Nay Pyi Taw June 1
Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech in meeting with officers and other ranks and their families from Mawlamyine Station of South-East Command this afternoon.
Also present at the meeting together with the Senior General were his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, council members Admiral Tin Aung San, General Maung Maung Kyaw and wife, Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives and Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Ko Ko Maung.
Speaking about the country’s political situation, the Senior General stressed the need for the officers, other ranks and their families to be familiar with it. He said the Tatmadaw is taking State responsibilities temporarily to ensure genuine and disciplined democracy and strong democracy following the circumstances that erupted in the country. Election plays a key role in democratic system and electoral fraud cannot be accepted in any country.
Under the election law of the country, those securing more votes will win. But, it is necessary to produce correct results while voters need to cast their votes in full percentage terms. The representatives they have elected are the ones who have to choose State leaders on behalf of the voters. Therefore, they need to be real representatives for the people. The Senior General stressed the need to consider and review that those who won the election through vote rigging could not be real representatives for the people at all.
Although the Tatmadaw repeatedly talked about a solution to the problem of inaccurate voter lists, those responsible did not seek any answer and instead, they tried to come to power in a forcible way. As a consequence, the country has reached the situation of today. Peace prevailed earlier after the Tatmadaw’s assumption of State duties, but protests and riots ensued later at the instigation of those unwilling to see State peace and stability. Then, riotous protests rose to armed insurgencies such as burning and raiding administrative buildings, police stations, religious buildings and homes and property of people wishing to live in peace. Such terrorist acts must be thwarted to protect lives and property of the people.
Some civil servants being absent from work for no reason are participating in the CDM at the instigation of saboteurs. Health staff are responsible for giving medical treatment to any one regardless of gender and age. But, they are shirking their duty. Education staff also have the duty to provide basic education for school-age children. Civil servants need to distinguish between their emotions and sense of duty. They should consider for the sake of the country. As the country has a lot of things to do, it must continue to try as hard as possible. Preparations are being made to replace the civil servants avoiding their duties. Arrangements were made to open basic education schools today (1 June) and students have started going to school. When the emergency period of State duties is over, a free and fair election will be held and power will be transferred.
The Tatmadaw’s main duty is national defence. The Tatmadaw had to continue to control the country as it has played a leading role in national politics throughout successive eras. For those who have led a soldier life, they must serve State and military duties as good Tatmadawmen. As military discipline is the backbone of the Tatmadaw, they must be obedient and disciplined. Leadership role is important and there must be fair governance as well as chain of command and control system. Leaders must be able to lead their subordinates the way to correcting and overcoming difficulties. As they have been taught since their basic training courses to perform their duties in a careful and sensible way, they are urged to correctly apply the skills and knowledge they have taught. They must be proud of their national defence duties and work hard by looking towards their future and progress, the Senior General said.
After the meeting, the senior General presented foodstuffs through the commander and wife of the Senior General cash awards for the maternal and child welfare association to the commander’s wife.
Then, the Senior General and party cordially greeted the officers, other ranks and their families in attendance.
The Senior General, wife and party went to the local Tatmadaw hospital in Mawlamyine. The Senior General comforted and presented food to the officers, other ranks and families and local people receiving treatment. Since health staff were absent from their work at the state people’s hospital, the Tatmadaw hospital since February has acce-pted 4,265 civilian patients—540 pregnant women who delivered their babies naturally, 309 pregnant women who delivered their babies by Caesarian section, 485 patients for major surgeries and 496 patients for normal surgeries. There are still 52 civilians in hospital.