Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister of Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivers address at meeting 14/2021 of State Administration Council
Nay Pyi Taw August 23
The State Administration Council meeting 14/2021 took place at the meeting hall of the Office of the State Administration Council in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister of Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The meeting was also attended by Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Council members General Mya Tun Oo, Admiral Tin Aung San, General Maung Maung Kyaw, Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun,U Thein Nyunt, Mahn Nyein Maung, U Khin Maung Swe, Daw Aye Nu Sein, Jeng Phang Naw Taung, U Moung Har, U Sai Lone Hsai, Saw Daniel, Dr Banya Aung Moe, U Shwe Kyeinand Lt-Gen Soe Htut, secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe and Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo.
In his address, the Senior General said the government is striving for having political progress by implementing five-point road map and nine objectives. As the first objective, the findings of the Union Election Commission related to the election has been released, and in the future, the summarized findings will be expressed to the people and the State. The Tatmadaw took the State responsibilities due to vote-rigging in the election.
People criticize various reasons for the result of election but they need to consider the practice of democracy. Although any person or any organization has rights to criticize something, they must have firm evidences and reasons.
The talks without evidences will not reflect the essence of democracy. The government will march forward in accord with the road-map.
The meeting took place to focus on development of Nay Pyi Taw as capital. It is because as Nay Pyi Taw is the capital of the country, efforts are being made to ensure betterment of the capital. As the Nay Pyi Taw where all ministries open their offices is the capital of the nation, development of Nay Pyi Taw must be symbolized for regions and states.
With regard to prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19, some casualties were given to the first and second waves of the disease, the infection rate of COVID-19 in the third wave has declined to some extent thanks to utmost efforts of the government and systematic restrictions adopted by the emergency meetings with examining the contact persons and managing the stay-at-home programme. The government set an aim to decline a half down of infection rate.
Efforts are being made to purchase COVID-19 vaccines from foreign countries. An aim was set to vaccinate 50 percent of the people in 2021. If possible, vaccination arena will be enlarged.
The past government arranged to purchase the vaccine from only India. At a time when India faced infection of the disease in the third wave, it was difficult to get more vaccines.
The current government strived to buy COVID-19 vaccines from Russia and China. At present, the vaccine is being given to the people above aged 18, and international medical experts approved that the people above 12 can receive the vaccine. Myanmar has about 36.9 million of the people above 18 years and some six million of above 12, totalling some 43 million. As Myanmar contacted the friend countries for having the COVID-19 vaccines, China, India, Cambodia and Thailand showing good friendship provided vaccines and accessories to Myanmar. Decline of infection rate was based on cooperation of the people. Individual disciplined acts, cooperation of organizations and internal unity contribute much to prevention of COVID-19. It is necessary to further strive for prevention of COVID-19 through cooperation of the people. As global countries are facing the pandemic, foreign aid is under limitation.
As such, Myanmar must rely on its strength.
Instructions have been given to region and state chief ministers to strive for resurgence of businesses triggered by COVID-19. Now is time of growing monsoon paddy, so good condition of monsoon paddy can be seen. Hence, the Senior General expressed his belief for cent percent yield of the paddy.
The Senior General stressed the need to grow not only paddy but also other crops for ensuring food sufficiency of the country and surplus foods can be exported. So, it is necessary to encourage cultivation tasks which directly support the economy in the monsoon. Taxes have been reduced and suspended for resurgence of businesses, but it is necessary to provide more aid to them. The global countries are suffering from decline of manufacturing and transport services. At present, as garment industries are being operated in Myanmar, workers get jobs. Necessary assistance will be given to these industries. It is necessary control quality of products.
Factories are being operated under the COVID-19 disciplines.
Hence, necessary assistance must be given to these factories. And, economic development project will be implemented.
With regard to banks, Myanmar primarily uses cash but it is weak in applying e-banking system. Some attacks on Myanmar are based on economic sector through banking system.
The banking system is life of a country. Some countries which became victims of 1997 financial crisis banned entry visa for George Soros.
Ethnic armed organizations sent letters of quest to the Senior General for prevention of COVID-19. Plans are underway to vaccinate all ethnic armed organizations and the people from their areas. So far, more than 6 million of vaccines have been given to the people.Vaccination will be continued when the vaccines arrive. Vaccines which arrived from abroad will be distributed to regions and states by the Tatmadaw and the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The Senior General said he has instructed them to allow transportation of the vaccines without any restrictions to reach the destinations as soon as possible.
With efforts to restore the peace, the government is walking on the path of multi-party democracy the people inspire.
The constitution (2008) was approved by 92.48 percent of eligible people as the majority vote. Some 80 percent of them are still alive. So, it is necessary to value their wishes. The Senior General said he accepted to amend some provisions depending on the situations.
For example, there were some requirements in respective regions for appointment of chief ministers in regions and states.
The right to recall law cannot be enacted. If decisions of Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw are different, it will be a problem. As such, it is necessary to consider the Proportional Representation-PR system with all participation. It is necessary to amend the measures about the elected representatives and election system. During its tenure, the government will amend them through coordinationwith all.
When it comes to ethnic armed organizations, there are said to be ethnic rights and democratic rights. Some EAOs emerged due to ethnic cause while some emerged due to democratic rights. The ethniccause came based on federalism and democracy. The essence of democracy is the desire of a majority of people and equality must be ensured. Myanmar has 136 national races including eight major national races.
So, the majority’s wish must be looked. Demands for democracy require respect for democratic practices. Democratic practices must exist in communities and regions. They must be followed by every citizen or every ethnic national. Some EAOs commit murders with no reason without respecting democratic practices. They need to follow the democratic practices adopted by the State.
In their regions, they need to follow the laws and disciplines and respect human values as they are democratic practices.
They must work, act and behave in line with the democratic norms.
We are working towards our objectives and future tasks.
For implementing long-term works, it is necessary to create good conditions and raise knowledge and awareness. For the national economic recovery, short-term works must be done. As the strength of a nation lies within, efforts must be exerted to revive the economy with public strength, the Senior General said.
Next, council members U Thein Nyunt, Mahn Nyein Maung, U Khin Maung Swe, Jeng Phang Naw Taung, Daw Aye Nu Sein, U Sai Lone Hsai, Dr Banya Aung Moe and U Shwe Kyein reported on taking of action against those providing cash and kind to the CRPH, NUG and their subordinate organizations and terrorists under the anti-terrorism law, rewarding of those giving information and release of information for public knowledge, exposing of marker players for US dollar and gold prices, effective prevention of the ethnic armed organizations from providing training and firearms to the terrorist organizations, review and consideration about implementing hydropower projects in the Thanlwin River, installation of AMI digital electric meters nationwide to reduce loss of voltage usage, awarding of civil servants performing their duties conscientiously with honorary medals, implementation of some tasks with current potential to yield benefits regarding the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone, reducing of public concern by taking effective measures for COVID-19 prevention and control and rule of law, peace and stability, reconstitution of village militias for security, providing of aid to the people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, exposition of assailants responsible for ongoing terrorist attacks by gathering effective
information, establishment of an oxygen plant in Namhsam, banning of illegal mining in the region to prevent environmental impact, and opening of an agricultural bank in Mabein.
Then, the Senior General said measures are being taken to take action against the CRPH, NUG and their supporting terrorist organizations in line with the law. The Anti-Corruption Commission is taking monitoring measures in relation to the activities illegally carried out by the previous government.As for the EAOs, measures must be taken with care in order not to harm national solidarity and peace. Regarding investment in hydropower projects, focus must be placed on renewable energy sources such as hydropower and solar power. Some hydropower projects require large sums of money. If they are
not marketable, they will not be economically viable. With the use of high technology to cause least environmental impact, energy should be tapped from natural gas and coal. Later, natural gas produced from the country will be used to operate local factories only. There are still electricity bills yet to be paid in Yangon and Mandalay regions. There are losses of electricity voltage usage and electricity theft. So, plans are underway to install high-tech AMI digital meters. Cooperative loans will be disbursed for the COVID-affected businesses and SMEs.
Responsible organizations are working together on COVID-19 prevention and control and ensuring rule of law and peace and stability. Training is being given for the development of human resources. An oxygen plant will be built in Namhsam. Power stations and oxygen plants will also be built in the regions with poor transport.
Oxygen machines are being installed at regional, district and township hospitals across the country. COVID-19 ICUs will be set up at every hospital.
Discussion is underway to build a COVID-19 vaccine factory in Yangon Region in cooperation with Russia. Officials concerned must take measures for the damage caused by natural disasters in some townships of Palaung Self Administered Zone. All regions and states will open institutes of livestock breeding. Measures must be taken in anticipation of socio-economic development of local people.
National interest must always be considered. In doing so, past history cannot be ignored and lessons must be learned. Laws cannot be passed overnight for the convenience of the present.
We must place national interest at the forefront. Efforts must be made for every citizen to be imbued with Union spirit.
Council members need to work with deep consideration in the national interest, said the SeniorGeneral.
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