Some banks in Mrauk-U encounter disadvantages from Internet shutdown

29 Jun 2019

Win Nyunt | DMG

28 June, Sittwe

Banking services in Mrauk-U are encountering challenges because eight Arakan townships lack Internet access, according to an official of the Global Treasure Bank (GTB) in Mrauk-U city.

The bank could provide service for only 100 customers a day after the government suspended mobile data services in the township, the manager of the GTB told the DMG.

Branches of the Myanma Economic Bank, Kanbawza Bank and Global Treasure Bank are providing banking services in Mrauk-U, but local people used to prefer Kanbawza over Global Treasure Bank previously. But the office of Kanbawza was closed when its building was struck by a shower of bullets. So, people mainly rely on GTB now. 

“We have to run our services online. When we cannot access the Internet, we have to send our staff to Sittwe. We encounter delays and other setbacks when we have to conduct our services through the branch office in Sittwe. We are working till 6p.m for the convenience of our customers,” said U Oo Ba Thein, the manager of the GTB.

A local resident said other money transfer services such as Wave Money and True Money cannot be provided due to the lack of Internet access.

The Internet cut-off went into effect on 21 June in conflict-ridden areas: Paletwa Township in Chin State and Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Myebon and Ponnagyun Townships in Arakan State.

Since the ban, local people have faced setbacks in areas such economics, health care, education and security. Human rights activist groups and digital rights activists have called for an immediate lift of the Internet ban.