Banking Services in Sittwe Are Halted Due to Phone and Internet Service Disruptions

Due to the military junta's disruption of phone and internet lines, all services at private bank branches in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, have come to a halt.

"Apart from Myanmar Economic Bank, all other private bank branches have ceased operations. While there may be employees inside the banks, all doors are closed," reported a resident.

The services of Kanbawza Bank, Myanma Apex Bank, Ayeyarwady Bank, CB Bank, Myanma Apex Bank, and Yoma Bank in Sittwe Township have all come to a halt.

"You can't transfer money. Nowadays, money transfers rely on the internet and phones, so everything has come to a halt. Even Wave Money cannot be used. The duration of this closure is uncertain, and it's unclear whether it will be a short-term or prolonged disruption,” said an entrepreneur from Sittwe Township.

An individual in the money transfer business stated that withdrawing money from banks is currently not possible, and there are also difficulties in the money transfer service provided by Wave Money.

Apart from Mytel, both MPT, Ooredoo and Telenor phone lines have been severed in several townships within Rakhine State, including Sittwe.

Narinjara News tried to confirm the situation with officials from private banks but couldn't reach them due to the lack of phone lines.