SENIOR General Min Aung Hlaing expressed his belief that the Hluttaw should be more organized and systematic than it is now concerning politics related to the Hluttaw.
A ceremony to hold an honorary meeting of the State Administration Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar took place at Zeyathiri Beikman in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, with an address by SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Senior General noted that the relevant government bodies were repeatedly informed and notified to investigate and take action against those responsible for such voter list irregularities. However, no resolution was made. Instead, they made attempts to convene the Hluttaw to unlawfully seize State power. Therefore, under the 2008 Constitution, Tatmadaw had to declare a state of emergency and assume the responsibilities of the State.
Regarding politics, based on past Hluttaw experiences, the Senior General expressed his belief that the Hluttaw should be more organized and systematic than it is now. Since the Hluttaw is the place where laws are made, its members fundamentally need to be well-educated and possess strong critical thinking skills. Therefore, amendments to the laws have been published.
The upcoming election will be held this December, and efforts will be made to enable all eligible voters to cast their ballots. For those who face difficulties in voting for various reasons, advance voting has also been legally authorized.
For the sake of the country, it is the responsibility of officials at all levels — whether through encouragement or personal effort — to unite, assist, and work together to ensure that all eligible voters genuinely exercise their right to vote. Voting or not voting is the duty of the electorate, and it is the government’s responsibility to facilitate their ability to vote.
To successfully hold a free and fair multiparty general election, all eligible voters must be able to cast their votes. Just as in the 2020 election, efforts must be made to prevent electoral fraud and to protect against those who wish to disrupt or sabotage the election. Only through the united support, cooperation, and diligent efforts of the entire population can the election be successfully conducted, resulting in the free and fair multiparty general election all hope for.
At present, he continued that it has been four and a half years since we assumed the responsibilities of the State. During this period, members of the government have collectively strived to overcome all the hardships and challenges the nation has faced. In this regard, he said that he would like to express his sincere gratitude and recognition to all colleagues and partners for their cooperation and efforts.
Regarding political matters, the Senior General affirmed that the government is treading the path of multiparty democracy as chosen by the people. Tatmadaw is a part of the State, and its members are part of the people. Since the people expressed their desire in 1988 to follow the path of multiparty democracy, Tatmadaw has laid the foundation for that path to be taken.
For a country to stand strong, the economy plays a crucial role. Only when the economy is strong will politics also become stable, leading to national development. In 2010, a multiparty democratic election was held, and Tatmadaw transferred the country onto the path of multiparty democracy. In 2011, during the first term of the democratic government led by President U Thein Sein, the government undertook necessary reforms to ensure the practice of democracy took root. The Tatmadaw also cooperated harmoniously with the incoming government.
Regarding peace and stability, starting from 2012, efforts were made to engage in peace talks and invite ethnic armed organizations to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). To achieve genuine peace, the government and Tatmadaw worked hand in hand. Myanmar is a union where ethnic national brethren live together in unity. Therefore, they all worked towards building a Federal Democratic Union. President U Thein Sein made efforts to ensure national peace and stability, which resulted in the successful signing of the NCA on 15 October 2015.
During the 2015-2016 period, the country received substantial foreign assistance, and the national economy was strong. However, in the following years, due to weak management, reliance solely on foreign support to keep the economy running without promoting the domestic economy, lack of domestic production, and acting under the influence of foreign advisors whose recommendations did not align with the country’s actual situation, the national economy declined.
Regarding the economy, in the 2011-2012 period, the country had a trade surplus of over US$100 million. However, from the latter part of 2012 onwards, only trade deficits were recorded. This was due to the lack of domestic production and the absence of exportable goods, resulting in the need to cover trade deficits. Instead of supporting domestic production, reliance was placed on foreign assistance and funds received from nontrade sources.
The current government boldly and decisively implemented the KG+9 education policy to ensure that all school-age children receive an education without dropping out. Future governments must continue to strive toward this goal. In addition to academic learning, it is also essential to instil discipline, patriotism, national pride, and a spirit of preserving cultural and ancestral values.
Intending to increase the number of educated youth for the future, the government consulted with the Union Minister of Education and the Union Minister of Science and Technology to establish Polytechnic universities. As a result, eight Polytechnic universities have now been opened, and more will continue to be established.
In building a democratic nation, it is essential to know legal and economic matters. Therefore, efforts were made to ensure that all universities are able to offer instruction in economics and law through BA (Law) and BA (Eco) degree programmes.
Regarding agriculture and livestock, 86 basic education high schools specializing in industrial agriculture and livestock breeding have been established to allow students who have completed middle school to attend. Efforts will continue to open such schools in every district. In addition to these agricultural and livestock schools, steps will also be taken to expand educational opportunities from the college level up to the university level.
The actions taken by armed terrorists to prevent education in schools, to block the opening of hospitals and clinics, and to hinder economic activities are only causing harm to the health, education, and economy of the local people, effectively destroying their lives. These armed terrorists, by disrupting and damaging education and healthcare, are recklessly destroying the future lives of the people.
The total population of the country is over 54 million, with 70 per cent of them living in rural areas. Since the rural population primarily engages in agriculture and livestock activities, improving their socioeconomic conditions would lead to national economic growth and also help reduce poverty.
In 2014, according to the World Bank’s calculations, Myanmar’s poverty rate was 21.6 per cent, but it was announced that by 2024 it had risen to 49 per cent. Successive governments have also made efforts to reduce the country’s poverty. Therefore, practical work involves promoting rural economic development, which our government has actively supported. The new government is expected to continue to encourage and support agriculture and livestock activities.
In agriculture, river water diversion projects were implemented to secure the water supply. The electricity required for these river water diversion projects the government generated using solar systems. If double-cropping can be done on 6.39 million acres of arable land along the Ayeyawady River and its tributaries, the country will be able to firmly establish itself as a prosperous nation. Therefore, it is essential to truly put in the work.
With regard to serving over four years of duties of the State Administration Council, the Senior General unveiled: “This is our current era. Over the past four and a half years, despite facing numerous difficulties in all sectors, we have collectively worked together and overcome them to reach this current situation. I want to sincerely thank all the partners who have participated and cooperated in this effort. Looking ahead, I encourage everyone to continue to unite and help one another achieve success in the journeys we still have to undertake. There is still a long way to go in the country’s future path. What we have done so far is just the beginning of the second chapter. We have already passed the first chapter. Now, we are starting the second chapter. If at the start of this second chapter we write it well, beautifully, and sincerely with our own hands and carry it out successfully, I believe we will overcome even more challenges, and the results of our efforts will be even more rewarding. I wish everyone success and progress in all endeavours, and I extend my heartfelt thanks once again.”
Also, present at the ceremony were SAC Vice-Chairman, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, the SAC Secretary, the Joint Secretary, SAC members, Union-level dignitaries, Union ministers, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and deputy ministers together with chief ministers of regions and states through video conferencing.
After the ceremony, the Senior General hosted a lunch for attendees while the Myawady entertainment troupe presented songs.
MNA/TTA
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar