Domestic News Updates – January 16, 2025 Morning
๐๐ 1. Discussion on Administrative Coordination Efforts between the Interim Local People’s Administration Central Committee and Mandalay Region People's Administrative Groups
On January 15, the National Unity Government (NUG) organized Meeting 2/2025 between the Interim Local People’s Administration Central Committee and the People’s Administrative Groups from Mandalay Region. The meeting was held to discuss administrative coordination efforts.
During the meeting, a member of the secretariat from the Interim Local People’s Administration Central Committee, who is also a Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, delivered the opening remarks. Following this, the members of the People’s Administrative Groups engaged in discussions to address questions and concerns regarding administrative coordination efforts. Relevant ministry officials provided responses to their inquiries.
Attendees of the meeting included Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Associate Permanent Secretaries, departmental heads, and township-level People’s Administrative Group members from Mandalay Region.
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๐๐ 2. Review and Updates on the Draft Interim Federal Constitution by the Sagaing Federal Union Parliament
The Sagaing Federal Union Parliament held a virtual meeting on January 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM via Zoom. The meeting was attended by leading strike committees across the Sagaing region.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Speaker of the Sagaing Federal Union Parliament delivered welcoming remarks. Subsequently, the parliament provided updates on the status of the review and completion of the Draft Interim Federal Constitution (First Draft) and discussed the next steps in the process.
Following this, members of the leading strike committees from the Sagaing region exchanged views with the parliament on collaboration efforts for future processes.
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๐๐ 3. Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany, and Kachin State Academy
On January 15, an online ceremony was held to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, and the Kachin State Academy.
The event was attended by Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, the Minister of Education and Health of the National Unity Government, members of the administrative team from Goethe University, and Dr. Aung Naing Thu, Deputy Principal of the Kachin State Academy, along with principals and senior faculty members from both universities.
During the ceremony, the participants discussed plans for future collaboration aimed at creating enhanced educational opportunities.
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๐๐ 4. Signing of MOU between Mon National College and Chiang Mai Rajabhat University (CMRU)
On January 15, the Mon National College and Chiang Mai Rajabhat University (CMRU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a formal ceremony.
The Mon National College has been actively producing skilled young professionals. Under the provisions of the MOU, Mon youth will have access to improved educational opportunities.
Currently, ethnic colleges and universities are operating in ethnic regions, with ongoing educational collaborations between these institutions and international universities.
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๐๐ 5. Arrest of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Over Military Coup Declaration
On January 15, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, accused in connection with the military coup declared on December 3, was arrested by South Korea’s Anti-Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) on charges of treason, according to Reuters. Over 3,000 police officers surrounded his residence to execute the arrest. It was reported that President Yoon voluntarily surrendered to avoid bloodshed, even though he was under the protection of a small security force.
"I witnessed fire trucks breaching the security perimeter today, which makes the CIO’s investigation illegal. However, I decided to surrender to prevent any unnecessary violence," President Yoon stated in his announcement. Following the withdrawal of the military government decree, President Yoon, who had been under house arrest, was taken into custody from his secured residence in South Korea's Blue House.
The South Korean Anti-Corruption Investigation Office secured an arrest warrant from the court before detaining the President, indicating a formal legal process was followed for the investigation and arrest.
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๐๐ 6. Military Junta Targets 26 Individuals, 17 Facebook Pages, and 10 Accounts Alleged to Influence USD Exchange Rates
The Myanmar military junta announced its intention to take action against 26 individuals and 17 Facebook pages and groups, as well as 10 accounts, accusing them of artificially inflating the US dollar exchange rate to over 4,700 MMK in the domestic market. This statement was released by the Central Bank of Myanmar in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The authorities are investigating individuals and groups suspected of engaging in illicit foreign exchange activities. Of the 26 individuals under scrutiny, 9 have already been charged, while 6 have been formally prosecuted. Additionally, online platforms alleged to facilitate unauthorized foreign currency transactions are being targeted. These include Facebook groups such as:
Gold Price Ygn (Dollar/Gold Traders Group) (Private)
Daily Gold and Currency Prices (Public)
USD Exchange Myanmar (Public)
Daily Exchange Rates for Myanmar (USD/SGD/EURO/AUD/BAHT) (Public)
Singapore-Myanmar Currency Exchange (Public)
Thai-Myanmar Currency Exchange (Public)
International Currency Exchange Rates (Public)
Euro and Dollar Trading Group (Public)
Currency Exchange Myanmar (Private)
Global Gold, Myanmar Gold, Oil, Stocks, and International Currency Markets (Public)
Facebook pages such as Gold Price, MC Exchange, and Golden Myanmar have also been named, alongside individuals like Kyaw Kyaw Oo, Kyaw Htun Lin, Thein Toe Aung, Yin Yin Myo, Kaung Myat Kyaw, Lon Phu, Hnin Khay Ray, Tat Lu (Zayar Tun), Kyaw Thiha, and Mali Kha.
The military has claimed that due to stricter arrests, the US dollar rate had previously dropped to around 4,500 MMK after peaking at 8,000 MMK in 2024. However, it has recently climbed back above 4,700 MMK.
A Yangon-based gold trader commented, "Political instability continues to drive this cycle. Whenever the military tightens control, the rates stabilize. But when rumors of war emerge, the dollar rises, the kyat depreciates, and inflation surges. The root cause is political uncertainty. Only political stability will bring about economic and currency stability."
The report was submitted by Min Thihan, Min Sitt Thway, and Khur Shel of Radio NUG.
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