Overview

IN October, the management of and response to the third wave of COVID-19 — the COVID Delta variant —continued to show progress, with the authorities working in close cooperation with the public. Decisive victories were scored in this respect, with the pandemic finally becoming manageable.

Heightened public cooperation with government security forces led to the arrests of several terrorists who had been responsible for the violent killings of unarmed civilians and to the discovery and seizures of large amounts of firearms and ammunition.

Despite international pressure and challenges, progress continued on several fronts.

Consistent efforts for the people

On 1 October, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Haling met the members of Shan State government, officials of Self-Administered Zones, departmental personnel, local authorities and town elders to discuss and guide plans for the agricultural and livestock sector, the desilting of Inlay Lake, education and human resource development in the region, and the enhancement of electricity generation capacity.

On 2 October, the Prime Minister inspected agriculture and livestock programmes in the Shan Yoma livestock zone in Taunggyi. Together with concerned governmental officials, he also inspected the No 2 Steel Mill (Pinpet) under No 1 Heavy Industries Enterprise of the Ministry of Industry near Pinngo Village in Pinpet region, Taunggyi Township.

The Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services also visited the Eastern Command headquarters to meet with Tatmadaw officers, other ranks and families of Taunggyi Station, and highlighted the main duties and traditions of the Tatmadaw, related political issues, and the economy of the State. Military families received gifts of food.

During the visit, he also donated offerings to the Venerable Dr Bhaddhanta Dhammasami (Oxford Sayadaw) at the Shan State Buddhist University. He viewed religious literature and other items in the University Library and participated in a tree-planting ceremony in front of the Shan State Buddhist University.

Also on 2 October, the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services unveiled the plaque at the radiation treatment centre and the operation theatre for cancer at the military hospital in Aungban, southern Shan State. The centre will provide cancer treatment for Tatmadaw members and families as well as residents from Shan and Kayah states. He also met with the senior officer instructors and senior officer trainees of the Command and General Staff College in Kalaw and emphasized the importance of understanding the duties and responsibilities of a commander and the practices of good leaders.

On 3 November, the Prime Minister presided over a meeting with town elders, officials and representatives of business communities in Kalaw and Aungban townships. The meeting focused on topics of interest such as the transport sector, expansion of the tourism industry, promotion of health sector, plans to boost the region’s livestock and breeding industries and international market penetration. Plans were made to launch Kalaw-based rail transportation services using coal-fired locomotives.

The first Myanmar Coast Guard

On 6 October, the Myanmar Coast Guard was constituted in a ceremony at No (3) Naval Jetty in Yangon, and coast guard vessels were commissioned into service. The Myanmar Coast Guard aims at (a) enhancing maritime security and the rule of law within Myanmar’s economic zones bordering its coastline, (b) protecting national maritime interests, (c) conducting search and rescue operations in seas, (d) combating crimes on Myanmar’s seas, (e) exchanging information with other coast guards and enhancing diplomatic relations with other countries, and (f) supporting the Tatmadaw Navy forces in conflicts.

During the ceremony, the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services met with the officials and members of the Myanmar Coast Guard and highlighted the historical importance of establishing the Myanmar Coast Guard. He also set noted the opportunity for the Coast Guard to serve the national interests, gave Myanmar's geo-strategic position, and outlined the two main roles of the Coast Guard, notably a constabulary role and a benign role. The constabulary role will enforce the law on Myanmar’s seas while the benign role will include humanitarian aid, disaster relief, search and rescue, and so on.

On the same day, the Prime Minister inspected the operations and projects in the Thilawa Multi-purpose Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Zone, Yangon Region. During the inspection tour, he encouraged the business community to apply research findings, foster the emergence of sustainable and systematic livestock industries, and meet market demand.

The first underpass

On 7 October, the Prime Minister inaugurated the very first Underpass in the country. The population pressure and congested traffic in Yangon makes it imperative to construct double-decker roads/elevated highways and underpasses, as there comes a point when expansion of the road area becomes impossible. The underpass was constructed in line with the urban planning norms and allows for 6,000 people per hour. It is 427 feet in length with four exits, escalators and lifts, with provisions for 18 shops.

On the same day, the Prime Minister’s meeting with the Yangon Region government officials and departmental personnel focused on the city’s cleanliness, sanitation and waste disposal systems, COVID-19 preventive measures, tax payment, strengthening of cooperatives, and water supply and provision. He then visited a factory in Insein Township producing sand-concrete blocks, Aung San Stadium in Mingala Taungnyunt Township, Kyaikkasan Basketball Gymnasium in Tamway Township and the Sports and Physical Education Institute on Kyaikkasan Grounds, with a view to upgrading these facilities.

Encouraging projects and initiatives

Myanmar is having to import significant volumes of steel, an essential product for the country’s development projects, since the country cannot yet produce sufficient amounts of steel. On 8 October, the SAC Chairman committed to supporting local initiatives to address this problem while inspecting the No (3) Steel Mill at Ywama, Insein Township in Yangon Region.

On the same day, the SAC Chairman inspected the Hepatitis B Vaccine production facilities at the Ywathagyi Branch of the Pharmaceutical Factory in Insein Township. Discussions were held with officials on the use of enhanced technology in the production of pharmaceutical products, the ongoing research to produce COVID-19 vaccines, and future work plans.

Also on the same day, the SAC Chairman attended the Choice of Arms ceremony for the cadets of the eighth intake of graduate female cadet course at the Defence Services (Army) Officers Training School in Hmawby. He then inspected several agriculture and livestock breeding farms in the Danyingon area and inspected the breeding of broilers and dairy cows, and the cultivation of seasonal and perennial crops. He encouraged a shift towards a mechanized farming system that would maximize yields and minimize losses.

On 10 October, the SAC Chairman met again with the Yangon Region Government officials to give guidance on the region’s security, the rule of law, traffic regulations, cleanliness of the city area, the issuance of citizenship scrutiny cards (or national identity cards), measures to calculate and address the minimum consumption needs per capita for the Yangon Region population, land disputes, the establishment of sports stadiums, and electricity generation projects.

On 15 October, the SAC Chairman attended the 16/2021 meeting of the State Administration Council. The meeting focused on the peace process, economic growth, agriculture and livestock, import/export markets and renewable energy.

On 25 October, at the second meeting of the Union Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the SAC Chairman in his role as Prime Minister emphasized the plans for the development of education and human resources, manufacturing, rural development and the situation of currency and banking systems.

On 31 October, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inspected the Tatmadaw Heavy Industries facilities. During the inspection tour, he stressed the importance of having the capacity to manufacture adequate numbers of utility vehicles, such as oil bowsers, water tankers, garbage trucks, sprayers and fire trucks, not only for the Tatmadaw but also for municipal work and firefighting.

Culture, leisure and religious affairs

On 23 October, the grand auspicious ceremony of building Part 1 of the Yadana Throne for the Maravijaya Buddha Image took place at the pavilion of Buddha Park in Nay Pyi Taw. Present on the occasion were members of the Sangha, together with SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Council members, other officials and well-wishers.

On 29 October, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inspected the facilities for public relaxation, sports and physical exercise at the historic Resistance Park at the corner of U Wisara Road and Dhammazedi Road, Dagon Township, Yangon. He also visited the Myanmar Equestrian Federation and the sports zone in Dagon Myothit (North) Township. On the same date, he visited Myanma Thakaung war veterans’ housing (Laydauntkan) in Dagon Myothit (South) Township of Yangon Region.

On 31 October, the SAC Chairman inspected the renovation work for the Maha Pasana Cave of the Sixth Buddhist Synod on Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Hill, Yangon. During the visit, he encouraged officials to promote systematic research to help restoration work for historical and religious buildings. On the same day, he met with writers and artistes from the film, theatrical and musical industries. He commented on the recent pardon and releases of artistes who had been involved in the unrest, incitements and riots. He also called on the artistes to work together for the sake of the country. The SAC Chairman then contributed K 400 million to the fund for artistes in the various fields, together with 100 bags of rice, 500 viss of cooking oil and 300 viss of gram.

Commemoration of international and national events

On 5 October, a ceremony to celebrate 2021 World Teachers’ Day was convened and the Prime Minister sent a message highlighting the history of World Teachers' Day and the responsibilities of teachers during this era.

On 16 October, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sent a message to the national peoples of Myanmar to mark the occasion of World Food Day. The message explained the government’s endeavours in food self-sufficiency and nutrition and related the national efforts to the theme of 2021 World Food Day, which was “Our actions are our future — Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life”.

On 13 October, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, also the Chairman of the National Natural Disaster Management Committee, addressed the ceremony held to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2021. He noted that it was necessary to learn lessons from past events to protect against loss of life, injury and damage, mitigate and reduce dis- aster risks and develop work processes for raising public awareness of natural disasters and enhancing resilience to climate change. The disaster management mechanism in Myanmar should continue to with strong cooperation and collaboration among the Union, regions and state governments.

On 24 October, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing had a message delivered to mark the 76th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The message stated that Myanmar firmly believed in the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with the United Nations and other member countries in support of constructive efforts to build a healthy, wealthy and thriving world for all people.

On 12 October, the Central Committee on Organizing the 74th Anniversary of Independence Day 2022 held a coordination meeting. Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, in his capacity as Chairperson of the central committee, attended the meeting and provided guidance for the national Independence Day ceremony.

On 15 October, Chairman of National Unity and Peace-making Central Committee Senior General Min Aung Hlaing broadcast a video message to mark the 6th Anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). In his message, he said the government had clearly declared that it would continue the processes for achieving durable peace in line with the NCA and had always kept the door open for dialogue. He noted that only when Myanmar, which is rich in natural resources, achieves peace will it be stable and able to develop optimally. As now, the government and the Tatmadaw are both emphasizing the peace process, now was the best time to achieve this goal, not only for NCA signatories but also for nonNCA signatories.

On 18 October, the Prime Minister made a speech to the public on the occasion of the Thadingyut Festival. He announced that amnesty would be granted to those who deserved to be released from among those who had been convicted for their involvement in the riots. Action would be taken in accord with the law against those who commit attacks on the public and country. He also informed the public on Myanmar’s position as a member of ASEAN.

International Engagement

On 4 October, the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting, ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting and ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. During the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the Union Minister discussed the efforts of Myanmar to contribute to the advancement of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, the preparations for the 30th Anniversary of the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit, the implementation of the five-point consensus of the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting and the visit of Special Envoy to Myanmar.

On 12 October, the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs participated via video link in the Commemorative High-Level Meeting on the occasion of marking the 60th Anniversary of the First Conference of the NonAligned Movement (NAM), which was held on 11 and 12 October in Serbia. U Thurain Thant Zin, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Myanmar to Serbia, attended the meeting as the representative of the Government of Myanmar. In his statement, the Union Minister mentioned that Myanmar was proud to be a member country and that Myanmar hoped for mutual understanding and positive cooperation of the NAM member countries in its endeavour to bring about peace, democracy and development of the country.

Relevant Myanmar officials attended the 9th Meeting of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices, the Indo-ASEAN Business Summit & Expo, the Ministerial Meeting of the Least Developed Countries, the 15th Ministerial Meeting for the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, the ITU Digital World 2021, the Russian Energy Week International Forum, the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management and related meetings, the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters and the 35th Chairs' Meeting of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum held in October.

Other meetings attended by Myanmar in October include the 20th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting, the Future of Tourism World Summit organized by the World Tourism Organization, the 11th ASEAN Law Ministers' Meeting, the 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry and 21st ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry, the 16th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment and its related meeting.

TO BE CONTINUED

By Kanaung

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar