Foreign Firms Maintain Joint Ventures with Military in Conflict-Ridden Arakan

Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News, 29 October 2024

In Arakan's troubled waters, overseas companies persist in collaborating with the military regime through joint ventures.

This ongoing partnership has significantly limited local fishermen's activities for several months, causing major hardships for the area's residents who depend on fishing for their livelihood.

"Large tankers come and go every few days. When they're here, we can't fish. Each time, it takes at least an hour or two. There's no fixed schedule for their movements, so we're struggling. For the next couple of months, they'll also be doing waterway work, which will make things even tougher for fishermen," explained a fishing industry worker from the Maday Island area.

From October 21 to December 31, the regime has banned local fishing, citing dredging work by the Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger, Reem Island, to help big oil tankers reach Maday Island's oil port.

"If they stop fishing for months, how will locals survive? If these people can't fish for even one day, how will they feed their families? Officials must take this seriously. Right now, they're working with foreign companies without thinking about the local people," he added.

To avoid delays during dredging, the regime has put out a notice banning fishing, setting up fishing gear, and the movement of all boats within 500 meters of the work area and 250 meters of the shelter area.

A man from Myo Chaung sub-township told Arakan News Agency that on October 23, regime troops on navy ships from the Taung Maw Gyi base took nets and fish from small boat fishermen near Kyaukphyu.

"When the navy saw the fishermen, they told them never to fish here again. Then they took their nets and the two visses (about 3kg) of fish they'd caught. The fishermen are risking their lives to catch fish on their own land. We don't know if we'll live or die under this regime," he said.

Locals say fishermen who rely on fishing to live are having a hard time making money because of the ban and arrests.

In Kyaukphyu, fishing is totally banned in the upper part of Maday Kyun, the start of the Thanzit River, and near the Dhanyawadi navy base in the lower part of Maday Island.

POSCO International Myanmar E&P, partnering with MOGE for oil exploration and drilling work, will inspect the Shwe Project's subsea system using MV.PTSC Thai BINH. This operation will close vessel passage from November 22 to December 31.

The company's joint venture with the military-linked MOGE continues despite ongoing conflicts in Arakan, further impacting local fishermen's livelihoods in the region.