24 local associations are facing closure after authorities refused to renew their registration, including the Free Funeral Service Society, the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Engineer Association and the Construction Association according to the applicant of one of these associations. The letter denying registration was dated April 2007.

In Myanmar, local and international nongovernment organizations or NGOs have to register with the home ministry and relevant government ministries to officially operate in the country.

No reason was stated on the letter and no hints from the concerned association.

Free Funeral Service Society, the only organization of its kind in the commercial capital, Yangon, was established in January 2001 to provide free burial services for the poor.

Many banned associations expressed confusion about having their registrations turned down, insisting they are not political groups. Myanmar Engineering Society, Construction Association (headed by Zaygabar U Khin Shwe) were popular and had strong membership.

"We were shocked because our association has been in existence for more than nine decades and has constantly worked for the development of Myanmar-Chinese economic cooperation," a Chinese businessman who refused to give his name for fear of government reprisals said on behalf of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce.