Nay Pyi Taw March 28
Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met officers, other ranks and families of Tachilek Station this afternoon.
Present together with the Senior General were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, the Senior General’s wife, council member 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 from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Myo Min Tun, and officers, other ranks and families of Tachilek Station.
In his speech, the Senior General said the meeting was held during the visit to confer Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Title on the Sayadaw of the Naga Hnitkaung Monastery in Tachilek. The officers, other ranks and families must have the knowledge of the country’s political situation.
The Tatmadaw has temporarily assumed the duties of the State to install democracy system that is genuine, firm and well-ordered due to the national situation. The Tatmadaw government of the past studied the methods of practicing democracy in world countries and carried out the democratization process stage by stage before the start of democracy transition in the country. Then, it steered the country on the path to democracy in accord with the will of the people and held the multi-party general election in a democratic way in 2010.
The elected government of President U Thein Sein could carry out many political reforms and bring progress and changes in many sectors including political, economic, social and international relations fields.
But it also faced challenges. As it was in the initial period of the democratization process, there was weakness in the part of democracy knowledge. The countries of the world adopted their own way of democracy that meets the social system, culture, characteristics and customs. During the initial period, there were pressures of certain big countries to copy their democracy model. Hence, the then government had to strengthen the country’s democracy amidst the challenges.
The election law was amended in 2012 to enable the opposition NLD party to take part in elections.
It formed a new government after the 2015 election and took office for five years, during which there were various criticisms over the performance of the government that was unable to implement all-round development including social and economic ones as much as it should have been. Moreover, there were activities that were not in accordance with the law. Later, as there were voting irregularities in the 2020 election, the Tatmadaw had to repeatedly request it to address the issues properly. It was found that ballot papers were still being printed until 7 November although the election had been scheduled on 8 November. It was found that as various techniques including advance votes were used to cause voting irregularities, and there were more than 10 million suspect votes.
Although efforts were made as much as possible to address the issue of incorrect voting lists in accordance with democratic principles, negotiations failed and attempts were made to convene the third Hluttaw to form a new government forcefully. Therefore, the Tatmadaw had to declare the State of emergency politically in accordance with the provisions of the 2008 Constitution on 1 February 2021 and formed the State Administration Council. The Tatmadaw is taking measures for flourishing of genuine, disciplined and sound democracy.
The Tatmadaw has assumed the State’s responsibilities inevitably in accordance with the law due to unlawful acts and irregularities in the 2020 election and will hold free and fair elections to transfer State’s responsibilities after accomplishing the responsibilities under the State of emergency. As the Tatmadaw is a part of the State and defence services personnel are a part of the people, the Tatmadaw is taking continued sound measures to enable all citizens to lead lives peacefully and safely through thick and thin by joining hands together to take pride in our country and efforts are being made for the development of socio-economic lives of citizens.
It is necessary for families of the Tatmadaw to fulfil duties of an individual while also carrying out responsibilities of the State and to exert efforts for perpetuation and propagation of national, literature and religion. In conclusion, the Senior General urged all to perform duties with firm belief until goals have been achieved.
After the meeting, the Senior General presented foodstuffs to the Tachileik Station commander and Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, presented funds for maternal and child welfare to the wife of the station commander.
Then, the Senior General and party cordially greeted the attendees.
In the evening, the Senior General and party visited the Naungton Lake, the landmark of Kengtung, and inspected the upgrading of the road around the lake and the construction of concrete roads and drains being carried out with donations from families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), well-wishers and the local residents for the pleasantness of the lake.
Officials of Kengtung Township Development Affairs Committee and town elders reported the tasks being carried out to the Senior General.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General attended to the needs and viewed the lake by car.
