Nay Pyi Taw March 29
Chairman of the State Administra-tion Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing this afternoon met officers, other ranks and families of Kengtung Station at Pyi Nyein Aye Hall of the command headquarters.
Present at the meeting together with the Senior General were wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, member of the Council Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung and wife, senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Myo Min Tun, officers, other ranks and families of Kengtung Station.
In his speech, the Senior General said he would like to explain some points of political changes of the country to officers, other ranks and families. State of emergency was declared for the country according to the political condition on 1 February. International countries declare their states in the State of emergency at a time when they face natural disasters, pandemics and needs to take security measures for the countries under the law. Although efforts were made to solve the problems of vote rigging and errors of voter lists in the 2020 election under the democracy ways as much as possible, discussions could not be made to solve the problems. Moreover, as attempts were made to summon the third Hluttaw to form new government forcibly, the National Defence and Security Council held a meeting to declare the State of emergency for the country, and the Acting President assigned the Tatmadaw to control the situations.
The Senior General recounted that he arrived in Shan State (East) before the election to meet Tatmadaw members and families. At the meeting, the Senior General said he urged all to hold a free and fair election and cast votes for those who can serve the interests of their regions and the country; if not, they would have the representatives who would not hold the attitude not in conformity with the voters; and as such, all need to cast votes. The Tatmadaw initiated the democracy the entire people inspired in accord with the Constitution 2008. The Tatmadaw wishes to improve the country and will join hands with any governments elected to carry out development tasks.
During the preparation period before the 2020 election, some doubts about fairness over expression of political parties were found in their canvassing activities. Moreover, although any tasks cannot be undertaken beyond the prescribed laws and rules, various orders were issued with reason of COVID-19 in carrying out the tasks beyond the laws and rules.
At present, the newly-formed Union Election Commission is inspecting voting lists. In investigating top officials from the previous commission, their commission did not have freeness and followed the control and instructions of the president. Their clarifications have been mentioned in the press conferences. Now, the Union Election Commission releases findings of ground inspection for each township in detail on a daily basis. Amount of vote-rigging in the findings of inspection was larger than the previous list issued by the Tatmadaw.
Although the country was peace-ful and stable in the first week of the duty assumption of the Tatmadaw, riots and protests were staged due to incitement of NLD members and supporters as of the second week. At present, protests were transformed into anarchic mobs, breaking the laws, and then to the rebellion. It was found that they set fire to and made attempts to raid residences of innocent people, factories and industries in addition to State administration offices, police stations and law offices by holding .22 gun, percussion lock firearms, air-guns, home-made guns, home-made grenades, bottles of fire and fire-rings. They destroyed factories and industries built with local and foreign investments and attacked security forces with arms. Unavoidably, the orders of martial law was imposed to Hlinethaya, Shwepyitha, Dagon Myothit (South, North and Seikkan) and North Okkalapa townships in Yangon Region so as to more effectively perform security, rule of law and community peace and stability. Riots and protests happen in other countries where protesters peacefully stage protests in accord with the prescribed restrictions. Some protests not in conformity with the disciplines are cracked down on accord with the law. Security forces did not intentionally kill the people and did not order to do so. If rioters commit harming lives of the security forces and people wishing to peaceful live, the order is given to do so unavoidably.
Currently, the State Administra-tion Council is implementing the five future programmes and nine objectives. As a first priority, the voter lists are being assessed and findings are being announced. Upon completion, the final lists will be publicized. Efforts must be made to develop the State in all aspects such as political, economic and social fields. Closure of schools due to the COVID-19 outbreak means losses to students and their parents as well as to the country. Therefore, preparations are being made to reopen schools.
As the Tatmadaw endeavours in the interest of the country, all must work hard to make the Tatmadaw reliable for the country. They must always be ready to sever the public interest and protect the country. The attitude of Tatmadaw members and their families towards the Tatmadaw and the country is praiseworthy. All military units and battalions need to improve the capacity of individual soldiers and they must have the spirit that all they are doing is for the sake of the country. Military-owned and small-scale agricultural and livestock breeding farms must be successful and beneficial. Moreover, for the health and fitness of individuals, physical exercise and team-wise sports must be done. It is necessary to do reading for their knowledge and encourage their children to have the reading habit. The Buddhist culture and customs must also be learned. It is the duty of those serving at present to improve the Tatmadaw and such a fine legacy of duties must be handed down. The Tatmadaw will work with firm conviction to put the country on the right track to genuine democracy again.
After the meeting, the Senior General presented foodstuffs and consumer goods produced by Tat-madaw factories to the commander, and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla cash awards for the command 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 from respective stations.
In the morning, the Senior General and party heard the report by Commander Brig-Gen Myo Min Tun on the implementation of the four Tatmadaw building tasks by the units and battalions under the command, regional security and rule of law, welfare tasks for Tatmadaw families and COVID-19 prevention and control measures for Tatmadaw families and local people.
In response to the report, the Senior General stressed the need for effective measures for ensuring peace and stability, anti-drug smuggling and cooperation in information sharing along the borders with Thailand, Laos and China. He said after the attempt to acquire State power through unfair means in the 2020 election, the Tatmadaw had to assume State duty and it has already been known. The NLD committed fraudulent acts in over 10 million votes. Such an undemocratic act is unacceptable. That was why a State of emergency was declared. The NLD members and opponents came to do unacceptable acts in defiance of the Tatmadaw’s lawful measures. Echoing their opinion, the EAOs have also expressed their opposition. RCSS/SSA is the first to criticize the Tatmadaw’s duty to maintain the country. KNLA’s Brigade (5) with full strength attacked Tatmadaw-based Htimuhta camp on 27 March without following the notice of KNU Central Leading Committee and the KNLA chief of staff and respecting the NCA.
They are doing so in tune with the behind-the-scenes sponsoring countries and organizations. Those countries and organizations know that they will have a puppet government only if the NLD remains in power. It is necessary to constantly monitor the EAOs and share information timely with the countries concerned. To be able to shoulder security duties dutifully, the units and battalions from respective commands must always have military awareness and military sense. The Tatmadaw will continue to work towards the promotion of multi-party democracy as aspired by the people.