(19 March 2025)
Esteemed ethnic national brethren in Mon State,
I extend my heartfelt wishes for good health and physical and mental well-being to all Mon ethnic brethren in Mon State and various regions, as well as to all ethnic citizens across the nation on this auspicious occasion of the 51st Anniversary of Mon State Day, which falls on 19 March 2025. May all your hopes and aspirations be fulfilled.
Ancient stone inscriptions in the Mon language and numerous literary sources indicate that the Mon people were among the earliest settlers in Myanmar and had the opportunity to embrace Buddhism. Furthermore, even before the enlightenment of the Buddha, the Thaton region had already been established as the Sudhammawady Kingdom. It upheld and preserved religion, literature, traditions, and cultural heritage, along with various fine arts, maintaining its prestige as a Ramanya state with dignity.
It is a state with hitorical and fine traditions which had turned out prominent majestic King Thithudhamma and King Manuha, scholar members of the Sangha namely Waw Sayadaw U Uttamarambha and U Silavanta (Min Shwe Ngo), the first western medical specialst Dr Saw Lu, eminent literati Theikpan Maung Wa, Dr Nai Pan Hla and Dr Min Tin Mon, brave heroes Razadariz, La Goon Eain and Thamein Bayan.
After taking assumption, the State Administration Council has reconstituted Mon State with 10 townships in four districts since 30 April 2022 and has been implementing peace and stability, economic and social sectors as well as overall development in the state.
Mon State is located in the strategic position, sharing border with Kayin State and Thailand in the east, Mottama Gulf in the west, Bago Region in the north, and Taninthayi Region in the south. Thanlwin, Gyaing, Attaran and Donthami rivers are streaming as a network in the state where waterway and land route meet.
Mon State, locatd on the coast of the sea, is important for trading, facilitated with a significant seaport. Moreover, the climate is moderate and pleasant, with breathtaking forests, mountains, rivers, and streams. The lush, fertile forests, natural resources, and abundant local fruits are thriving, making it a region with excellent land and water conditions.
In religion, the Mon State is renowned for its outstanding and prominent sacred sites, including the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, the Kyaikpawlaw Pagoda, the Kyaikthanlan Pagoda, the Kyaikmaraw Hsutaungpyae Pagoda, and the Kyaikkhami Pagoda, which are historical and powerful pagodas that symbolize the splendor and honour of Buddhism. According to historical records, due to the efforts and dedication of religious figures and monks, this region has become a place where authentic Theravada Buddhism propagated and flourished thanks to missionary persons and Shin Araham.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren,
Currently, our country is beginning to implement a democratic system based on universal principles such as justice, freedom, and equality, in line with the desires of the people. In establishing a democratic nation, it is essential for all citizens to maintain unity, discipline, respect and adhere to the rule of law, and possess a high level of knowledge and education.
Unity and cohesion strengthen the power of a nation, fostering development and generating national benefits. Looking at the contemporary, rapidly developing countries, it is clear that they have been built strongly with the power of unity and cohesion. According to the saying, “Strength of the nation lies within”, a nation must be built with its internal strength. However, in the current context, our country is struggling to protect itself with full strength, unable to focus on building, and instead, is trying to survive amidst internal and external challenges. As a result stability is weak, and progress and development remain distant.
The conflicts and armed terror attacks occurring today are rooted in differing political views, with some driven by a desire to stand apart and pursue self-interest and selfish gains. In various regions, the clashes between ethnic armed organizations and PDF terrorists have led to the destruction of national infrastructure and the suffering of local populations, causing widespread poverty and hardship. Behind these violent acts are various forms of support and incitement from both domestic and foreign sources. Every citizen must be aware of this, and it is crucial to take the lessons from the suffering and poverty resulting from the breakdown of unity and the ensuing chaos from these events.
I would like to remind those involved in the ongoing armed conflicts and violent activities, including ethnic armed organizations and relevant organizations to cease these activities in the best interest of the nation and its people as their actions are causing suffering to the people and endangering the country. I call on all citizens to unite in solidarity, uphold the spirit of the Union, and work together to protect and safeguard the country.
Esteemed national brethren in Mon State,
The State Administration Council has decided to hold a free and fair, prestigious, correct general election in order to flourish a genuine, disciplined multiparty democratic system the entire people aspire to.
The State Administration Council plans to continue the measures to hand over the State responsibilities to the elected government through the free and fair multiparty democratic general election in accord with the Five-Point Roadmap.
Hence, I would like to urge all ethnic people to participate in restoring peace and stability in the entire nation for holding the election.
The fundamental needs of every ethnic people are to live, work, and eat peacefully in accordance with the law, leading a life that is physically and mentally healthy, prosperous, and allows for personal development and progress. The government, on its part, is working to meet the essential needs of the people and to ensure that all national brethren can experience equality and enjoy long-term, stable, and sustainable development. This is being carried out with a focus on national unity and the peaceful development of the union.
The processes must be effectively and successfully implemented within a short period of time, requiring intellectuals and intelligentsia from various sectors, as well as ethnic people, to work closely and actively with the government for the benefit of the nation.
The agricultural and livestock-based industries are being operated to meet the goals of food security and sustainability. To improve the socioeconomic lives of all ethnic people, agricultural-based industries are being promoted, along with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that focus on natural resources specific to each region. As MSMEs are critical for the country’s economic growth, these will effectively contribute to regional economic development. With good land and water management, along with abundant natural resources in the Mon State, the expansion of agriculture and production industries can lead to increased income for local people, reduce poverty, and further improve socioeconomic life.
For the development and progress of the nation, as well as for the establishment of a peaceful, stable, and democratic new country, it is essential for all ethnic people to be fully equipped with knowledge and skills. At present, the younger generation, who are the future strength of the nation, is being nurtured and developed by enhancing their talents, skills, and abilities to promote comprehensive education and development. It is necessary to systematically train and cultivate the good character of the youth, instill a sense of patriotism for the country, encourage them to uphold the honour of the nation, and foster a sense of respect for their ethnic heritage and lineage.
Therefore, every citizen must succeed in completing at least KG+9 level education, and the goal is to have well-educated individuals with knowledge and skills.
To achieve this, efforts are focused on expanding and opening more schools, upgrading educational levels, enhancing the capabilities of teachers, and ensuring that the school’s infrastructure is good and meets necessary standards. These actions are being carried out with great emphasis. If we strive to develop a well-rounded and capable youth as the human resource for the country’s growth, this will undoubtedly lead to the emergence of a prosperous and developed state in all sectors.
In the future, to create a nation that is eternally stable, peaceful, developed, and prosperous, it is essential to foster a sense of unity among all the ethnic people, such that everyone shares a common mindset of being Myanmar. This requires the cultivation of the necessary spirit and knowledge. All the ethnic people living together in the Union, sharing the same land and water, should have a good mindset and work together in unity, guided by knowledge, skills, and a sense of justice. If this happens, the future of the great Union will undoubtedly continue smoothly and harmoniously.
In the process of building a great union based on democracy and the federal system, together with the Mon State and the Mon ethnic people, all ethnic national peoples are urged to work together with the spirit of the union and the patriotism, contributing to the fullest of their abilities according to their respective roles. With this in mind, I respectfully send this message to honour the 51st Anniversary of Mon State Day today.
Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing
Prime Minister
Chairman, State Administration Council
