Nay Pyi Taw May 18
As the Tatmadaw is now shoulder-ing the duties of the State temporarily in accord with the law for strengthen-ing the democracy path chosen by the people, all Tatmadaw members must strive to be dutiful in carrying out the assigned tasks. Taking into account the current situation they all must serve the duties to protect the country from facing undesired events. They must also be loyal to the State and the Tatmadaw, said Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in meeting with officers, other ranks and families of Mandalay Station of Central Command this afternoon.
Also present at the meeting together with the Senior General were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, SAC members Admiral Tin Aung San and wife, Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ko Ko Oo.
In his speech, the Senior General said that the Tatmadaw had to launch a probe into the questionable voter’s lists in the 2020 multi-party general election. Despite the utmost efforts to solve the incorrect voter’s lists in accordance with the democratic principles, the problems could not be solved through negotiations and there were attempts to seize the State power forcefully through un-democratic means by convening the Third Hluttaw. As a result, the Tatmadaw has had to assume the State power transferred by the acting president in accordance with the provision of the 2008 Constitution. Even before the election, it had been emphasized that the election must be free and fair.
Since then, measures are being taken for national development by forming the State Administration Council and the Tatmadaw is exert-ing efforts to promote genuine, disciplined and sound democracy. Currently, the SAC has adopted five future tasks and the Union Election Commission has been launching a probe into voter’s lists and announc-ing its findings as the first priority while measures for the prevention and vaccination of COVID-19 are being taken. Urgent arrangements have been made to reopen schools which have been closed due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Although authorities concerned are taking measures to reopen schools as there are favorable conditions to do so because the infection rate has dro-pped, some unscrupulous persons are threatening teachers and stu-dents by committing arsons and blasting schools. As planning to reopen school is a measure to enable all school-aged students to continue their education, it can be seen that such attempts are undesirable and obstructive ones.
Education and healthcare staff are responsible for education and health of the public but some of them have failed to return to their worksites due to the incitement of the CDM movement. Public servants are required to distinguish between personal feelings and their respon-sibilities and to be free from party politics. It can be seen that personnel from the defence services medical services are replacing the civilian ones by performing their duties wherever necessary for the public. The life expectancy of the country is 67.4 years and it is also found that the death rate of children under the age of five is high. At a time when the country seriously needs healthcare staff, some of them have failed to return to work and they are breaching their professional ethics. It is necessary for the country to take measures to promote and reform the health and education sectors of the country.
It is necessary for defence ser-vices personnel to understand the ongoing political situations and to perform the responsibilities of the Tatmadaw dutifully in accordance with the law. It is important for them to give allegiance to themselves, the Tatmadaw and the State and work in the interest of the country. Protecting the public from undesir-able incidents means defending
the country. As it is necessary to maintain political tranquility and security stability to restore peace and development, the Tatmadaw has always been exerting efforts for lasting peace.
After the meeting, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing presented the command commander with items of food and Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, bonus cash for the Maternal and Children Welfare Association of the station through the wife of the commander.
Afterwards, the Senior General and party cordially met the officers and other ranks and fulfilled their needs.
Next, the Senior General and party visited Mya Nan San Kyaw Golden Palace, the ancient heritage area of Mandalay. Officials of Man-dalay branch of the Archaeology and National Museum Department conducted them round the Ancient Cannons Museum, the Tomb of King Mindon and the Ancient Coin Factory in the compound of the palace.
The Senior General gave nece-ssary instructions on systematic display of signboards of the Tomb of King Mindon, maintaining the Ancient Coin Factory in accord with its ancient origin, preserving its ancient works systematically, and carrying out systematic maintenance work for long-term durability of the palace.
Under the guidance by the Senior General, the Ancient Cannons Mu-seum in the compound of the palace was opened on August 28, 2020 with the aim of enabling the public to study all the ancient heritage cannons at one place. There are 30 ancient cannons and accessories on a systematic display inside the museum. It was built and maintained by the Tatmadaw at a cost of over Ks-350 million and transferred to the Department of Archaeology and National Museum on the open-ing day.
