A military parade honouring the ceremony to hand over duties of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of the Myanmar Tatmadaw of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was held at Zeyathiri Beikman in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
Incumbent Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing and Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Zeya Kyaw Htin Sithu Ye Win Oo, who will assume the duties of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, led by two protocol officers, arrived at the venue where the handover ceremony will take place.
The Senior General and the General took the salute of the Guard of Honour. Meanwhile, the artillery unit of honour fired a 19-gun salute to the accompaniment of the military parade. The Senior General inspected the Guard of Honour.
On the occasion, the Senior General delivered a speech of honour. He said: As of today, it has been about 52 years since he first joined Tatmadaw in 1974 and served in various positions. Over the past 15 years, since 30 March 2011, when Senior General Than Shwe and the senior leaders of Tatmadaw entrusted him with the responsibilities of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, he has diligently carried out his duties to the best of his ability and intelligence. Following the vision set by successive Tatmadaw leaders, including General Ne Win, he worked to build a modern, capable, and patriotic Tatmadaw that is strong, disciplined, and highly proficient. In achieving this, he combined the guidance and counsel of former senior Tatmadaw leaders with the lessons learned from his own life experiences to execute his responsibilities in the best possible manner. Consequently, he was able to enhance Tatmadaw’s capabilities and elevate it to a level where it can stand on par with international armed forces.
Furthermore, numerous developments and reforms were implemented for the Army, Navy, Air Forces, and affiliated units. During the two consecutive terms of the democratic government, the Tatmadaw also cooperated in various sectors to support national development. While doing so, although Tatmadaw repeatedly sought, in accordance with its duties under the Constitution (2008), to address the widespread voting irregularities that occurred during the 2020 general election under the multiparty democratic system, those efforts were not resolved, and attempts were made to seize state power by force. Consequently, a state of emergency was declared in accordance with the Constitution, and Tatmadaw undertook responsibilities across multiple sectors of the state. This period represented an unprecedented political turning point. The country faced the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, internal unrest, external instigation, and some of the most challenging and critical times. Tatmadaw and the people worked together in unity and were able to overcome the difficulties successfully. At present, the 2025 multiparty democratic general election has been conducted freely, fairly, and honourably. Therefore, in the near future, the newly elected government, led by the President chosen by the Hluttaw, will be able to assume the responsibilities of the State.
Under the circumstances the country faced, General Ye Win Oo is especially commended for having actively and diligently carried out multiple responsibilities, including Joint Secretary of the State Administration Council, Joint Executive Chief of the National Defence and Security Council, Secretary of the State Security and Peace Commission, Chief of Military Affairs Security, and Commander-in-Chief (Army).
Therefore, the current duties of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services have today been formally handed over to General Ye Win Oo. The Senior General stated that he will continue to contribute to the best of his ability for the benefit of the nation, the people, and Tatmadaw, as well as for the national interest of the State. He also expressed special gratitude to all Tatmadaw leaders, colleagues, and associates he has worked with since first joining Tatmadaw, as well as those who collaborated with him after serving as Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
He urged that the new generation of Tatmadaw leaders have to diligently and cohesively carry out the responsibilities of Tatmadaw in unity under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Ye Win Oo and the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services. He affirmed that as long as the world exists, Myanmar must exist; and Tatmadaw must exist as long as Myanmar exists. He urged all to continue preserving the noble traditions of Tatmadaw and to ensure that it remains a force the State can rely on and the people can trust and depend upon.
Military Appointment-General Zeya Kyaw Htin Htein Win read out the appointment order, stating that Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Zeya Kyaw Htin Sithu Ye Win Oo had been appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief.
The Senior General handed over the sword of insignia and the flag of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to the General and decorated the insignia of command.
The General respectfully handed over the sword of insignia to the Senior General.
In his speech, the General who will assume the duties of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services said that during the 15 years in which the Senior General held the position of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, he systematically carried out the processes for building a modern Tatmadaw (Standard Army). The General also stated that he will continue to strive to develop Tatmadaw into a well-organized, conventional military force capable of disciplined operations, with both combat power and combat capability, in line with this vision.
Tatmadaw has, across successive generations, assumed our three main national causes as its patriotic responsibility. It will continue to safeguard these three national causes, which are vital to the national interest. Likewise, it will uphold the Constitution (2008) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, as ratified by the State, and fulfil its constitutional responsibilities “to protect the Constitution, preserve the non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty, and safeguard a genuine, disciplined multiparty democratic system.” Tatmadaw will continue to faithfully and diligently carry out these responsibilities. Together with the leadership of the government, he will execute his duties to support national development, advance the democratic path desired by the entire population, and fully cooperate in establishing internal peace across the country.
Following the motto “Study, Practise, Comply” established by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the General pledged that he will continue to develop Tatmadaw into a disciplined and capable force with both combat power and combat capability. He will adhere to the principle “Mother- Figure People, Father-Figure People”, working to ensure that the Tatmadaw and the people remain united as one. He will also carry out the best possible measures within Tatmadaw to maintain order and strengthen civil-military relations.
The General stated that he will earnestly follow and carry out the guidance set forth by successive national leaders, which urges “to preserve the noble legacy handed down, and to continue enhancing Tatmadaw and the prestige of the nation.” He emphasized that he will continue to uphold the fine traditions of the Tatmadaw and ensure that it remains a force trusted by the State and relied upon by the people.
He stated that throughout his tenure, he has diligently and wholeheartedly carried out the orders and responsibilities entrusted to him. The General expressed special gratitude to the senior Tatmadaw leaders who entrusted him with the position of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, and pledged that, with their trust and in a manner worthy of it, he will continue to serve to the best of his ability and intelligence for the benefit of both the nation and Tatmadaw.
The Senior General and the General took the salute of the Guard of Honour.
Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, and General Zeya Kyaw Htin Sithu Ye Win Oo and his wife Daw Nilar, cordially greeted senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives and guests.
The Senior General and his wife viewed commemorative gifts presented by offices and departments from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief.
When the vehicle carrying the Senior General and his wife left Zeyathiri Beikman, they were bade farewell by the Cavalry Unit of Honour with the Military Band.
The duty handover ceremony was also attended by Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Vice-Senior General Thiri Pyanchi Maha Thray Sithu Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Union ministers and their wives, and senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives. — MNA/TTA
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