An Interview with an insider from Myanmar Electrical Supply Enterprise, who obviously wishes to remain anonymous. He has been with the Ministry since he graduated from Institute of Technology until he retired some years ago.

Why is the electrical supply situation in Myanmar so so bad?

It all boils down to management.

Are we talking about management by the central government or management within the ministry?

The level of management by the ministry is limited to managing its own work force and existing supply infrastructure. The ministry has no authority whatsoever to increase the supply of electricity. That decision is solely made by the central government i.e., at the cabinet level.

Let's talk a bit about history. In 1960, we have completed the Law Pi Ta hydro power generation station, in Kayar State, with Japan war aid. There is and all year round waterfall in the area called Law Pi Ta, with the height of 280 ft. Using the power of that waterfall, the station started generating electricity from three turbines, with a total capacity of 164 Mega Watts (MW). In 1967, the electricity demand from Yangon city is only 48 MW. Current the demand from Yangon alone is more than 3,000 MW i.e., 3 Giga Watts. There is no way the total supply is sufficient to satisfy the demand at present.

From Law Pi Ta, the power was first transmitted to Taung Ngu substation via 230kVa lines for more than 200 miles and then to Hlaw Kar main substation. That power was Law Pi Ta was combined with other supplies from other stations in the latter substation. One such station in Yangon is ESB (Electrical Sup- ply Board), that generates electricity from Ahlone area, using three turbines of 10 MW each and six turbines of 5 MW. These turbines can use either coal or furnace oil.

Although the transmission lines that go through deep forests and tall mountains, we have installed many circuit breakers, so the in the event of the birds collision, lightening or some other incidents, the transmission cables would not catch fire. Because of that the power could gone off all of a sudden, as soon as the supply got interrupted at the substations. Else, the substation would become suddenly overloaded with excess demand, destroying many expensive machinery and equipments. So, we have to cut off power quickly too to the Yangon city.

You cannot store electric power on a commercial basis. You can save some into batteries, but not on a commercial scale.

The reason for the electrical situation getting worse and worse, could be attributed to lack of new power stations like Law Pi Ta?

No, it is not true. Until the mid70s, the power supply is still sufficient. Thereafter, the consumption continued to go up but the supply remains static. In the early 90s the demand already exceeded 100 MW in Yangon alone.

One of the reasons is lack of coordination at the very top of government. They believed that the issues related to power supply is the responsibility of the ministry (electric power), led by a minister.

When relating to gas supply, it is handled by ministry of energy, led by another minister. After we established additional hydro powered and many gas powered stations, the combined output of these stations were sufficient for the demand at the specific point of time. But we have no gas supply to run these turbines. According to the ministry of energy, gas is critical for foreign currency earnings. And the minister took enormous pride to show off the fact that he generated loads of $ for the country, in front of then defect-o leader SG Than Shwe. Since the supply of natural gas to the Ministry of Electric Power was always limited, we could not operate the gas turbines up to their maximum capacity.

Since the gas supply from the ministry was always limited, why did we not go all in for hydro power?

Hydro power stations are more expensive to build and it can take like five years for one station to be functional. Contrast that with gas powered station once you buy the gas turbines, they can be operated immediately once they are supplied with gas.

We did build more than five hydro power stations. But other than Shwe Li and Law Pi Ta the Japanese built, hydro stations are based on water supply from dams and these dams do run dry during the hot season, making the energy source unavailable for turbines to run.

Shwe Li is near Muse, close to the China border. SG Than Shwe was already committed to funding and building the power plant using internal funds. But the ministers from our ministry wanted to avoid taking responsibility to successfully accomplish this project. They knew it would require undivided attention and dedicated efforts. I guessed doing hard work for the country was not in their agenda. So they suggested an easier alternative for themselves; instead of us funding the whole thing ourselves, why don't we do a joint venture with the Chinese and save money! The proposal was accepted by the country's leaders and as a result, the Chinese constructed the station and took the output from four out of the six turbines available, to China. Eventually they did give the output back from all six, as the supplies in Yunnan became sufficient, but for a fee. What a good deal for the Chinese and vice versa.

Among the successive governments, which one did the best for electricity generation?

My guess would be SG Than Shwe government. May be they are in power for many years. They did try very hard to improve the electricity situation in Myanmar. But the issue was with the ministries. There was competition among ministries for credit and favours. Just to give you an example, the energy minister once said that giving gas for electric power generation is akin to burning money. He did not see the potential out of supplying sufficient power to public and businesses. This is just one case of animosities and strives among ministries.

That was year 2000+ situation, where the power generation was sufficient, but infighting caused shortages in supplies. Nowadays, the consumption has gone up so much that even if all turbines were sufficiently supplied, it would not be enough to satisfy the existing demand.

There was not one government who totally ignored the need to increase power supply. But the nature of power generation itself required some technical knowledge and expertise. It is not the same as other ministries or works. But I found most of the senior government personnel had very little understanding of it. The top brass may give green light for a generating plant, but they did not envisage the requirements further down the supply chain, such as transmission lines, substations and distribution networks.

What do we need to have 24 by 7 power supply at least in Yangon?

We can set up a very large power plant near Yangon. The fuel could be coal or gas. Khin Mg Thein, who was an MD of our ministry and who later on got promoted to become the minister for energy, during that time, knowing that the power generation within the country is totally insufficient, decided to get the project to build the 200MW gas power plant, in Dala, right opposite of Yan- gon city. But the project got completely abandoned. When BG Lun Thi took over as minister of energy, after Khin Mg Thein's transfer to ministry of finance, he told SG Than Shwe that the project would use up lots of gas production (source of foreign income) within the country. I felt that the far-sightedness of Khin Mg Thein has been circumvented by short-sightedness of Lun Thi.

So one of the reasons for electrical failures in Myanmar is due to intense one-upmanship among ministers, while trying to gain favours from #1 guy at the top. 

Government has just increased electricity prices roughly around 60+%; but service, frequency and supply did not increase. Why is that?

You have to know that the party responsible for increasing the prices are different from those entities proving service and supply. Hence, the latter continued as incompetently as usual.

How much investment are we talking about, in generation, transmission, distribution, all in all, to rescue electricity sector in Yangon?

There is nothing much to be altered in Yangon. We just need to build a huge power plant near Yangon. That's all we need. We need a minimum 3GW plant. I do not know the cost estimates.

Why so many duplicate lamp posts alongside of roads in Yangon? Why we cannot put our cables underground like other countries?

There are actually only two lamp posts; one by ministry of electric power and the other by posts and telecom. The latter ones are smaller posts. We cannot put them underground because we have no money for that. It is just a money issue. Some posts even got onto the roads as they was no co-ordination between the ministry and YCDC.

They will correct or move the post whenever their budget come along or someone higher up makes a complaint.

As I said at the start, it's all about management. We cannot simply leave this matter to negotiation between ministries. We need someone higher up to give them direct instructions for the betterment of the country.

Nori Lynn

Reference: Myanmar Insider

A ceremony of remarks on observation by international election observers who monitored Phase I of the multiparty democratic general election held in 102 townships on 28 December 2025 took place at the Jasmine Nay Pyi Taw Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, with an address by Chairman of the Union Election Commission U Than Soe.
Also present at the ceremony were UEC member U Myo Hlaing, deputy ministers, election observation delegations led by Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Mr Sholban Kara-Ool, Central Election Commission member of Russian Mr Igor Borisov, Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Deng Xijun, Ms Chen Xuanbo from the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Deputy Chairman of the Election Commission of Kazakhstan Mr Yerman Mukhtar, member of the Cambodian Election Commission Mr Yich Samethy, Head of International Relations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Nguyen Duc Thinh, Mr Mario Jose Armengol Campos from Nicaragua, Retired Maj-Gen Mr Sahni Arun Kumar of India and Mr Yusuke Watanabe of the Japan-Myanmar Association, directors-general of the relevant ministries, and officials from the UEC Office and guests.
Speaking on the occasion, the UEC Chairman said that the Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and State Security and Peace Commission Chairman expressed his pleasure and gratitude for being able to visit and observe the election process. The UEC Chairman emphasized that holding the election is crucial for forming the respective Hluttaws, and through the Hluttaws, assigning responsibilities to the President, Vice-President, administrative bodies, and union-level organizations appointed by the President, thereby enabling the government to carry out its duties. It is therefore important that the election is conducted fully and in accordance with the law.
The 2025 multiparty democratic general election marks an important milestone for the nation. The role of the observers who participated in monitoring the election process for correctness, integrity, and credibility is extremely significant. Their participation has highlighted the importance of transparency, freedom, fairness, and collaborative coordination in the democratic process. Their observations and recommendations will strengthen public confidence and contribute to the further development and flourishing of the democratic system.
Myanmar’s foreign policy is independent, active, and non-aligned. It is based on the principles of global peace and maintaining friendly relations with other nations. On this foundation, it will be possible to promote and strengthen cooperation through mutual understanding and goodwill between countries.
The UEC Chairman expressed his delight and was deeply grateful for the sincere support and steadfast friendship of the observation teams toward Myanmar. Their encouragement reflects true camaraderie and brotherhood. Not only will the governments of their countries and Myanmar continue to maintain strong relations, but the ties between the peoples of both countries will also remain as enduring bonds of friendship.
The UEC Chairman invited them to openly and transparently share their observations and comments regarding their election monitoring experience. By receiving their perspectives, the commission will be able to identify ways to carry out future activities even more effectively.
Election observers from the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and Cambodia gave their remarks on the election observation process.

Mr Sholban Kara-Ool, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation
Distinguished Chairman of the Union Election Commission of Myanmar, officials, and international guests, yesterday, we observed the election of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar held in collaboration with international election observation teams. Our delegation included not only representatives from political parties in Russia but also representatives from the Election Commission. They have experience studying elections not only in Myanmar but also in other countries on multiple occasions. We have also shared the experiences of our team members. Therefore, we are here to observe Myanmar’s election by comparing it with our own experiences. During our observation yesterday, we clearly saw the efforts and dedication of the Myanmar Election Commission. This work is definitely not easy, and it is evident that they are truly putting in a lot of effort. While we were observing, we noticed that voters were using electronic voting machines. According to officials, these machines are fully protected against any external electronic interference, and we could see that these machines were functioning properly and reliably. No signs of outside disruption were observed. Using these machines ensures that the election results are genuine and credible. The use of electronic voting machines in this election is a real advantage. From what we observed, these machines greatly reduced the time required for voting compared to previous elections. The voting process was faster, and voters were organized in long, orderly lines, participating actively and happily. We also saw that the staff members of the Union Election Commission were serving their duties attentively and energetically. Yesterday, we exchanged brief greetings with voters and asked a few questions. All of them were enthusiastic and showed genuine interest in the election. They said they were preparing to vote actively and happily. We also observed that party representatives monitoring the election were performing their duties carefully. Some voters were even waiting at polling stations with their family members, which reflects a true sense of communal participation. Seeing this, we feel that the public has confidence in the election and in its security measures. Therefore, I would like to express my pride and satisfaction regarding the election. We, as the Russian delegation, are proud of the successful conduct of the election and the dedication of those responsible for ensuring its smooth operation and full security. Therefore, we believe that both the organizers of the election and the participating citizens will achieve the stability, peace, development, and success they desire. The diligent and lawful efforts made in conducting the election are not to be forgotten. I am confident that those responsible are carrying out their duties with great care. In conclusion, I would like to express that we are pleased and proud of the Election Commission staff for their dedicated efforts, the sincere commitment of Myanmar’s leaders to the election, and the strong enthusiasm of the people. We convey our heartfelt congratulations on the successful conduct of phase 1 of the election.

Mr Igor Borisov, Member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation
Distinguished friends attending the ceremony, Mingalaba! Our delegation leader has already shared a very comprehensive view of the election being held in Myanmar, and I would like to add a few of my own observations. The already-conducted election is transparent and in accordance with the law, and I would like to express our gratitude for that. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of those responsible, we had the opportunity to observe the election closely. We were able to speak with some of the voters and also visit polling stations to interact with the staff of the Union Election Commission. We learned about the operation of the Electronic Voting Machines as well. We would like to commend the organizers for arranging both the election process for our observation and the use of the electronic voting machines. From the legal framework to the organization of the election, the security measures, and the active work of the staff, we, as the Russian Election Commission, can confidently declare that this is a high-standard, transparent, and well-conducted election. I would like to add that this election was conducted in an orderly manner, and we did not observe any opponents of the election or those trying to derail the democratic path. In the early stages before the election, there were some attempts on the internet to spread news aimed at disrupting the election. We are well aware that Myanmar’s election was targeted through information technology attacks. However, both the Election Commission and the citizens successfully overcame these challenges, ensuring that the election process could proceed smoothly along the democratic path. I also want to emphasize again the support from the Head of State of Myanmar and the active participation of the people, which made it possible to successfully carry out the election. Finally, I would like to note that if Myanmar needs assistance regarding electoral matters, we are ready to provide support.

Mr Deng Xijun, Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
On behalf of our country, I would like to express our gratitude for inviting us to come and observe. We are especially pleased and honoured to have had the opportunity, over the past three days, to study how Myanmar is organizing and conducting its election. We are particularly grateful to the Myanmar Election Commission for inviting and granting us this observation opportunity. Notably, the successful conduct of these elections reflects the agreements and cooperative efforts between Myanmar’s Acting President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Myanmar and China have been collaborating on many initiatives, and China continues to provide substantial support to Myanmar. Yesterday, we visited six polling stations in Nay Pyi Taw. From my observations, everything appeared to be well-organised and running smoothly. Specifically, the preparation and arrangement of the polling stations were systematic, and we saw voters participating actively. At the last polling station, even about an hour before closing, people were still lined up and waiting to cast their votes. We observed that the staff responsible for the election were performing their duties accurately and efficiently. They were carefully verifying voters’ ID cards and information, working with patience and diligence. The first part of this election is proceeding smoothly and peacefully. Since it has been successful, we believe that Phases II and III can also be conducted successfully. We also noticed that voters have expectations that after the election, their lives will improve, the economy will get better, and in some areas, conflicts will decrease, leading to greater peace and stability. This election is an internal affair for Myanmar, and from China’s perspective, it is successful. We believe it will contribute to national reconciliation and coexistence. China and Myanmar maintain good, friendly, and cooperative relations. We are always ready to assist Myanmar and are committed to supporting initiatives that foster development between the two countries. Therefore, we hope that this election will contribute to the economic and social development of Myanmar through collaborative efforts.

Mr Alexei Bashan, Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Belarus
On 28 December 2025, as part of the Belarusian delegation, we came as observers to study and monitor how the elections of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar are being conducted. The first thing I noticed is that the Election Commission’s operational capacity is highly organized and of excellent quality. Every effort has been made at the designated polling stations to ensure that citizens can vote freely and securely. Ensuring such security is extremely important for each polling station. We observed that many voters personally came to cast their votes to make their own choices and decide their future. This is very positive because young people and family members were actively participating, showing genuine interest and respect for the process. Today, we noticed that citizens are making every effort to elect representatives to the parliament. These elected representatives will later form a government and continue to build the nation. We observed that the people of Myanmar are actively participating because they want to personally determine their own destiny. This is particularly impressive and a source of great pride. We also noticed that there were no violations of the law, and the innovative use of electronic voting machines highlights a modern approach to voting. This technology speeds up the process and eliminates delays. There were no long lines of voters; everything was simple, fast, and efficient. We are especially pleased that necessary preparations, including initial training for polling station staff and voters, were carried out in advance. Citizens of all ages came on time to vote with confidence. Overall, seeing smiles on the faces of voters indicates their trust and belief in their future. Thank you.

Mr Shpakouski Aliaksandr, Member of Parliament of Belarus
The leaders of the Parliamentary Committee on Cooperation with the Republic of the Union of Myanmar arrived in Myanmar on 24 December and today visited three polling stations in the city. At present, conditions are peaceful and calm, and every measure has been taken to ensure that citizens can freely express their will. Elections are the only legitimate path in the political process, and we believe they provide fair competition in establishing authority and convening the Hluttaw. Concrete steps are being taken for dialogue and cross-party consensus. Political groups that refuse to participate in society are removing themselves from the legal framework and pursuing paths inconsistent with the constitutional framework. Such groups are undermining election activities in certain areas to prevent the proper conduct of the electoral process. We believe that, based on the results of the Hluttaw elections, lawful governing bodies can be formed in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Belarus is always ready to assist and support in this process. Over the past four years, the Myanmar government has achieved successes in addressing domestic political issues. Although challenges remain, Belarus remains prepared to provide necessary political support to our friends in Myanmar, and the presence of Belarusian observers is part of this commitment. This serves as a testament that our leaders support Myanmar’s goal of peace and the stable and secure development of its territory.

Mr Yerman Mukhtar, Deputy Chairman of the Election Commission of Kazakhstan
First of all, I would like to extend my greetings to all the distinguished guests who are here this event. I would like to begin by stating that all the guests present here will play an important role in building close diplomatic relations between Myanmar and Kazakhstan. I am the Deputy Chairman of the Election Commission of Kazakhstan. The main purpose of our delegation’s visit is to observe and study the elections being held in Myanmar, to further strengthen and continue diplomatic cooperation between our two countries, and to discuss matters of mutual interest. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the Myanmar Election Commission for their warm welcome and for creating the best possible conditions for our observation mission. Since our arrival, we have received a great deal of relevant information regarding the elections conducted in Myanmar, both in Yangon and in Nay Pyi Taw. In particular, the speech delivered by the Chairman of the Myanmar Election Commission enabled us to gain a clear understanding of all the processes being carried out by the Commission and the technological aspects that will be used in the elections. We observed that the elections in Myanmar involve truly practical and genuinely competitive electoral processes. We are also considering applying the positive practices and valuable information we observed here in our own country. I would like to share a few of my observations regarding the elections. Conducting an election within a single day is indeed a very large and demanding task. In doing so, we were able to see one of the challenging aspects faced by the Election Commission. Bringing together and managing large numbers of people in a single day is extremely difficult. We also observed that, in carrying out the elections, not only the Election Commission but also representatives from the respective political parties came to observe and that all parties were cooperating in the process. Another point we observed is that the voter lists have been prepared very carefully and systematically. At the respective polling stations, arrangements have been made so that all voters can easily find their names on the lists. In addition, voters are able to check their names not only on the posted voter list boards but also in the register upon arrival at the polling station, sign their names, and then proceed to the voting booth to cast their ballots by secret vote. We also observed that voting machines were used at polling stations in a thorough and highly effective manner. Voters participated actively and cast their ballots enthusiastically. Furthermore, we noted that journalists from both domestic and international media were gathering news on the election process, and that state-owned media were also reporting on and broadcasting the elections. One particularly important point is that a large number of young people were among those casting ballots. This demonstrates that, with strong youth participation in the electoral process, Myanmar’s young people hold great hope and expectations for the country’s future. In addition, I would like to state that we are ready to further strengthen and expand diplomatic relations between our two countries. In conclusion, I wish the elections in Myanmar every success and a smooth completion. Thank you all.

Mr Yich Samethy, Member of Election Commission in Cambodia
On behalf of the Election Commission of Cambodia, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to visit and observe. Yesterday, when I visited the polling stations in Nay Pyi Taw, I would like to share the following observations. First, I observed that the preparation and conduct of the polling stations were extremely well organized, complete, and peaceful. Voters were able to participate in the election in an orderly manner, exercising their democratic rights without any external interference, obstruction, sabotage, or intimidation. Secondly, all officials on duty at the polling stations were carrying out the voting, vote-counting, and overall electoral processes properly and thoroughly in accordance with the prescribed laws and regulations. Another key point is transparency. Throughout the entire voting process, it was conducted openly and transparently. The opening and closing of polling stations, voting, and vote counting were all carried out carefully with the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including state authorities. We observed that political parties, as well as international election observers and the media, were also able to participate and cooperate throughout the process. Fourth, by using Myanmar’s electronic voting machines, voters were able to cast their ballots in a way that made both voting and vote counting faster and more accurate than before. In addition, we observed that voters coming to cast their ballots had a good understanding of how to use the voting machines. Fifth, we also found that not only were voters able to vote at polling stations in a safe and secure environment, but appropriate and reliable security arrangements were also in place for polling station staff. Sixth, we did not observe any irregularities or misconduct of any kind. In addition to the absence of such issues, we found that the election was conducted smoothly and effectively, with no instances of improper procedures. Furthermore, polling stations were easily accessible for all voters, and the voting process was convenient and well organized. As a result, we observed that this election process was comprehensive and carried out with full accountability. In conclusion, in accordance with the invitation of the Government of Myanmar, we came to observe the 2025 general election and visited numerous polling stations during our observation. At the polling stations we observed, the elections were conducted calmly and properly in accordance with the law and relevant regulations, and were carried out in a free, fair, and transparent manner. Moreover, as we did not observe any irregularities whatsoever, we found that the entire election process was sound, credible, and able to gain broad public trust. Therefore, we hope that future stages of the elections will also be conducted as smoothly and effectively as at this stage. We would also like to express our gratitude for the invitation. As the year 2026 approaches, we wish all colleagues and distinguished guests a happy and prosperous New Year. Thank you.
The UEC Chairman spoke words of appreciation. — MNA/TTA

gnlm

Daw Aye Aye Thein
Director, Department of Immigration, Ministry of Immigration and Population

I am going to explain the current implementation status of the Ministry of Immigration and Population regarding the repatriation of displaced persons from Rakhine State. Due to the incidents that occurred in northern Rakhine State in 2016 and 2017, approximately 500,000 residents from that area fled to neighbouring Bangladesh of their own volition. To facilitate the systematic verification and repatriation process, the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a bilateral agreement on 23 November 2017.
In accordance with the repatriation agreements between Myanmar and Bangladesh, five fundamental principles of eligibility were established as the criteria for the return process. The criteria are as follows: those wishing to return must be individuals who genuinely resided in Myanmar. The returnees must be individuals who wish to return to Myanmar voluntarily. For separated family members, remaining family members, and orphans, a certification of authenticity from a Bangladesh court must be provided. Children born in the neighbouring country must be the offspring of parents who can be verified as former residents of Myanmar. For children born during the conflict, a certification of authenticity from a Bangladesh court must be provided.
In order to implement the repatriation process in accordance with these criteria, officials from Myanmar and Bangladesh signed the ‘Physical Arrangement’ plan on 15 January 2018.
Furthermore, the Joint Working Group (JWG) for the repatriation process, led by officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both Myanmar and Bangladesh, was established in November 2018. Between 2018 and 2022, a total of five JWG meetings were held alternately in Myanmar and Bangladesh to conduct discussions.
In accordance with the repatriation agreement between Myanmar and Bangladesh, the Bangladesh side sent the lists of over 800,000 displaced persons in six separate batches between 2018 and 2021 to verify those eligible under the repatriation criteria.
To verify whether the lists of over 800,000 displaced persons sent by Bangladesh were indeed former residents of Myanmar, the department developed a Civil Registration software. Using this software, our staff performed cross-verification by inputting data from the 2016 household lists, which include family photos and records, collected by the department in northern Rakhine State.
As of 16 January 2026, we have completed the cross-verification of over 300,000 individuals listed in the verification forms. The verified data for these individuals has already been transmitted to the Bangladesh side through diplomatic channels.
Among the verified residents with confirmed proof of residency, the Bangladesh side announced they would return a first batch of over 2,000 people in November 2018, and a second batch of over 3,000 people in August 2019. Although Myanmar made all necessary arrangements to receive them by opening two repatriation centres, Bangladesh failed to send them back on both occasions.
Moreover, we have arranged and implemented the repatriation process under a ‘Pilot Project’ for displaced persons from Rakhine State. Based on the discussions held between officials of both countries in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in February 2020, an agreement was reached for the initial repatriation of 840 displaced persons.
From among them, 711 individuals who were verified to have displaced as entire families were approved for repatriation under the Pilot Project. In order to accept the 711 individuals along with their related family members simultaneously, and to implement in accordance with the decisions made during the fifth JWG meeting, an ad-hoc verification team led by the Head of the Rakhine State Immigration Department conducted its first on-site verification visit to Teknaf, Bangladesh, in March 2023. Based on those interviews, 465 related family members were verified. Together with the 711 individuals previously cleared, a total of 1,176 individuals were approved for repatriation.
On 5 May 2023, Myanmar officials hosted and presented detailed briefings for a ‘Go and See Visit’ consisting of seven officials from Bangladesh and 20 representatives of the displaced persons camps. They were escorted to observe the specific villages designated for the resettlement of returnees. On 30 June 2023, in accordance with the decisions made under the ‘New Bilateral Initiative’ co-sponsored by both countries, a total of 2,807 individuals were approved for repatriation under the Pilot Project. This total includes 1,766 individuals who were verified as entire families previously residing in northern Maungdaw with no criminal records, alongside 1,041 individuals out of the 1,176 previously cleared by the first on-site verification team. In order to facilitate the simultaneous return of the 2,807 individuals along with their related family members, a Myanmar verification team and ‘Go and Talk’ members travelled to Teknaf, Bangladesh, for a second mission to conduct further interviews in October 2023. Based on the results of the second verification mission, it was officially decided and approved to repatriate a total of 2,933 verified individuals.
Under the Pilot Project, twenty villages have been designated for the resettlement of the 2,933 approved returnees. The process was organized through the opening of two reception centres, Ngakhuya and Taungpyoletwe, with a planned capacity to verify and accept 250 individuals per week at each centre, totalling 500 returnees per week. There were plans for the verified returnees to temporarily settle at the Hlapoekaung Transit Centre before moving them to the 20 designated villages. Furthermore, arrangements were made to collaborate with relevant ministries to provide necessary support for their livelihoods and basic needs, including food, clothing, and shelter.
As UNDP and UNHCR offered to provide support for the repatriation process of displaced persons from Rakhine State, a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Immigration and Population, UNDP, and UNHCR on 6 June 2018. UNDP and UNHCR have provided support for regional development projects in northern Rakhine State, including livelihood programmes, basic infrastructure, access to water, the repair of roads and bridges, and assistance in education, healthcare, and social services. At present, the Ministry of Immigration and Population continues to renew the MOU with UNDP and UNHCR on an annual basis to ensure the ongoing implementation of regional development projects, contingent upon the local security situation.
Despite Myanmar’s comprehensive preparations and readiness to facilitate the repatriation process, there has been no return of displaced persons from the Bangladesh side to date.
Nevertheless, I would like to state that Myanmar remains fully prepared to facilitate a smooth and successful repatriation process for displaced persons from northern Rakhine State, should they choose to return of their own free will.

Daw Thida Myint (aka) Junila
Khaungdukka (Bengali) Village, 
Sittway

My name is Thida Myint. My Muslim name is Junila. I am from Khaungdukka Village, and I have three children. Government departmental officials come here for vaccinations, and others provide general medical injections and treatment. If we have emergency cases, we have to go to Thetkaepyin Hospital.
The village elders and local community leaders have collaborated to establish a guard plan by household. For example, ten houses will be on security duty today, another ten houses tomorrow, and so on, following a scheduled and organized security arrangement. We mainly do farming. In our village, there are shops and also many daily casual labourers. There is nothing special beyond that. There are no restrictions at all. We can travel freely and smoothly.
There are no restrictions at all. Access to healthcare services is on a regular basis, and if there are many patients and the medicines are not sufficient, we can go to Thetkaepyin Hospital and receive treatment for free. Everything is free, and that is how it is arranged. In Khaungdukka Village, we have a post-primary school. Once children finish post-primary school, they have to attend the Thetkaepyin High School. The nearest school to us is Thetkaepyin School, so we go there. Education is completely free. The government has arranged everything.
We applied for our citizenship scrutiny cards and have already received them. We went to the Immigration Department office ourselves and applied in person. Since we had all the required documents, everything was in order. We received it very quickly. We also had the right to vote this year. Our names were registered in the Thae Chaung area, so we went there to vote. Everyone was able to vote freely.
We also saw that some people who were not in voter lists still went happily just to observe the voting process. Everything was calm and peaceful.

gnlm

U Hla Thein
Rakhine State Advocate-General and state government spokesperson
My name is U Hla Thein. I am also the Advocate-General of Rakhine State. I am also the spokesperson of the Rakhine State government. I have to speak about these Bengali camps. In our Rakhine State, the conflicts between the Bengalis and the Rakhine were quite severe and on a large scale in 2012.
After that, we began establishing the Bengali camps to the west of Sittway. They were built jointly by the government and NGOs. At that time, there were 14 camps, and the population was quite large. As of today, based on my own experience, I am saying this. At that time, I was also serving as the Advocate-General. Now, I have again been assigned the responsibility to serve as the Advocate-General here, so regarding these matters, I have been very directly involved in the work myself. That is why I know them well.
So, regarding the camps, teams were formed for each camp, and state-level departmental heads were assigned as team leaders to carry out the work. Regarding healthcare in those camps, starting from that time, mobile medical teams have been going around and providing medical treatment every month. Later on, we provided rural health services. And in Thetkaepyin, we built a station hospital with a capacity of sixteen beds.
Regarding medical treatment, if people from the Bengali camps and Bengali villages needed to be admitted to the Sittway General Hospital during the time of conflict, the government, in cooperation with the Red Cross, arranged for the patients to be treated at the Sittway Hospital. As for the education sector as well, there are many villages in that area. Since there are also camps, there are about 22 schools in total, including primary, middle, and high schools. The highest level is the Thetkaepyin High School. If students pass primary school, there is a post-primary school there.
There is a middle school as well, and then they can continue to the Thetkaepyin High School. Last year, students from this high school passed the matriculation examination with distinctions in three subjects. There are also Bengalis who passed from the Thetkaepyin School and are now studying at the Sittway University. Therefore, in terms of education, it is not bad. Regarding food supplies, they are provided by NGOs, especially by the WFP (World Food Programme). The state government also cooperates and participates in assisting. UNHCR also provides support. His main focus is on ensuring access to clean drinking water and, secondly, on housing in good condition for rehabilitation.
In some periods, there were also fires caused by negligence, so the camps had to be rebuilt. Recently, ten blocks were burned down in Say Tha Mar Gyi village, where we went. Each block contained 18 houses, making a total of shelters for 180 families. So we arranged temporary accommodation for them. Now, the rebuilding is underway, and by the end of this month, we will have resettled everyone. Especially in terms of medical treatment, at present, there aren’t any checkpoints restricting movement. At the Sittway Hospital as well, there are quite a large number of them. Just recently, a Buddhist monk came to the Sittway Hospital and provided support and assistance to the patients. You will see many Bengalis at the hospital. “Impala’ is the Myanmar name, which is ‘Aung Mingala’.
In 2012, there were conflicts. In 2013 and 2014, depending on the situation of those conflicts, we set up barricades in cooperation with Tatmadaw and the police around this village and checked and controlled the entry and exit of people. The main reason was that there was only one Bengali quarter among the Rakhine quarters, so we were protecting them. It is heard that the barricades have been removed since 2014. At that time, the Chief Minister was Maj-Gen Maung Maung Ohn. When U Maung Maung Ohn was serving as Chief Minister, the American billionaire George Soros visited. We were there as well.
During that period of time, there were still barricades in place. After that, from 2014 onwards, there were no more barricades. Now, in that village, Rakhine people also freely go in and out. Bengalis are also able to move around and travel freely. In general, Bengalis and Rakhine have lived together here throughout history.
During the periods when they lived together, there were social issues and problems. When conflicts occurred, there were resentments and problems. However, at the same point, those issues eventually fade away and are resolved. Now, both sides are living calmly and peacefully. The living conditions, healthcare, education, and overall social and economic well-being of the Bengalis are also good. You can also see them opening large shops and doing business in areas like Thae Chaung and Ta Paing.

U Kyaw Thein Maung (a) Mamauk Amee
Camp member of the Khaungdukka IDP Camp
My name is U Kyaw Thein Maung, (aka) Mamauk Amee. This camp was established in 2012. In that year, the government and NGOs worked together to build it for us. After it was built, we faced difficulties once again. On 1 March 2025, a fire broke out, and the camp was burned. After the fire, the Rakhine State government came and helped us a great deal. They provided both money and relief supplies, and they also cooked and distributed meals for us.
I am the camp leader. Among the 15 members of the committee, I am the most senior. The Rakhine State government gave us very strong support. On the very day the fire broke out, they came in the morning with fire trucks and extinguished the fire. Then again, in the afternoon, around 4 pm, they came to put out the fire, provided water, and also cooked and served food to us. They cooked and provided meals for us for two to three days, and then they helped us a great deal by giving both rice and money so that every household could cook for themselves.
There are 50 buildings in the camp, with a total of 400 rooms. I have seven children. Three of them are already married: one daughter and two sons. The remaining four are not married yet. We are proud of the Rakhine State government. Government teams that conduct household assessments supervise and take care of us. We heard that rebuilding the camp after the fire cost more than two billion kyats. After the fire, they first provided us with temporary shelter using tarpaulin tents. With the government’s own budget, they rebuilt the camp for us. Now that the reconstruction is complete, we are able to live in these new buildings. All of this assistance was provided by the Rakhine State government in cooperation with NGOs. News Team

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A statement of U Aung Naing Oo, Sittway District Administrator of General Administration Department on independent livelihoods of residents from Aungmingala Ward in Sittway of Rakhine State and another statement of Daw Tin Ni Shwe (a) Nang Rang Saw Ra, residing in Say Tha Mar Gyi Village of Sittway on arrangements of the government for accomodation, health and education sectors were described as follows: –

U Aung Naing Oo (Director)
District Administrator, Sittway District General Administration Department
Now, we arrive in Aungmingala Ward. We see the school in Aungmingala Ward. There are one government’s school and two schools teaching Arabi language. Students from the ward are learning education at the government’s school under full strength of teachers. In our ward, after the 2012 conflict, during 2013-2014, there was security provided outside for the safety of the residents, and gates were set up. After 2014, the gates were removed, and people have been able to move around freely. There are no obstacles or restrictions anymore. Similarly, we also have a busy market nearby, which the local residents of the ward call the ‘Democracy Market.’ At present, this ward is a place where Rakhine indigenous people, other ethnic groups, and Bengali people in Sittway can move about freely without restriction.
This school has a vacant plot, and arrangements are being made to expand it. The school we visited is Aungmingala Ward Basic Education Middle School, where students from the ward are studying. Moreover, plans are underway to build a new school building on the vacant plot to allow further expansion. The area we visited also includes a market in Aungmingala Ward, Sittway, called the ‘Democracy Market.’ In this market, Bengali people from the ward buy and sell goods, and Rakhine indigenous people and other ethnic groups also trade there. Currently, people are able to move and carry out their activities freely and peacefully in this area.

Daw Tin Ni Shwe (a) Nang Rang Saw Ra
Say Tha Mar Gyi Village, Sittway
I have been living here for a long time, about thirty years. I am married and have four children. Regarding medical treatment, we can receive healthcare from the government. The government health department comes once a month to give vaccinations, especially for children. For patients like us, they also come once a week or once every fifteen days to provide medical treatment. We are here to live freely.
In terms of our security, we have an administrative system, including the ward administrator, the household heads, and group leaders. They provide protection for us, and if we need help, we can go and inform them and they will assist us together. We receive good support and opportunities from them. The government also provides us with the best possible support. I work odd-job. I work as a casual labourer. But it is fine. My husband is also a casual labourer.
There are no restrictions at all. We live completely freely, without any disturbance. The government allows us to live freely and peacefully. Everything is fine and satisfactory. Regarding healthcare, as I mentioned, the health department comes once a month to give vaccinations. They give vaccines to pregnant women as well. For children, when they reach two months of age, they are given vaccinations. In real emergency situations, the government provides medical treatment, and we can go there and receive treatment freely.
Regarding education, in our Say Tha Mar Gyi Village we have a post-primary school. Children can study there up to Grade 7. For Grades 8, 9, and 10, the government arranges schools for them in Thetkaepyin. They can go to those schools and attend freely. As for the identity card, in 2017 there was a program under which the government’s Immigration Department came and processed applications. Some people received their cards, and some did not. I am still in the process of applying, and I hope that we will receive it. I am not eligible to vote yet, but I went to observe.

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The Myanmar-Korea Friendship Bridge (Dala), the highest steel cable-stayed bridge in Myanmar, opened on 6 February. The bridge has already become a Yangon landmark, with thousands of people using it daily.
Below, we share the accounts of those who have travelled between Dala and Yangon by road and water since the bridge’s opening, as well as those whose livelihoods depend on it.

Ma Mya Phu Ngon (vendor)
My name is Mya Phu Ngon. I live near the Dala-Twantay junction and work at a shop on Latha Road, near Yangon General Hospital. Before the bridge was completed and the YBS (Yangon Bus Service) began operating, I had to take an ‘Oway’ (three-wheeler) to the jetty, cross to Yangon by boat, and then walk to work. The return journey was the same. Now, I can take the YBS directly. Previously, a round-trip cost about K5,000, but now it is only K1,000. In the past, I had to leave by 3 pm or 4 pm to ensure I could get home; now, I can stay in Yangon until the bus arrives at 5 pm or 6 pm.

U Myint Than (boat driver)
My name is U Myint Than. Previously, after deducting fuel costs and tolls, I would have about K30,000-K40,000 left. Now, that has been reduced by half. I am thinking about what future job opportunities might arise now that the bridge is open. I believe factories will soon move here; if that happens, there will be new opportunities for us.

U Ye Ko Ko (driver, YBS 58)
My name is Ye Ko Ko, and I am a driver for YUPT. Our buses run from Botahtaung to the Dala-Twantay junction, starting at 6 am. Currently, they run every 30 minutes, depending on passenger numbers. We plan to increase the frequency to every 15 minutes as demand grows. Since most of our passengers are travelling to Twantay, and these buses currently stop at the Dala Bridge, passengers want the route extended further. We have submitted this proposal to the YBS company. If we adjust the route, we can better serve both Dala and Twantay residents. The previous routes were never this crowded; there were few passengers after office hours. Now, the buses are busy at all times. In the evenings, especially, buses are full in both directions. It’s wonderful to see – you can see young and old people alike enjoying trips across the bridge in groups.

Ma Su Hlaing Htwe (vendor)
I am Ma Su Hlaing Htwe. I work at the U Maung Khaing fruit shop near the Aye Myat Mon clothing shop on the Dala side of the bridge. Now that the bridge is open, more people are visiting Dala from Yangon, so sales of Twantay fruits are more brisk than before. Travel has become much easier and faster for us, and transport costs for our goods have been significantly reduced. If you are visiting Dala from Yangon, please come and support us at the Aye Myat Mon garment shop and U Maung Khaing fruit shop!

U Tun Aung (Jetty station supervisor)
My name is U Tun Aung, and I am the supervisor at the jetty station. We manage two jetties: Kama Aung and Thanlyat. Since the bridge opened, passenger numbers have decreased. Before the opening, there were over 150 ferries; now, there are only about 60. Drivers used to earn about K50,000 a day, leaving them with K30,000-K40,000 after costs. Now, they take home about K20,000. We are still operating, though the fleet has shrunk. — ASH/MKKS

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