active in Sagaing Region.

CNI News

8 February 2024

Officials from the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) and leaders of the Thai Business Committee have submitted to the government in order to set the service fee of the overseas employment agencies sending workers to Thailand in Thai Baht instead of Myanmar kyat, according to the Ministry of Labor.

As the service fee of overseas employment agencies sending workers to other countries has been set in respective country's currency or dollar, the service fee of the overseas employment agencies sending workers to Thailand should be set in Thai baht, which has been submitted to the government, U Win Myint, managing director of the Lucky Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.

" Due to the instability of the Baht price, the service charge changes from time to time. The service charge of overseas employment agencies sending workers to Malaysia is set in dollar. So, the MOEAF has presented to the government in order to set the service charge of overseas employment agencies sending workers to Thailand  in Thai baht. To set in Thai baht will be confirmed only if the official letter comes out. Service charge have been set in dollar for sending workers to Japan. It was convenient because the price of baht was stable in the past. And because the price of dollar also was stable in the past, there were not so many problems. But lately, the prices of baht and dollar have not been stable. The instabilities like that cause chaos. Agencies and workers make losses. So, agencies request to set in baht." he said.

While seeing an overseas employment agency

Although the service charge for the agencies was designated 150,000 kyats in the past, because the rate was not convenient, the agencies demanded to raise the service charge after which the service charge has been raised to 300,000 kyats. 

When the agencies have requested to set in Thai baht instead of Myanmar kyat, the agencies have asked 10,000 bahts as the service charge, according to the agencies. However, the ministry has not issued an official letter, Daw Myat Hayman Lin, managing director of Pwint Phoo Aung Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.

" In fact, Myanmar kyat only is being used for the service charge in sending workers to Thailand. Now the agencies have asked 10,000 bahts for the service charge to send workers to Thailand. Even though, 8,000 bahts might be designated." she said.

While seeing Myanmar workers

When sending workers to Thailand, Yangon-Myawady-Maesot route has not been conveneint as yet. 

The Ministry of Labor agreed to send workers through Kawthaung-Ranong route and Yangon- Don Mueang flight. But at present, Yangon-Don Mueang flight has been suspended temporarily. So, Kawthaung-Ranong route is being mainly used reportedly.

When sending workers to Thailand, because the Kawthaung flight can hold 50 people only. So, the agencies have to take two days to meet a demand letter offering 50 workers because other passengers will travel on the same flight, according to overseas employment agencies.

CNI Article

8 February 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), says every so often that the SAC will hold the election and hand over the State power to the winning party. 

However, the SAC doesn't say clearly that the election they will hold is whether a general election or by-elections.

In the same way, even though the SAC overthrew the NLD government, saying that the NLD was trying to get the State power without solving the vote list dispute, it hasn't announced decidedly whether the results of the 2020 general election have been void or not.

So, is a new election that Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing means is either a general election or bi-elections or what kind of election? It is food for thought or questionable.

After the NLD government was overthrown on February 1, 2021 by the Tatmadaw, security operations were being carried out

The SAC hasn't revealed for the time being when the election will be held. However, it's said that it will conduct the national census-taking in 2024 after which the election will be held. So, the election that will be sponsored by the SAC might be held in 2025 or 2026. In any case, the SAC will look for a political exit.

On the other hand, armed conflicts are severely taking place in many parts of the country and there has been an increase in the territories that the SAC lost control of. 

A general election was held in 2010, and by-elections, in 2012 and a general election, in 2015 and by-elections, in 2017 and a general election, in 2020. In any case, the number of constituencies that will take part in the election to be held under the SAC government probably will be less.

In a situation like this, there's something to be considered whether the SAC will hold a general election or by-elections. If a general election was held, the results of the 2020 general election would be void automatically, that we could deem.

Otherwise, if by-elections were held, the SAC would temporarily suspend the results of the 2020 general election without abolishing them. And then, the Hluttaw that contains the representatives who win in the by-elections will be held and an elected political party government might be formed.

While the UEC was explaining the voting system to political parties

There might be some disputable issues in a situation like that. The disputable issues might include whether the public will accept it or not and if the results of the 2020 general election were not cancelled, the NLD MPs would be recognized.

However, the law relating to political parties registration that was enacted on 26th January 2023 by the SAC and the law that amends the law relating to political parties registration that was imposed on 30th January 2024 by the SAC should be studied and compared.  

According to the section-2 (g) of the law relating to political parties registration, the by-election is the election that is occasionally held by the Union Election Commission for the vacant constituencies because during a normal Hluttaw tenure, the election has been put off in a constituency or an MP passes away or an MP has been removed from its position in accordance with the law.

According to the section-2(g) of the law that amends the political parties registration law, the by-election is the election occasionally held by the UEC for the vacant constituencies when a member of the Hluttaw resigns or passes away or is removed from the membership of the Hluttaw in accordance with the law. As an amendment, a point saying 'because the election is put off during a tenure of the Hluttaw' is omitted.

While seeing the chairman of the NLD party Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

If that is the case, the SAC will no longer hold the next election as a general election but will hold the election as by-elections only and winners of the by-elections will be added to the elected representatives from the 2020 general election. 

After that, the Hluttaw will be held with more than half of all the members of the Hluttaw. In this way, the SAC will overcome the crisis, won't they? If that kind of political landscape was created, the requested fact that the results of the 2020 must be internationally recognized would have already accepted.

In the same way, political parties that have won in the 2020 general election and that don't want to collaborate with the Tatmadaw must attend the Hluttaw and will have to continue to participate in politics.

As the NLD has won in the 2020 general election, the fact that it will form a government might be confused because most of the NLD MPs have chosen the armed path and taken part in the NUG. So, they might be removed for the membership of the Hluttaw according to the law.

Some of the NLD MPs passed away and others might resign from the membership. So, candidates with the second highest number of votes in the constituencies where the NLD candidates have won might be declared as winners by the UEC.

While announcing the results of the election

That's why the SAC probably will hold by-elections rather than a general election. After that, an elected government and the Hluttaw will arise and some of the opposition elements probably will arrive in the Hluttaw. If that happens, the situation that a single person has handled three powers-legislative power, administrative power and judicial power-can be overcome and three powers can be distributed.

After three powers can be distributed, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing will make a choice whether he will go on staying in the Tatmadaw or take government responsibility.

At any rate, the Hluttaw, the government and the Tatmadaw need to be separate institutions. If a single person has handled three powers, the country is more likely to decline than it is likely to improve.

So, we'll keep a close watch the law that amends the political parties registration law is whether a political strategy of the SAC or an exit for the country and the public.

CNI News

7 February 2024

Domestic rice prices have gradually risen during the past few days. The price of one pyi (2.55718 L) of rice is rising from 4 to 600 kyats, according to the rice market.

The rice prices have risen because the rice exporters are buying rice at high prices, an official from the Myanmar Rice & Paddy Traders Association, told CNI News.

" Exporters need rice to export. There's a regular consumption within the country. When the prices are so high, those who have stored rice for long will sell it. At present, the rice from warehouses has come out a little. The the rice prices went up has made the export earnings increase. Because the exporters make a profit, they raise the prices and buy rice. It depends on the government's policy as well. Domestic consumption is regular. The export policy may change. The rice prices are low or high depending on the financial change." he said.

Although the price of Pawsanhmway, a kind of fine rice, was 120,000 kyats per bag (24 pyis) in the past, but now its price has been 125,000 kyats. The price of Aemahta, a kind of low quality, has risen from 80,000 to 84,000 kyats per bag within this month.

For the time being, there has been an increase in buying rice paddy and its price has risen to 80,000 kyats for 100 bags. So, domestic rice prices also have gone up, said farmers. 

While seeing a rice shop

However, when the summer rice appears abundantly, the rice prices would be stable again, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

" The price of 100 baskets of rice paddy has risen from 50,000 until 80,000 kyats. So, the price of one pyi of rice also will go up a bit. The prices of rice will go up a little at a time like this. And the summer rice paddy hasn't appeared. The rice prices will rise depending on the current price of rice paddy and exchange rate. But the prices won't go up exponentially, I think." he said.

Rice is sufficient for the domestic consumption because farmers in Ayeyarwady Region have expanded their cultivation of rain, winter and summer rice paddy with higher prices, reportedly.

However, the yield of rice paddy has been low in Sagaing Region, Rakhine State and Mon State because some townships of these regions are not stable. 

So, the exporting amount of rice has been reduced this year, according to the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association.

CNI News

7 February 2024

Col.Win Ram from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Khaplang Yung Aung (NSCN-K/YA) passed away in Myitkyina, Kachin State on 5th February 2024, the NSCN-K/YA stated. 

Col.Win Ram passed away while he was receiving medical treatment in Myitkyina.

Colonel Win Ram was deputy secretary of the NSCN-K/YA and he served for 12 years. So, the NSCN-K/YA was deeply saddened for Col.Win Ram passed away. He served his duty with full courage until his last breath-out for the Naga people, the NSCN-K/Ya stated.

While seeing the condolence statement by NSCN-K/YA on the death of Col. Win Ram

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland was built in 1980. 

There were disagreements among the leaders - Isak, Muivah and Khaplang after which in 1989, the organization was divided into two groups and the one is the NSCN-Khaplang or the NSCN-K and the other, the NSCN-Isak-Muivah or the NSCN-IM. The NSCN-K is based in Burma and NSCN-IM, in India.

Khaplang, chairman of the NSCN-K passed away in 2017 and U Khango Konyak, vice chairman, became the chairman in 2018. However, he was soon removed from power on 17th August that year and U Yung Aung was appointed as the chairman.

While seeing Ang Mai, leader of the NSCN-K/AM

U Yung Aung fired Deputy Chief of Staff Niki Sumi, Minister Star Sam, and Chief of Staff Nyam Lang on 29th July 2020. After that, Niki Sumi built a breakaway faction called the NSCN-K/NK and it agreed to peace with the Indian government on 8th September 2021.  

In the same way, the NSCN-K/YA dismissed Home Minister Ang Mai in 2023 and he built the KSCN-K/AM faction.

Moreover, U Aung Sai and U Jimmy who were dismissed from the NSCN-K built the East Naga Defense Army (ENDA/ENNO).

CNI News

6 February 2024

Politics and military experts are reviewing and discussing about how the revolutionary forces can put pressure on the State Administration Council during this year. 

Some EAOs and revolutionary joint forces were able to capture some military camps and towns from the end of 2023 and until now.

Revolutionary forces probably could capture medium and small towns and a slogan saying that all the columns would march to Naypyidaw had been issued, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar politics commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" At this level, revolutionary forces have captured medium and small towns. Within this year, they will launch operations to capture medium and large towns, I think. If medium towns could be captured easily and the disintegration of the military council army is faster than this, they can capture cities. They have issued a slogan saying all the columns will march to Naypyidaw. They will do as they have said." he said.

Although 2023 was proclaimed as the decisive year of the Spring Revolution, It turned out that neither side was able to outright win. However, after the Three Brotherhood Alliance had launched the Operation-1027 on 27th October 2023, revolutionary forces were able to seize control of 39 towns, revolutionary forces have stated.

The general public was facing high commodity prices due to monetary inflation. Moreover, due to roadblocks and financial charges by the revolutionary forces, the people were facing various kinds of crises, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party), told CNI News.

While seeing the Chin force

"They (revolutionary forces) can't be so much successful because, to tell you frankly, financial support is important. Even now, the people have complained a lot. The people who support them have complained as well. Frankly speaking, commodity prices have risen due to monetary inflation and the people have to pay the tax kind of. So, the people have complained. If this keeps up, the people will complain more. The kind of work without the public participation won't be successful, I think." he said.

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

After that, the battles have been breaking out between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary joint forces including some EAOs across the country and there have been crises in all sectors including politics, economy, health and education in Myanmar.

CNI News

6 February 2024

Undocumented foreigners including Myanmar citizens, overstayers and so on would not be prosecuted and they all would be allowed to go home, said the Malaysian Minister for Home Affairs at the news conference held on 31st January 2023. 

This plan would be started on 1st March at the decision of the cabinet, said the minister.

Although undocumented foreigners would not be prosecuted, they would face a fine, U Barbu Gyi who is helping in the affairs of Myanmar nationals in Malaysia, told CNI News.

" The plan that have allowed any undocumented foreigners to go home has been suspended for over one year. According to their plan, an undocumented Myanmar citizen has to go to the Malaysian immigration department after getting a certificate of endorsement that he or she is a Myanmar citizen from the Myanmar Embassy. And then, he must pay a fine at the immigration office after which he can go home. No more inspection will be needed. But they haven't announced whether undocumented foreigners will have to take appointments or not." he said.

While the Malaysian Minister for Home Affairs was answering media to their questions

An undocumented foreigner who entered Malaysia illegally without a passport must pay 500 ringgits as a fine. And an overstayer with a passport expired also must pay 500 ringgits as a fine as well as 300 ringgits have been fined for the violations of the rules reportedly.

It was likely that Malaysian Government was trying to reduce a lot of undocumented foreigners who has stranded in Malaysia, said Myanmar people in Malaysia.

Among the undocumented Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, there were a lot of Myanmar citizens who were waiting to go home with CIs and some of undocumented Myanmar people wanted to wait for the time when permits would be issued, U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director general of the Center for Arakan Refugees, told CNI News.

" There are two kinds. Arrests are rampant. In a situation an undocumented foreigner can't stay any longer, he wants to go home with a CI. But some undocumented foreigners want to go on staying if permits could be applied. But Myanmar Embassy takes very long to issue passports. Just a few Myanmar people could apply for passports all over the last year because it takes you six months or one year to get a passport from Myanmar Embassy. Other embassies issue passports within 24 hours or 36 hours or 48 hours. So, other foreigners can take advantage of the opportunity. On the other hand, Myanmar people had to lose the opportunity." he said.

Undocumented foreigners who have been arrested

Due to instability in Myanmar and the devaluation of Myanmar Kyat at present, it's more convenient to earn money by doing random jobs in Malaysia instead of going home. So, some undocumented Myanmar people don't want to go home reportedly.

Under the normal procedure in Malaysia, undocumented foreigners and overstayers could go home only after serving the sentence. However, it was better that they could go home without serving the sentence, said Myanmar people in Malaysia.

Because arrests are being conducted everyday in Malaysia, if Myanmar people who find it difficult to go on staying want to go home, they should go home under the CI program that will be started on 1st March 2024, they suggested.

CNI News

6 February 2024

Nitric acid, the main raw material in refining gold, has been in short supply in market and its price is skyrocketing, according to gold entrepreneurs.

Although the price of the acid was about 200,000 kyats for five gallons in the past, but now the price has been about 1,000,000 kyats reportedly.

Because the price of nitric acid has risen, the cost for refining gold has gone up, U Ohn Myaing, secretary of the Myanmar Gold Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

" I heard that the acid has been scarce. The price has been around 10 lakh kyats for five gallons. The price was about two lakh kyats in the past. And the cost for refining gold has gone up exponentially as well. Now the charge for refining gold has been 6,500 kyats per tical. The charge was only 3,500 to 4,000 kyats in the past. In the same way, the price of gold also has gone up from 3,000 to 5,000 kyats per tical." he said.

While seeing gold ware

Due to the shortage of nitric acid, the productivity of gold finished product has declined, said gold entrepreneurs.

The government imports the nitric acid and gold entrepreneurs have to buy it from the companies concerned. At present, importing the nitric acid has been delayed due to difficult border trade routes reportedly. 

Nitric acid is mainly imported from China. The productivity of gold has been slow due to the necessity of the acid. So, later the gold shops won't be able to sell the gold as much as the customers want, said the gold market analysts.

However, gold price speculators might find a way to go on doing their business, Ko Nay Khant, a gold market analyst, told CNI News.

While gold is being melted

" The acid has been scarce really. The border trade routes have been interrupted. The acid is not like other products. You can't import it on your own. The government import it. We have to buy it from the government kind of. But the countries like Malaysia have allowed the companies whatever they want to import. If the acid was not available easily, the gold shops won't able to sell gold as much as the customers want. If so, the gold shops will have to re-buy the gold from the customers. If they did so, the gold price might decline but for not very long. And then, they will sell it again. An opportunity has arisen to speculate gold price." he said.

As now is the open season, the influx of raw gold from gold mines has increased and because it is the season when finished gold products are manufactured, the demand of the acid will be high. 

However, due to the shortage of the nitric acid in the market, the productivity of finished gold products has declined and the price of gold might be volatile, which gold traders and gold market analysts are worried about.