NAY PYI TAW September 10
Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with local people’s militia troops at Shweli Yadana Hall of the North-East Command Headquarters in Shan State (North) this morning.
Also present at the meeting were Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung, high-ranking senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Shan State Chief Minister, Union level officials, the commander of North-East Command and officials, Leader of Border Guard Force Supervisory Body Col Wai Hsan (Retd), Leader of Namkham Myoma People’s Militia U Aik Sam, Leader of Pansay People’s Militia U Kyaw Myint, Leader of Manpang People’s Militia U Sai Mon, Leader of Hseng Keow People’s Militia U Loi Moung, Leader of Monese People’s Militia U Sai Mon and Leader of Htinpakeng People’s Militia U Khin Maung Lwin.
First, the Senior General delivered a speech, saying that Shan State (North) is sharing border with neighbour China, managing border trade on export and import, so it is an important region for political and economic arenas. It is necessary to produce larger volume of quality domestic products to be exported to foreign countries. The Senior General expressed his goodwill for Shan State (North) to develop socio-economic life, and to do so, the area must be peaceful and stable. People from Shan State (North) are keen to do their works peacefully. So, it needs to be one with local people and make collaborative efforts for peace and stability and development based on genuine goodwill of peace.
In the post-independence era, Myanmar has been facing ethnic armed conflicts, and Shan State (North) was invaded by Kuomintang. When those Kuomintang troops retreated, there remained armed insurgencies.
Likewise, Communist Party of Burma (Ba Ka Pa) triggered the armed insurrection till today.
Local people’s militia troops are a force supporting the security measures taken for the State and they are serving duties conscientiously with patriotic spirit for ensuring peace and stability of the region.
Hence, the Senior General expressed his recognition over their efforts of serving the peace and stability of the region of their own accord.
In reviewing the armed conflicts, it was caused by political, ethnic and religious diverse perception.
With regard to different political perception, political doctrines have been diverse in successive eras since the post-independence era. After 1988, they have been easing tension of political doctrines.
It can be said that armed conflict based on ethnic affairs was a legacy of colonialists.
With regard to the ethnic affairs, the Constitution stipulates sharing administration and judicial powers to regions and states.
So, it mentions that no discrimination can be seen in ethnic affairs. The Constitution (1947) stated provisions on religious affairs. Moreover, the Constitution (2008) also mentioned exact provisions on religious affairs.
Nobody should be diverse their perceptions on the religious ground, and they all have to join the democratic system and Hluttaw platform peacefully for demanding their desires and rights under the law.
In implementing the democratic and federal administration, it needs to exercise the federalism based on the region. In fact, the federalism can be categorized as ethnic-based federalism and region-based federalism.
The majority of global countries are exercising the region-based federalism. The region-based federal system is the most appropriate for Myanmar. Ethnic armed organizations demand ethnic affairs at the peace talks but regional affairs, adding that they should represent the organizations representing the region but a group of people. The Senior General reiterated that the Tatmadaw will firmly stand on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement-NCA in implementing the peace process. Local people’s military troops in Shan State (North) must urge all ethnic armed organizations to participate in the region wise peace and stability and peace process.
Today’s meeting aimed to discuss necessary measures to cooperate among the government, Tatmadaw and ethnic organization in restoring peace and stability of Shan State (North). The State Administration Council has been serving the State responsibilities for more than two years. The government set an aim to hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election. As the 2020 multi-party democratic general election prioritized a person, the unsuitable measures happened for the State. In the second term of democratic government, the administration and economic matters of the State were undertaken under the advice of foreign countries. Unnoticeably doing things under influence of foreign countries can be defined as losing the independence of the State. Although the country needs to harmonize with other countries in international relations, it should not accept influence.
Myanmar is exercising the independent, active and non-aligned foreign policy. Focusing on the global peace and the friendly relations with other countries, Myanmar is fostering the peaceful co-existence principles. It is necessary to be harmony with neighboring countries and everything must be done under the prescribed laws. It is necessary to recognize laws of other countries and follow existing laws of Myanmar and value them.
The townspeople and authorities alike in the region need to have a common attitude and work together to do the jobs they should for the regional peace and development. The requirements and demands for regional progress should be met in a democratic manner.
The destruction of the roads, bridges and buildings constructed by the State for regional development disrupts the emergence of human resources and impacts the region itself. The internal armed conflicts are harming the education and socio-economic development of the local people in the conflict areas. There are large development gaps between the regions with peace and stability and those without. With regional peace and stability, measures for the socio-economic improvement of the locals can be taken. This is why mobilization and cooperation with the local people are necessary for regional peace, stability and the rule of law.
So, all the respective regions are urged to cooperate in ending the armed conflict. With peace and stability, voter lists can be made to hold an election again.
Now, population data are being gathered and a national census will be taken in 2024. In accord with the SAC’s motto: “Keep moving forward to achieve our goal”, efforts are being made to build a better State and socio-economy.
Domestic manufacturing is being encouraged for national economic growth. It is necessary to produce industrial goods from the raw materials coming from the agricultural and livestock breeding businesses. The indigenous people should be prioritized in manufacturing regional industrial products.
The socio-economy of the region and its people will develop. We are providing assistance for the development of Shan State (North). LaShip Airport is being upgraded so jet aircraft can land. Meanwhile, the railroads and motor roads are being repaired and upgraded for smooth transportation.
In tapping natural resources, it is better to produce and sell value-added goods rather than raw materials. Shan State (North) grows a lot of coffee, tea, maize and sunflowers. Those products can be made into value-added ones. Livestock breeding activities should be systematically and successfully carried out.
Value-added products can be manufactured from them for export purposes. Plans will be made to establish an industrial and livestock zone in LaShip.
The people’s militia in Shan State (North) need to cooperate with the government, the Tatmadaw and the people in the efforts for regional peace and stability, the rule of law and socio-economic progress. We have to try our best in view of achieving the development of the region and the people for the sake of the country. The State and the Tatmadaw will provide necessary assistance.
Next, the leaders of the people’s militia reported on the displacement of some locals caused by the ethnic armed organizations’ destructive acts, assistance to be rendered by the State to establish factories and workshops and ensure smoothness in exporting local products, cooperation between the people’s militia and the Tatmadaw for regional peace and stability, the Tatmadaw’s assistance for regional development of ethnic Monewin Bama, continuous assistance for the success of agricultural and livestock breeding businesses. The Senior General attended to their needs.
After the meeting, the Senior General presented Maravijaya Buddha Image-replica stone statues as a Dharma gift and foodstuffs to the members of the people’s militia. He then cordially greeted them.
