(7 November 2024)
Esteemed ethnic national brethren from Kayin State,
I extend my greetings to all ethnic national brethren of Kayin State and the Union with my best wishes for all to be physical and mental well-being on the occasion of the 69th Anniversary of Kayin State Day, today.
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a sovereign nation which has been possessing own culture, literature and languages over the years. Historical evidences firmly show that all national brethren have been residing in all parts of the nation in unison.
Kayin ethnics have been living in Kayin State together with other ethnics in fraternity since yore. In 1885, our country lost its independence and fell under the colonial rule.
After losing the independence, all ethnic nationalities residing in various parts of the Union unitedly fought colonialists and fascists with patriotic spirit and anti-slavery activities and regained independence.
After that, regions and states were established, and it was initiated to set the areas where most of the Kayin ethnics reside were designated as the Kayin State.
According to the 1951 Constitutional Amendment Act No 62, Papun region of Thanlwin District was designated as the Kayin State. Moreover, Kya-in Seikkyi, Kawkareik, Hlaingbwe, Hpa-an and Thandaunggyi townships, totalling six townships, close to Thanlwin District were added into the Kayin State as the second phase in accord with the 1952 Kayin State Expansion Act No 14.
On 1 March 1960, Myawady town was set as a township and then it was added into the Kayin State as the seventh township.
The day when the Kayin State was designated on 7 November 1955 when the 1951 Constitutional Amendment Act was enacted was marked as the Kayin State Day. The yearly celebration of the significant day is held on a grand scale, and today’s occasion is the 69th time.
The Kayin State formed with seven townships in four districts was reconstituted with six districts with upgrading Kya-in Seikkyi and Thandaunggyi townships as districts in the time of current government with the aim of effectively initiating political, economic and social development activities.
Kayin ethnics are living in the Kayin State together with Shan, Pa-O, Bamar, Mon and others amicably and peacefully.
Kayin State blessed with favourable weather and natural resources such as rivers and creeks, waterfalls and streams, high mountain ranges and lush and green forests is located in the southeast of the country. In addition, the natural beauty of Mount Zwegabin is a great landmark of Kayin State.
Moreover, Kayin State possesses ancient cultural heritage such as stupas and temples, wonderfully natural caves and lovely traditional culture.
Kayin don dance which is an active dance of Kayin ethnics is the most significant together with sounds of the frog drum at Mount Zwegabin not only at home but abroad.
After the country had regained independence, the divide-and-rule administration of colonialists sparked armed conflicts in Kayin State due to misunderstanding among ethnic national brethren.
Consequently, Kayin State experienced a period without stability and peace. Later, a ceasefire agreement was signed for ensuring stability of the region with internal peace and peaceful results which are actual essence of the State.
As all emphasized the agreements mentioned in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement-NCA, ethnic armed organizations signed the NCA and are implementing the provisions of the NCA together.
As different political attitudes the State face today are being resolved through armed struggle line, fighting and terror acts, residents from relevant regions are experiencing various difficulties.
I would like to urge all stakeholders to follow the provisions of NCA by seeking the solutions through dialogues.
Currently, the government is striving to fully foster peace and stability and rule of law across the Union and pouring out utmost efforts for development amid difficulties. Moreover, the government is carrying out the tasks accord with the Roadmap including “Emphasis will be placed on ensuring peace and stability and the full rule of law across the whole Union, and on successfully conducting a free and fair multi-party democratic general election.”
Moreover, efforts are being made to forge durable peace for the entire nation, ensure peace and stability and rule of law, strengthen a genuine, disciplined multi-party democratic system and build the Union based on democracy and federalism in accord with the political objectives so as to hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election aligned with Myanmar. As such, I would like to deeply urge ethnic people from regions and states in order to ensure peace and stability of the country with overall development.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren from Kayin State,
The government is undertaking education, health, rule of law and development of road transport concerning with the economic sector for development of the State economy.
In the economic sector, internal and external trade are being initiated through maritime trade route as well as land borders including Kayin State.
Although trade secures development based on figures, illegal trade is being committed at border regions daily.
So, the State economy cannot occupy achievement as expected.
Due to unacceptable charges and costs along the route to the border trade, prices of commodities can rise. As such, as supervision is being conducted to ease restrictions in trade route, resident ethnic people have to cooperate with the government in its measures.
In addition, agriculture and livestock breeding tasks are being encouraged primarily to have achievement in manufacturing and businesses in the State economic promotion measures.
Efforts are being made to secure the target production in growing paddy. It is necessary to export rice compulsory in addition to local food security.
It is necessary to emphasize production process to develop micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
If these enterprises must be operated with technology to produce value-added products, it will contribute to development of the State economy. As MSMEs based on agriculture and livestock breeding farms are operated in all parts of Kayin State in addition to entire nation to improve socioeconomic life of ethnic people, other regional and state governments including Kayin State have to enhance the State economy.
Efforts to develop agriculture and livestock farming tasks can help greater operation of manufacturing and industries and then service sector.
Hence, it can contribute to increase of State’s GDP. As human resource plays a key role in systematically operating agriculture and livestock breeding farms, it is necessary to produce those with skills in agriculture and livestock measures.
Hence, the education sector is being encouraged to have comprehensive education in order to turn out educated human resources essential for the State.
In an effort to develop the educations sector, 70 percent of basic education schools have been reopened in entire nation, with attendance of 92 percent of students.
When the schools which were temporarily closed due to violent acts and natural disasters are reopened, extra schooling times are set for students with teaching to have actual school education.
As the country is being shaped to become a Union based on democracy and federalism, people must have knowledge, techniques and correct ideology.
Hence, entire people are urged to take part in the process of teaching all school-age children and nurturing youths to have five strengths and capabilities.
With regard to the health sector, health staff, departmental personnel and ethnic people overcome difficulties and crises based on COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters through collaborative efforts.
The government is striving for ensuring peace and stability of the State and development, while managing to enable individuals in good health condition,
have knowledge and jobs for earning incomes and reduce poverty in order to improve basic socioeconomic life of citizens. Only when ethnic individuals have socioeconomic life will the country develop.
So, I would like to urge all to implement visions in relevant sectors and regions in order to enhance socioeconomic life of individuals.
I deeply urge all ethnic people to join hands with the government in combatting instigations and terror acts of terrorist groups which are opposing the government without wishing to restore peace and stability of the State.
The government firmly believes that it can overcome any crises and challenges which can fall on the State and national through patriotic spirit based on genuine Union spirit.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren from Kayin State, Moreover, all ethnic national brethren residing in Kayin State have to strive for emergence of the Kayin State with more peace and prosperity.
The strength of the nation lives within, and the strength of Kayin State is the collaborative efforts of national brethren residing in the state. At present, I would like to deeply urge all ethnic national brethren to make collective efforts for overcoming difficulties and challenges they face in order to strengthen a disciplined, multi-party democratic system and build a Union based on democracy and federalism the entire national people aspire to.
I send this message with the best wishes that may all ethnic people residing in Kayin State enjoy fruits of peace, prosperity and development of the region from the occasion of the 69th Anniversary of Kayin State Day to forthcoming years, and may they all have capabilities to unite the Kayin State through the unity and harmony within the peaceful, prosperous and developed Union.
Senior General Thadoe Maha
Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri
Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing
Prime Minister
Chairman, State Administration Council
