As a consequence of the sanctions imposed by western countries against the Myanmar military, the currency exchange rate and basic commodity prices reached to its all-time high.

 

The Central Bank held the meeting to control the increasing exchange rate and a day after its meeting, the exchange rate seemed to stabilize but that did not last long.

 

On 21 August, the junta warned that holding foreign currency illegally would be considered a crime since it is a violation of the existing foreign currency law.

 

According to the law, people residing in Myanmar can hold USD $ 10,000 or other currencies with equivalent amount for six months since they received that money. If they don't use that money within six month, they must exchange it to a licensed company based on existing market rate. They could also deposit it in the bank.

 

 

Prohibition of 20000 MMKs banknote

 

Since the 20000 kyats banknote were being printed and distributed at the beginning of August, on 24 August the National Unity Government (NUG) warned private banks and currency services not to use them. Those who use the 20000 will be sanctioned in accordance with the counter terrorism law. The NUG interim central bank claimed the new banknote printed by the junta is illegal.

 

Thus, holding, trading and transferring 20000 kyats banknote is considered a violation of Chapter 12 of the Counter terrorism law.

 

The NUG notice was announced in a bid to stop and vanquish the support of money in crimes perpetrated by the junta. Anybody can go to the NUG counter terrorism central office if they found have reliable information about banks and currency services that are using the 20000 kyats banknote.

 

US sanctioned aviation fuel suppliers

 

On 23 August, the US imposed sanctions against aviation fuel suppliers for the military, including the individuals and companies.

 

Since the beginning of this year, the UK and US imposed sanctions against Asia Sun Company whose largest shareholder, U Zaw Min Htun and owner of Energy OTE.LTD, Daw Khin Phyu Win.

 

These two people supplied the jet fuel for the junta through Singapore-based companies. The lists also contained P.E.I Energy and PEIA, which are somehow related to Daw Khin Phyu Win.

 

The US spokesperson Matthew Miller said the extended sanctions could pressure the junta and help Myanmar people at the same time.

 

 

Singer Buy Har had to serve 20 years of imprisonment

 

The singer, Byu Har who criticized Min Aung Hlaing over severe power outage after the military takeover, was imposed 20 years of imprisonment by a military court on 23 August. He compared NLD government and military government relating to electricity and criticized junta on social media.

 

Byu Har was being detained since May for allegedly violating Section 505 (a) for undermining the stability of country. But in the court's verdict, he was convicted under section 124 (a) of the Penal Code for incitement to state defamation. He was remanded at the North Dagon police station and was later ordered transferred to Insein prison by a military court.

 

Three children were injured in bomb attack

 

Junta bombed the eastern part of Hpruso in Karenni State, injured three children, the Karenni National Defense force (KNDF) said on 24 August. The used drone from No. 14 military training centre to execute the bombing.

 

Due to the attack, children aged 8, 9 and 10-years-old were injured and one is in critical condition. The incident occurred in a populated residential area. Few days before that attack, the junta conducted air strikes in Ywar Thit and Hpruwo. KNDF said recent clashes intensified along the Demoso and Hpruso road since 02 August.

 

Junta detained a family at Ophthalmology clinic

 

Junta troops detained ophthalmologist U Mya Than at his clinic in Tet Nay Lin Ophthalmology Clinic located on 24th road, between 80th and 81st road in Aung Myay Thazan township after he was accused of supporting resistance forces.

 

Detained with U Mya Than were two of his family members. The troops also confiscated his property.

 

The two others detained with U Mya Than were identified as Daw Myint Myat Khaing, an associate professor who joined the civil disobedience movement (CDM) and Ko Yan Naung Htun.

 

The junta confiscated Tet Nay Lin Ophthalmology clinic and his unit at Asahi condominium on the evening of 23 August.

 

In the pro-military telegrams social media, the junta said that after checking the phones of Tet Nay Lin ophthalmology clinic, it found out that it has been sending money to the anti-junta people’s defence forces (PDFs).