Gold prices and kyat exchange rate reaches new record; NUG representative to India dismissed – DVB

Gold prices and kyat exchange rate reaches new record

Gold prices have reached a record high of up to seven million kyat per tical (0.0164 kg) on Friday. The regime’s Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association (YGEA) set the price for a tical of gold at 4.6 million kyat ($1,416 USD) on Aug. 7 but it reached nearly seven million kyat ($2,155 USD). 

“The military [regime] set fixed prices to keep commodity prices from rising but actually it didn’t work out in the market. Some gold shops showed the prices set by the association outside their shops but they made [gold] purchases with other prices,” said a gold shop owner with a store on Maha Bandula Road in Yangon. 

In June, the regime arrested 21 gold merchants, accusing them of manipulating gold prices. Several gold shops in Yangon were temporarily shut down. Gold prices have soared since the 2021 military coup. The foreign exchange rate reached a record high of 6,000 kyat per $1 USD on Friday. 

NUG representative to India dismissed

The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Salai Isaac Khen, its representative to India, was dismissed on Aug. 1 following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation. 

The NUG added that its Central Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse ruled that Salai Isaac Khen had “indeed committed sexual harassment.” The committee’s findings were based on documents and witness testimony, according to the NUG. 

Rohingya refugees cross a bamboo bridge in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh in May (Credit: Reuters)

A spike in violence-related injuries among Rohingya

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, released a statement on Aug. 9 that it had treated 49 people with serious injuries for the first time in a year on this scale. Rohingya were targeted in northern Arakan’s Maungdaw Township on Aug. 5. 

“People must not be subjected to indiscriminate attacks and should be allowed to move to safer areas,” said the MSF Country Representative in Bangladesh Orla Murphy. “It is clear that the safe space for civilians in Myanmar is shrinking more each day, with people caught up in ongoing fighting and forced to make perilous journeys to Bangladesh to seek safety.” 

MSF treated patients who escaped from Maungdaw into Bangladesh. Rohingya reported being attacked while attempting to find boats to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh. Some Rohingya confirmed to MSF that they saw hundreds of dead bodies on the riverbanks. MSF suspended all healthcare services in northern Arakan on June 27. 

News by Region

ARAKAN—The Arakan Army (AA) announced on Aug. 8 that five inmates, including two political prisoners, were killed at Thandwe Prison when the military attacked its “rescue” operation in southern Arakan. A total of 372 inmates, including 43 political prisoners, were freed by the AA.

The AA stated that the 43 political prisoners have been returned to their families. It is now examining the 372 non-political prisoners criminal cases “in a legal manner.” The AA seized control of Thandwe Township on July 16.  

CHINLAND—Over 700 refugees from Matupi, Paletwa, Hakha and Thantlang townships staged a protest in Lawngtlai, southern Mizoram State of India, against the AA on Saturday. The protesters called on the AA to leave Chinland.

“The protestors chanted for the AA to leave Paletwa and Matupi,” said a Chin refugee in Lawngtlai. The AA seized Paletwa on Jan. 10 and is fighting alongside the Chin Brotherhood in Kanpetlet, Kyatwee (Kyindwe) and Matupi townships in southern Chinland. 

SHAN—At least 120 prisoners – out of the 2,487 total – were either killed or went missing during attacks by the military on Lashio Prison during fighting with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) July 24-27, according to survivors. The MNDAA took control of the prison on July 28. 

“At least 80 were killed,” Gar Zar, a political prisoner who escaped from Lashio Prison, told DVB. Over 200 political prisoners were released by the MNDAA. Relatives of those freed said that most returned home to their families by Aug. 7. 

The National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) chairperson Sai Lin died from lung cancer at a hospital in China on Aug 8. He was 78. “Sai Lin has passed away. He had been battling lung cancer for over 20 years, and his condition worsened to a point where he could no longer endure it,” Kyi Myint, the NDAA general secretary and spokesperson, told DVB. 

Sai Lin founded the NDAA on April 19, 1989. He was from Muse, located in northern Shan State on the border with China. The NDAA, which is based in eastern Shan State, is a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC). It declared neutrality in Operation 1027 despite its alliance with the MNDAA.  

MANDALAY—Residents and relatives of senior military and police officials in Pyin Oo Lwin have been relocated, sources close to the military told DVB. Rumors of an attack on Pyin Oo Lwin by the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and the Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the MNDAA, the AA, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), circulated online.

“How can they protect the people?” asked a Pyin Oo Lwin resident who was leaving for Mandalay, which is located 40 miles (64 km) south. The military’s Defense Services Academy is located in Pyin Oo Lwin. Regime media dismissed rumors of an impending attack, calling them unfounded.  

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