Nay Pyi Taw February 9
A coordination meeting among the State Administration Council, Nay Pyi Taw Council, region/state administration councils and self-administered division or zone administration bodies was held at the office of the Chairman of the State Administration Council in Nay Pyi Taw this morning with an address delivered by Chairman of the Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Together with the Senior General at the meeting were Vice Chairman of the Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council Dr Maung Maung Naing, Chairman of Kachin State Administration Council U Khet Htein Nan, Chairman of Kayah State Administration Council U Khin Maung Oo (a) Bu Reh, Chairman of Kayin State Administration Council U Saw Myint Oo, Chairman of Chin State Administration Council U Tar-ance Smoine Ne Khwe, Chairman of Sagaing Region Administration Council U Maung Maung Lin, Chairman of Taninthayi Region Administration Council U Tin Aung, Chairman of Bago Region Administration Council U Myo Swe Win, Chairman of Magway Region Administration Council U Tint Lwin, Chairman of Mandalay Region Administration Council U Maung Ko, Chairman of Mon State Administration Council Dr Tin Htay, Chairman of Rakhine State Administration Council Dr Aung Kyaw Min, Chairman of Yangon Region Administration Council U Hla Soe, Chairman of Shan State Administration Council Dr Kyaw Tun, Chairman of Naga Self-Administered Zone Administration Body U Tun Tun Win, Chairman of Danu Self-Administered Zone Administration Body U Arkar Lin, Chairman of Pa-O Self-Administered Zone Administration Body U Khun Ye Htwe, Chairman of Palaung Self-Administered Zone Administration Body Tar Thein Zaw, Chairman of Kokang Self-Administered Zone Administration Body U Myint Swe, and Chairman of Wa Self-Adm-inistered Division Administration Body U Nyi Nup.
In his address, the Senior General said the Tatmadaw has restored the nations’ situation in accord with the law. The State Administration Council was set up at the time when the state of emergency was declared. Since then, the Council has been discharging the state duties through collective leadership in accord with democracy.
The Tatmadaw had tried to solve the issue of the incorrect voter lists in accord with democracy and law for a number of times. The margin of error is so high that it cannot be regarded as an ordinary mistake. The Tatmadaw tried hard to solve the issue though democracy means. As there was no way to solve the problem through negotiations, the situation has reached this level. All should abide by the 2008 Constitution. In fact, the Tatmadaw is serving the national duty and will continue its task in accord with the law.
In establishing the local admini-stration councils, experienced per-sons, who win local respect, who will serve the regional interests, who have administrative and leadership skills and who can be trusted for the assigned jobs have been assigned. The State will lay down policies, and the officials of the respective regions, states, districts and townships are the persons of the bodies for development of the areas and socioeconomy of the people. Immigration officers are included in the councils at different levels as members because of the errors in the census lists. They must strive to compile correct lists. The local councils are empowered to freely carry out the regional development undertakings.
The Senior General said he has adopted five-point work policies for future of the State. These policies must be implemented by State Administration Council, Region and State Administration Councils, district and township administrat-ion committees. Union ministries must provide assistance for the implementation. The Senior General stressed the need to promptly do everything which should be done.
The Tatmadaw, being an organization accepting the multi-party democracy way, made cooperation as much as possible, without intention to harming the people. Officials concerned need to soonest fulfil the requirements of the people and areas. They have been empowered to implement such plans. It is necessary not to be beyond the empowerment. The Senior General urged them to speed up the delayed tasks of the regions and the works which should be done.
Next, the chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council, chairmen of Region or State Administration Councils and chairmen of Self-Administered Division or Self-Administered Zone Administration Committees reported on formation of respective district and township bodies, health care service for the people, arriving back of people from IDP camps to native areas, clearing of mines, official permit for local odd-job workers to do jade mining, holding of gems emporiums, reopening of border trade gates such as Kanpaiktee and Lwejel, increasing of police members, issuance of citizenship scrutiny cards, adding of legal advisers and law officers to the region and state administration councils, assignment of ward/village administrators as soon as possible, permit to soonest complete construction of Monywa General Hospital, situation of administration and rule of law, and enactment of some laws necessary for State security and region-wise issues to be done.
In response to the reports, the Senior General said that arrangements will be made for returning of the people from IDP camps to their native areas and for clearing mines. It is necessary to rapidly repatriate Myanmar citizens abroad to home under the shelter of Myanmar. Orders and directives are valid for reopening of border trade gates. If necessary, coordination will be made among Union level organizations to addr-ess such issue. The Senior General stressed the need to narrow gaps of development between regions and states as well as rural and urban areas. Efforts will be made to improve people’s socio-economy as it is low now. Civil servants must not get involved in politics. They cannot do politics while enjoying salaries and privileges provided by the State. In more democratically mature countries also, civil servants do not get involved in politics according to democratic culture. Although they have the rights to vote for the party they like, they cannot do politics while shouldering their duties. Those who threatened the civil servants in various ways regarding the assumption of their duties will be exposed for taking action.
The Senior General stressed the need to create job opportunities for income of the people. They need to have skills and knowledge to be able to do basic work. To acquire skills and knowledge, they must learn school education, so education must be encouraged. Ethnic areas require breaking language barrier to pursue education. The education of students has been delayed since their schools were closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Concerted efforts must be therefore made to reopen basic education schools in line with the COVID-19 rules and guidelines. To turn out skilled human resources, it is necessary to open more schools in respective fields. Education must be encouraged so all citizens can cultivate the sense of loving their country. Efforts are necessary to produce quality agricultural and livestock products which are major items for regional development in various regions and states. Measures must be taken to ensure smooth commodity flow in accord with the rules and disciplines. Every region and state must try to create job opportunities. Cooperation is also necessary to make sure that the country’s currency value does not fall more than the current level and that it improves. Council chairmen of the regions, states and self-administered zones need to work hard with goodwill attitude for their regional development. Preparations are being made to reopen the pagodas, stupas and religious buildings in accord with the COVID-19 rules and disciplines, the Senior General said.
The Senior General then spoke of the need for respective regions and states to get correct household lists and citizenship scrutiny cards in accord with the law for the availability of correct voter lists for the election. For the repatriation of displaced people in Bangladesh, measures will be taken in accord with the bilateral agreements and the 1982 Citizenship Law. Significant days including Union Day will be held as ever on a grand scale in respective regions and states. In holding those events, the COVID-19 guidelines must be followed, the Senior General said.