15 December 2024
Esteemed ethnic national brethren in Rakhine State,
First and foremost, I extend my greetings with heartfelt wishes, praying for the well-being and happiness of all Rakhine ethnic brethren in all parts of the nation and in Rakhine State, as well as all Union-born ethnic people across the nation, wishing them fulfillment in their aspirations and prosperity in both mind and body on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Rakhine State Day which falls on 15 December 2024, today.
Rakhine State Day is a special and significant day filled with unique attributes and pride for the indigenous Rakhine people. Under the 1974 Constitution, Rakhine State was also designated as one of the states in the Union.As 15 December when the national referendum was held to approve the 1974 constitution was designated as Rakhine State Day, it turns 50 years now as commemoration of the golden jubilee.
Rakhine State is blessed with culturalheritages and plentiful artistic works due to its prolong history of forefathers. As Rakhine State is a region where the Buddhism is flourishing,the state has abundant ancient stupas and temples as cultural heritages inaccord with the motto: Number of Buddhist monuments is equal to blossoming orchid flowers (defined as 6,354,755 pagodas in numerical signs).
According to the geographical conditions,Rakhine State is located in the western coast of the nation, on 14,200 squaremiles of area, sharing borders with neighbouring countries. So, it is astrategic area of the nation.It is a proud and beautiful state with lush forests, mountains, and rivers, as well as a long and scenic coastline, rich in natural and water resources, enabling the production of valuable goods.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren,
Now is a State ofEmergency when the State Administration Council is taking State responsibilities under the Constitution. Since its assumption, the State Administration Council has adopted the roadmaps and objectives and now has been implementing the five-point Roadmap and nine objectives.
As the State Administration Council is implementing the work processes in accord with the five-point Roadmap, the national population and household census has so far been enumerated. The enumeration of census is being undertaken in some areas that were left for various reasons. Now, arrangements are being made to successfully hold a multi-party democratic general election aligned with the last point of the five-point Roadmap.
The basic foundation to emerge the genuine, disciplined democratic system the people really aspire to is to rehold a free and fair prestigeious systematic general election. To do so, as it is necessary to restore peace and stability across the nation, all citizens and entire people have to join hands with the government in implementing the mission with the national spirit.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren,
The State Administration Council emphasizes implementation of two key political and national visions each while formulating the good conditions with the aim of shaping a peaceful, prosperous future for the State and all ethnic national people. As food, clothing and shelter are basic needs for everyone, two national visions were adopted to ensure prosperity of the State and food security. Now, the government fulfills needs to product agricultural produce suitable for the regions and accelerate successful farming of livestock breeding to benefit all citizens.
The government has allocated Ks-10 billion from the State economic promotion fund to operate agriculture, livestock,cooperative and industrial businesses in order to develop Rakhine State. At present, the allocated fund has been allotted to agricultural farmers,livestock farmers, cooperative societies and industries to implement their projects.
Making efforts to enhance agriculture and livestock sectors in Rakhine State can reflect socioeconoic life of the rural people who are the majority population in the state as well as the manufacturing sector of the country. It shows goodwill of the State for Rakhine State and national people from Rakhine region in addition to family spirit of national brethren, genuine patrotism and Union spirit.
The Government is implementing the KG+9 education plan for improvement of the society blessed with physical capacity and mental knowledge. I would like to urge all to emphasize increase of high percent of student number for all school-age children, completion of school education and raising the rate of student grades.
Better techniques and correct knowledge and attitude are crucial to come out well-versed qualified youths who would bereliable for the state and the country in the future. Hence, it is necessary to participate in the activities on development of libraries and raising the reading skills being implemented by the State for the people to accumulate techniques and knowledge in the entire nation.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren,
The State Administration Council has established the Rakhine State Peaceful, Stability and Development Central Committee, which is working on improving the socio-economic development of the state in the sectors such as agriculture, livestock, education, health, communication, and electricity. These efforts are carried out sector by sector. In May 2023, during the impact of the powerful cyclonic storm Mocha, the committee was able to immediately launch rehabilitation activities in Rakhine State the day after the cyclone struck. As a result, Rakhine State is making significant progress in recovery from natural disasters, working quickly to restore and improve conditions beyond their original state.
Rakhine State has historically faced numerous difficulties in terms of transportation and infrastructure. As a result, successive governments have placed significant emphasis on the development of Rakhine State up until the present time. Everybody knows that this focus has led to substantial changes and improvements.
However, at present, there is instability and unrest within the country, including in Rakhine State, and this creates an opportunity for certain powerful nations to exert influence over the country’s geopolitics landscape, which results in the creation and shaping of internal instability.
The actions of the MNDAA, TNLA, and AA terrorists, which began in October 2023, have further worsened the socio-economic conditions of the ethnic people. Due to the sabotage acts of these armed terrorist groups, many innocent civilians have suffered in poverty and hardship. The continuous armed attacks by these terrorists, driven by political motives and misguided ideologies, have only resulted in further acts of violence. They have been observed to prioritize standing alone rather than collectively building the union on a multi-party democratic path. Young people have been trapped and manipulated through drugs, leading them to be involved in violent conflicts. It has become clear that their demands cannot be achieved through armed terrorism, but rather through political dialogue at the negotiation table. They now recognize that peaceful solutions are the only way to resolve conflicts, and it is urged that they abandon the path of armed struggle and instead follow the right course.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren,
All national race peoples living within Myanmar have long been united, sharing the land, water, and resources together in harmony, as brothers and sisters, for many generations. In the present day, however, certain internal traitors and powerful foreign nations have caused immense suffering to these ethnic peoples, pushing them into poverty and destroying the regions where they live, along with the development and resources that once sustained them. It is now crucial for everyone to consider the long-term benefits for the nation and their communities, rather than allowing their livelihoods and resources to be destroyed. If we are in disunity, the strength of the nation will diminish, and we risk becoming a people who are merely subjects, following others’ will as history leaves us behind. Therefore, it is important to heed this warning and work together for the greater good of the nation.
Only by following the path of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) for the Union’s peace can we build the peaceful and prosperous nation we all aspire to. In advancing the peace of our country, it is crucial to ensure there is no foreign interference or internal division. All ethnic groups must unite in the spirit of the Union and seek solutions through political dialogue and negotiation. The government also invites discussions and continues to keep the door to peace open. As the saying goes, “Strength of the nation lies within,” and we urge all ethnic peoples to unite and work together for the national interest with coordinated efforts.
In Rakhine State, the Rakhine, Kaman, Khami, Dainet, Maramagyi, Mro, Thet, and other indigenous ethnic groups live together alongside the Myanmar and Chin ethnic groups. The peace, stability, and development of the state rely on the unity of all the indigenous peoples living together and their commitment to the spirit of the Union. The efforts for peace and regional development by the ethnic national brethren residing in Rakhine State contribute to the stability, peace, and progress within the state, and serve as a source of strength for the nation-building process.
In conclusion, in order to establish a strong multi-party democratic system and successfully implement necessary reforms in our country, the critical factors for achieving security, peace and stability, which are essential for smooth and rapid progress, include the full participation of the people in ensuring national security and peace. Moreover, the ethnic people of Rakhine State are urged to uphold the Union spirit and national spirit to serve the interests of people from Rakhine State, the state and the union. Wishing for lasting peace, happiness, and prosperity, we pay tribute to the the Golden Jubilee of Rakhine State, and respectfully submit this letter.
Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu
Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma
Min Aung Hlaing
Prime Minister
Chairman, State Administration Council
