Myanmar 20250128: Intimate, Salutary, Genuine
Mekong Memo Myanmar Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.
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Here is this week’s edition of the Mekong Memo for Myanmar.
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Headlines:
Military Strikes Get Messy
China and India Battle for Sea Access
Russia Eyes Dawei Port Project
Six Nations in Crackdown on Crime Networks
Meta in Legal Challenge Over Myanmar Violence
New Internet Controls Target Opposition
Forced Conscription Campaign Intensifies
Evidence Management Law Enacted
Thai-Myanmar Border Power Cut
Myanmar-India Development Projects
Garment Industry Conditions Worsen
New Military Drone Deployment
ASEAN's Myanmar Approach
Public Distrust of Chinese Influence
Military Strikes Get Messy
The Myanmar military has intensified operations across multiple regions, conducting airstrikes in Sagaing, Shan State, and Rakhine. Recent attacks have targeted civilian areas, including strikes on Nawnghkio town killing over 10 civilians. The Arakan Army has expanded control into Ayeyarwady Region, while fighting has forced two-thirds of residents to evacuate from Chaung Thar beach resort. The military faces increasing pressure from resistance forces, with over 40 soldiers defecting to Karen rebels since August.
Read more: RFA (Military Operations), Mizzima (Airstrikes), RFA (Evacuations)
China and India Battle for Sea Access
Both China and India are advancing infrastructure projects in Rakhine State despite the war. China is pushing forward with the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone and deep-sea port project, while India focuses on the recently opened Sittwe Port as part of its Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. The competition remains intense thanks to the value of maintaining footholds in the region, with both powers looking to establish dominant positions along the Bay of Bengal coast.
Read more: Irrawaddy (China Projects), Irrawaddy (Strategic Competition)
Russia Eyes Dawei Port Project
Russia is taking a good look at the long-stalled Dawei Special Economic Zone, with Ambassador Iskander Azizov meeting regional officials to talk about the project. The development would accommodate vessels over 200,000 tons and would compete with Chinese and Indian infrastructure initiatives in the country (see previous story). The discussions come in the wake of the junta's previous request for Russian assistance with the port project.
Read more: Bangkok Post (Project Details), Irrawaddy (Russian Interest)
Six Nations in Crackdown on Crime Networks
A multinational effort involving six nations has launched Phase 2 of "Joint Operation Jingyao" targeting telecommunications fraud and transnational crime in the Mekong region. The collaboration has already investigated 160 cases and arrested more than 70,000 suspects. Myanmar has deported more than 50,000 people linked to online scam operations since October 2023, with most sent to China.
Read more: Nation Thailand (Joint Operation), RTV Online (Deportations)
Meta in Legal Challenge Over Myanmar Violence
A Rohingya survivor has filed a complaint with the US Securities and Exchange Commission against Facebook parent company Meta, alleging the company's role in promoting content that incited attacks. The complaint accuses Meta of making false statements to shareholders about its involvement in fueling violent attacks in 2017 and concealing warnings about Facebook's potential misuse.
Read more: Jurist
New Internet Controls Target Opposition
The junta has put a new cybersecurity law into effect that bans VPNs and imposes strict surveillance. The law requires licenses for cybersecurity providers, registration for digital platforms with more than 100,000 Myanmar users, and mandatory data retention. Resistance groups have responded by adopting alternative connectivity solutions, including Starlink satellite internet in controlled areas.
Read more: Fulcrum
Forced Conscription Campaign Intensifies
The military regime has expanded its forced conscription efforts, conducting street patrols and household inspections to recruit young men. Bribes reportedly don’t work as effectively as they did to secure releases, and conscripts are faced with the possibility of immediate deployment to conflict zones. The campaign has triggered a widespread exodus and led to travel restrictions for military-age men.
Read more: Frontier Myanmar
Evidence Management Law Enacted
The junta has introduced the “Management and Preservation of Evidence Law 2024”, establishing guidelines for evidence handling in criminal investigations. The law creates a central committee chaired by the Union Minister of Home Affairs and sets specific requirements for evidence transfer, documentation, and storage, with hefty penalties for violations.
Read more: VDB-Loi
Thai-Myanmar Border Power Cut
Thailand has confirmed cutting electricity supplies to Myanmar border towns opposite Tak's Mae Ramat and Mae Sot districts since June 2023 to try and combat cybercrime. The measure targets areas known for criminal activities while keeping the power supply on in order to run essential border infrastructure. Thailand plans more measures including the cutting of internet connections to border areas.
Read more: Nation Thailand
Myanmar-India Development Projects
Myanmar and India have signed an MoU supporting three development projects to support gender-based livelihoods and marginalized sectors. The agreement includes vocational training and classroom infrastructure for Home Science Schools in ten states/regions and drug rehabilitation programs in five states/regions.
Read more: Asian News Network
Garment Industry Conditions Worsen
IndustriALL global union is reporting a deteriorating state for Myanmar's garment workers four years after the military coup. Workers are lumbered with forced unpaid overtime, excessive production targets, widespread wage payment delays, and the illegal hiring of minors while being denied proper compensation and benefits.
Read more: Ecotextile
New Military Drone Deployment
The military has begun deploying locally manufactured one-way unmanned combat aerial vehicles across regional commands. The delta-wing-configured 'suicide' drones, smaller than similar Iranian and Chinese models, carry approximately 5kg payloads and have been documented in attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Read more: Janes
ASEAN's Myanmar Approach
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has outlined ASEAN's cautious approach to Myanmar, emphasizing peace and inclusivity over imposing specific governance systems. Recent developments include increased engagement through intelligence agencies while acknowledging the refugee crisis affecting member states.
Read more: Bernama
Public Distrust of Chinese Influence
A mid-2024 survey is showing widespread distrust of China's role in Myanmar, with 54% of key respondents viewing Beijing negatively. Disapproval rises to 72% among civil society organizations, while 60% of ethnic armed organizations are feeling negative sentiments toward China's involvement in the country.
Read more: IP Defense Forum
That’s it for this week… THANK YOU.
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