Nay Pyi Taw December 1
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing separately met officers, other ranks and their families from Myitkyina Station of Northern Command and Myitkyina Airbase today.
Present at the meetings together with the Senior General were Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Ye Aung, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and Northern Command Commander Maj-Gen Teza Kyaw.
In his speech, the Senior General said the 2020 multi-party democracy general election was successfully held on 8 November. Tatmadaw members and their families unanimously cast their votes in accord with the prescribed rules, regulations and disciplines and the preparations made by the Tatmadaw for systematic voting. Thanks go to the Tatmadaw members and their families for casting their ballots until the success of the election. The Tatmadaw’s main duty is national defence and the perpetuation of national sovereignty. Section 1 of the 2008 constitution states “Myanmar is an independent sovereign nation” while Section 4 stipulates that “the sovereign power of the Union is derived from the citizens and is in force in the entire country”. Thus, the Tatmadaw has the duty to protect its citizens. Democratic system requires politically mature democratic practices as well as State stability, economic stability and social stability. The Tatmadaw is trying as much as it can for these issues to promote democracy as aspired by the people.
Since regaining independence to date, the Tatmadaw has been striving to protect the independence of the State and perpetuate natio-nal sovereignty. There have been different ideologies, views and attitudes towards these efforts in successive eras. Yet, the Tatmadaw has been sticking to the motto ‘The Tatmadaw will never betray the national cause’. To continue its loyalty to the State and the people, all Tatmadaw members and families must work together in unity.
As for the peace process also, the Tatmadaw has been trying to end armed conflict and achieve nation-wide peace. From 21 December 2018 to 31 December this year, nine ceasefire statements were issued. According to the 1947 Panglong Agreement and national and Tatmadaw leader General Aung San, the State has been built as the Union long before. “Chapter 1: Basic Principles of the Union” and “Chapter 8: Citizen, Fundamental Rights and Duties of the Citizens” in the constitution(2008) say the State has given equal pledges and guarantees to all the citizens. Regardless of race or religion, they have equal rights. It is necessary to do possible things only necessary for political purposes in carrying out peace processes, the Senior General said.
As the Tatmadaw is a major force for national defence, all Tatmadaw members must have the same view and the same voice and follow the same order. The Senior General said since he became the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, he has been fulfilling their physical and psychological needs. The Senior General added that the army, navy and air force could have been upgraded for their defence power. Food, clothing and shelter as well as other needs were also provided. Servicemen with various ranks were promoted in accord with the criteria. After having joined the military at 18, the servicemen aged 48 and above will be promoted as sergeants when their service is 30 years old. They will also enjoy more pensions and benefits. The Tatmadaw has ranks of sergeant, sergeant major, warrant officer-II and warrant officer-I. They are called ‘Sayar Gyi’ while warrant officer-II and warrant officer-I are called ‘Bo Lay’. Instructions were given to call so.
At present, the Senior General said that with regard to outbreak of COVID-19, there were 90,713 patients with positive result and 1,941 persons were dead in the country till 8 pm on 30 November. In the first wave of the pandemic, 887 persons were seen with positive result till 31 August but number of confirmed patients increased about 30,000 per month in the second wave of the disease during the three-month period from September to November. Hence, the people need to practise the lifestyle in accord with the prescribed disciplines not to cause infection rate of disease. Although vaccine and treatment drugs could be produced, some disputes are still happening due to lack of cent per cent guarantee. The Tatmadaw has issued the travel disciplines and other disciplines since early January to take preventive measures. Thus, just over one thousand of patients with positive result were found in the Tatmadaw till today. As obedience to the orders and military disciplines are backbone of the Tatmadaw, servicemen and families need to continuously abide by the disciplines.
Servicemen and families are not a separate organization. Actually, they were born of the people, so they have to be one with the people. They in individuals and in groups must correctly and conscientiously discharge the assigned duties so that the Tatmadaw must be reliable for the people and the State. In conclusion, the Senior General said that serving the interests of the State is grateful to the country. And, serving the interests of the people is also grateful to them. As these are noble tasks, all must continuously make more efforts for serving interests of the State and the people.
The Senior General presented foodstuffs, foods and personal goods produced by Tatmadaw factory for officers, other ranks and families of Myitkyina Station and Myitkyina Airbase to the command commander and the airbase commander.
