Research : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
On 1 August 2021, according to Channel News Asia and The Straits Times, Min Aung Hlaing is said to have extended Myanmar's state of emergency to August 2023 and is ready to speak to any ASEAN Special Envoy and welcome ASEAN cooperation. Are these his only statements? Are they correct? StayGate managed to find his full long-winded speech from the state-owned media Global New Light of Myanmar. As there are no paragraphs, for easy reference, news subject headings are added.
Speech below: Min Aung Hlaing
Esteemed
National Peoples,
It has been six months full today since the State Administration Council has
performed the responsibilities of the State. First and foremost, I’d like to
kindly wish all national peoples good health and be free soonest from the
Covid-19 pandemic.
The
government, entire ethnic brethren and the people, in unison, must
collaboratively confront the Covid-19 pandemic hands and hands. Nothing other
than individual life is of crucial significance: That’s my policy. Only when we
are healthy can we be able to work and get an education. None is more important
than the health of all national peoples.
Therefore,
we don’t impose any constraint on the processes of preventing, controlling and
providing treatment to the Coronavirus disease. We shall build up manpower,
material power and intellectual power as much as possible to safeguard against
Covid-19. We must conquer it. Collective solidarity amongst all national
peoples can overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. And, building a genuine
discipline-flourishing multiparty democratic system will be successful. If this
spirit of victory is uplifted with unity, trust, endeavours, diligence and
perseverance, there will be nothing we cannot do for our country and the
people.
That is
a prelude to my Speech.
I’m reporting on political, social and socio-economic development performances
undertaken by the State and Government to the public today.
The State Administration Council started to carry out all responsibilities of
the State handed over by the then Acting President on 1 February 2021 by
adhering to provisions of the Constitution (2008). All national peoples are
well aware that our country’s political system is based on a genuine
disciplined multiparty democratic system.
News (1)
Min
Aung Hlaing admits the importance of multiparty democracy
The
Tatmadaw government has primarily established a multiparty democracy people
have aspired since 1988. The people have chosen the multiparty democratic
system.
A free
and fair election is practically the “life-blood” of the multiparty democracy.
It is of much more vital importance for our country where a nascent democracy
is being restored. Furthermore, the aspiration of the people will be fulfilled
successfully only through a free and fair election in accord with the
Constitution and electoral system of our country.
A
nation-building task is based on three pillars: Executive, Legislature and the
Judiciary. Only when these three estates are emphatically aligned with one
another through the check and balance process would it be a democracy of the
people, for the people and by the people.
News (2)
Min Aung
Hlaing accuses NLD for subjecting other parties to “misappropriate abuses of
the executive power and the Covid-19 preventive restrictions”
The
electoral process of establishing the election commissions at different levels,
collecting the lists of voters, campaigning for the election candidates,
forming the electoral coordination committees, advance voting and casting votes
on the Election Day has been interfered with by the then NLD government and NLD
party inappropriately misusing their executive power in the previous election
held in November 2020. Other parties, rather not the NLD party, and their
candidates for Hluttaw representatives were subjected to the NLD party’s misappropriate
abuses of the executive power and the Covid-19 preventive restrictions as a
pretext for winning the election and thereby seizing the State power
forcefully.
News (3)
Min
Aung Hlaing’s State Administration Council to reconstitute the Union Election
Commission
After
holding the responsibilities of the State, the State Administration Council has
prioritized the very first point of the Five-Point Road Map: The Union Election
Commission will be reconstituted and its mandated tasks, including the scrutiny
of voter lists, shall be implemented under the law.
The
Union Election Commission conducted a detailed township-wise inspection on the
casting of votes and voter lists for 315 townships where the Multiparty General
Election was held on 8 November 2020. The on-the-ground inspection on the
casting of votes and ballot papers at particular polling stations in each
township was made in the presence of the members of the Union Election
Commission, relevant township ex-election sub-commissions, heads of the
township police force, township officials of the Department of Immigration and
Population, township administrators and representatives of the parties. An
interviewing inspection was also conducted with respective election
sub-commissions, polling station heads and voting booth staff.
News (4)
Myanmar
Junta concerned about vote-rigging involving 11,305,390 ballots
The
ballot-rigging was inspected at the number of 11,305,390 votes in these
undertakings. Tatmadaw officially expressed concern about vote-rigging and
evidence of an unfair and unfree election even before the election and after
the election as well. Findings were firmly presented with documents and tables.
In order to seek the solution through negotiation based on the principle of
political culture in a democracy, Tatmadaw put forward its opinions and
viewpoints and released official statements and announcements to the then
government, Hluttaws and relevant officials. However, it did not succeed.
Simple
errors can be officially resolved. They can prove it according to the law –
without terrorist acts. We are paving the way to democracy in accord with the
law. At last, they called for the convening of the Hluttaw and attempted to seize
the State power forcefully, without resolving the electoral frauds.
Consequently, Tatmadaw declared the State of Emergency and took the
responsibilities of the State under the Constitution.
Keeping
in line with the Constitution and electoral system of our country, people are
required to directly vote for the Hluttaw representatives. That’s a Legislative
pillar. Then, Hluttaw representatives have to choose the President, the Head of
State. The President shall appoint and assign the duties of the Cabinet. It’s
an Executive pillar. The President shall also appoint a Union Chief Justice and
Judges. It’s a Judicial pillar. That is why the multiparty democratic general
election is held to elect representatives for all three pillars of our nation.
News (5)
Min
Aung Hlaing claims NLD was revitalizing the one-party autocracy
It can
be obviously doubted how can the Hluttaw representatives elected out of
vote-rigging, their Executive pillar and the Judiciary represent the people and
how can they practise “check and balance”, a fundamental principle of
democracy. Titled with democracy, they are going to revitalize the one-party
autocracy. Thus, we are bringing about the restoration of a genuine
discipline-flourishing democratic system.
News (6)
Myanmar
Junta annulled the election results on 26 July 2021
We have
released our findings, on-the-ground inspections and evidence of voter lists of
each township, region and state in detail. It was finalized in July and we
announced that the election results were annulled on 26 July as they found that
the Multiparty General Election held on 8 November 2020 was not in conformity
with the Constitution, Union Election Commission Law, respective Hluttaw Laws
and Rules and it also was not a free and fair election. We carried out such
measures under the existing laws. We just follow the democratic norm like “No
Man above the Law”.
News (7)
Myanmar
Junta: All Burmese must cast future ballots with ID cards
After we
annulled the 2020 election results, we have to continue to work for a new free
and fair election in line with the provisions of the state of emergency. In
this regard, we will undertake the tasks according to Chapter 11 – provisions
on the State of Emergency of the 2008 Constitution. In the 2020 election, more
than 4,869,427 people cast votes without any Citizenship Scrutiny Card. We give
priority to those who must have the right to cast votes as they wish in the
election and we also prioritize the CSCs for everyone who must have ID cards.
News (8)
Accomplish
the provisions of the one-year state of emergency by August 2023, state of
emergency may end earlier once provisions are completed
According
to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, it can take up to 18
months if we carry out for 300 people per day. We are working as quickly as
possible. The Constitution states the limitation for the duration of the state
of emergency. According to Subsection (b) of Section 421, if one cannot
accomplish the duties within one year of the emergency period, it permits only
two extensions of the prescribed duration for a term of six months for each
extension. In the meantime, we have to do the things that should be done. Then,
we will take six months to prepare for the election according to the law. We
will accomplish the provisions of the state of emergency by August 2023.
News (9)
Tatmadaw
urges for free and fair multiparty elections with stress on “fair multiparty”
The
final point out of the Five-Point Road Map of the State Administration Council
is “to hold the free and fair multiparty democratic elections in line with the
2008 Constitution and hand over State duties to the winning party as per
democratic standards”.
We must
create conditions to hold a free and fair multiparty general election. We have
to make preparations. I pledge to hold the multiparty general election without
fail. We must strengthen the genuine and discipline-flourishing multiparty
democratic system people aspire.
The
basic requirements for a free and fair election are stability and the rule of
law. Stability means political stability, security stability and economic
stability. We have to continue to adhere to the existing laws and develop good
disciplinary practices.
News (10)
Min
Aung Hlaing acknowledges NLD’s achievements in bridging political differences
before the 2020 election
There are still political divergences and different opinions that have arisen
in our country along with internal armed conflicts since our independence in
1948. We negotiated to seek solutions and so we were able to hold the 2010 and
2015 elections successfully and our country has been on the pathway to democracy.
The way to negotiate and find a solution was lost due to the voting frauds of
the 2020 election.
We have worked for establishing a genuine and discipline-flourishing multiparty
democratic system. I guarantee the establishment of a union based on democracy
and federalism. The main thing is to complete all the electoral preparations
within a fixed timeframe. We have performed our tasks under the law.
News (11)
Min
Aung Hlaing accuses NLD and their supporters for “terrorism”, resolves to “bring
them back to a stable condition”
The NLD
extremists and their supporters chose the act of terrorism instead of doing or
solving it in line with the law. They incited to become anarchic and committed
armed insurrection. They think of making enemies with the ones who do not
support or have the same opinions. We have to try to bring them back to a
stable condition. We must apply our collective strengths to prevent destructive
elements, social bullying and rebellious CDM movement that would lead to total
annihilation from the State administrative mechanism to the daily life of the
people and their socio-economic status.
They
want instability and destroy the political, social and economic arenas. They
are attempting for the disintegration of the Tatmadaw and intentionally
destroying the culture, traditions and history from the very beginning of all
Myanmar national peoples.
We need
to pay special attention in order to know their violent acts very consciously.
News (12)
Min Aung
Hlaing urges ethnic nationals to work together to rebuild Myanmar
Most of
us are primarily Buddhists in our country. The Buddha devotees were
disheartened in their faith in Buddhism during the previous five years. Since
the time we took responsibilities, we have emphasized religious affairs under
the provisions of the Constitution. For this purpose, the strengths of the
patriotic people who love our nation and the people are of crucial
significance. We will build a nation that practises a genuine and discipline-flourishing
democracy, a modern developed country and a nation that will conform with the
aspirations of the Myanmar national peoples. I deeply urge entire ethnic
nationals to work together.
News (13)
Tatmadaw
has signed Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement to resolve ethnic armed conflicts
As a
result of our talks, we have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) to
resolve the ethnic armed conflicts. The agreement was signed based on the
demands of the ethnic armed groups. Tatmadaw stands firm as per the Agreement.
News (14)
Min
Aung Hlaing rejects NUG and rebel
groups as parties to work together to rebuild Myanmar
I’d like to say to build a union based on
democracy and federalism peacefully. I invite all ethnic armed organizations to
meet and discuss among others, except for the declared unlawful associations
and groups.
News (15)
Min Aung
Hlaing: Myanmar is ready to work on ASEAN cooperation, Tatmadaw’s findings of
the election will be presented to ASEAN Special Envoy
Here, I
want to talk about the relation with ASEAN. I joined the ASEAN Summit on 24
April, and the summit adopted five agreements. We implemented the things that
we should do. Of the three original nominees for the ASEAN special envoy, we
agreed to select the former Deputy Foreign Minister of Thailand, Mr Virasakdi
Futrakul. But for various reasons, the new proposals were released and we could
not keep moving onwards. I would like to say that Myanmar is ready to work on
ASEAN cooperation within the ASEAN framework, including the dialogue with the
ASEAN Special Envoy in Myanmar. Preparations are underway to present a briefing
on the findings of the election to the international delegations within the
next few days.
News (16)
Min
Aung Hlaing claims Myanmar was not hit by the first wave of COVID-19
Esteemed National Peoples,
Our country is facing the third wave of COVID-19 currently like other world
nations. We are making our utmost efforts in carrying out the prevention,
control and treatment activities in collaboration with the people. The
currently occurring COVID-19 pandemic is different from the first and second
waves. The number of infected people is increasing daily, and the percentage of
confirmed cases and deaths is also higher than before.
These
facts are being misrepresented in the news media and on social media, comparing
the situation with today’s third wave and the previous second wave. It needs to
consider the actual condition of infection as closely as possible from the
point of view of epidemiology.
The
virus was not initially reported seriously in Southeast Asia and Asian
countries but in European countries such as France, Spain and Italy, in the see
southern part and northern part of the Americas such as the US and Brazil.
However, due to the geographical distance, it can be supposed that Myanmar was
not hit by the first wave of COVID-19.
News (17)
Min
Aung Hlaing talks about the virus transmission power in the second and third
waves of COVID-19 in Myanmar
In the
second wave, as a developing country, it has to struggle to tackle the pandemic
to some extent. We can see that the variant of the second wave is not much
faster in the infection rate than the current COVID-19 strain.
In the
third wave, the infection rate is dramatically high in our neighbouring
countries and the regional countries are still facing the third wave of
COVID-19 seriously. The main point is the emergence of more infectious mutants.
The most common Delta Variant is now known to be 60 per cent faster in
transmission than the previous strains. The R0 (Reproduction number) of the
original COVID-19 virus is between 2.4 and 2.6. But the R0 of Alpha and Delta
is between 4 and 5 and between 5 and 8, respectively. (It means, if the R0 is
2, the transmission rate is from 1 person to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to 8, 8 to 16, twice
in every step). During the third wave, the Alpha, Beta and Delta recognized as
variants of concern by WHO are found in Myanmar. We can estimate how much
faster the infection rate will be than the variants of the second wave by
looking at the R0 of new variants of this third wave.
When the
R0 is 4, the transmission rate will be from 1 person to 4, 4 to 16, 16 to 64
and so on. If the R0 is 8, its rate will be from 1 person to 8, 8 to 64, 64 to
512. The widespread outbreak and rapid spread of the disease in the
neighbouring countries and regional countries are unlike the first and second
waves, and it is a big challenge for our country.
News (18)
Min Aung
Hlaing blames “NLD extremists” for causing the human resources problem in
Myanmar public hospitals
When the
infection rate is so high, the public hospitals that can provide proper medical
treatment to the people are facing the human resources problem. The NLD extremists,
who were involved in electoral frauds, and their supporters incited the health
workers to do so. Due to a considerable imbalance between the number of
patients and the number of health workers for the diagnosis and treatment
process, while the infection rate is on the rise, it becomes a major challenge
for the country amidst the third wave of COVID-19.
News (19)
Min
Aung Hlaing insists on criminalizing the participants in the Civil Disobedience
Movement
Despite
these challenges, I’d like to recognize and express thanks to dutiful health
staff, volunteers and well-wishers or donors for their fore-front performances
in response to the Covid pandemic. As I said earlier, Section 505 will be eased
unless CDMers are the leaders or instigators of the violent acts. Covid-19 does
not concern with politics. It matters most for the lives of the people and their
social affairs.
No
matter how there are many challenges, I’ll strive for the people to overcome
the third wave of COVID-19 amidst various difficulties and hindrances.
In the
third wave, it can be said that the experiences in the previous waves may be
advantages. We have known at least the infection way of the disease. We have
experienced prevention, control and treatment of the disease. Moreover, as
vaccination has been conducted at some percentage, the infection of the disease
can hinder to some degree. With regard to the natural disaster, the government
machinery does not control the processes without centralization and allow the
government departments at different levels in respective areas to freely do
their work process. Hence, it can be seen that response to the infection of
disease gains momentum.
News (20)
Myanmar
military aircraft distribute 12 million masks monthly, import restrictions of
oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen and medical equipment are eased
For
example, it needed to take a long time for the distribution of 5 million masks
to respective regions and states in the past. Now, Tatmadaw aircraft are used
in the transport of 12 million masks immediately. The amount of 12 million
masks will be distributed per month. The Ministry of Commerce eases
restrictions for the import of oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen, medicines
and medical equipment as well as tax, and such importation does not need FDA
recommendations and import licenses. For cutting off the infection chains, the
community restrictions are adopted, and consideration is conducted to resurge
the long term loss of the economic recovery of the State and the people
triggered by COVID-19.
News (21)
More
covid treatment centres in Myanmar to admit patients, people need to correctly
inform the authorities about their health situation
Faster
testing, faster finding and faster isolation are important for cutting off the
infection chains as well as for the patients. Preparations are being made to
admit the confirmed patients in time at suitable COVID-19 treatment centres
depending on their symptoms.
People
should not receive medical treatment of traditional therapies at home if they
face the suspicion of infection, and they need to receive a medical examination
at nearby local health units. Such units, if necessary, will transfer them to
suitable COVID-19 treatment centres. As such, the people need to correctly
inform the authorities about their health situation.
The
Tatmadaw has prepared to admit 39,000 patients at 1,278 patient treatment
centres while civilian units have made preparations to admit 71,500 patients at
1,453 centres. Arrangements will be made to extend community COVID positive
centres where necessary.
News (22)
In
Myanmar, continuous monitoring of actual needs of oxygen is essential
Oxygen
is essential for the treatment of patients in COVID-19. It is also important to
use oxygen only in the consultation of doctors. So, the government is striving
for fulfilling the needs in time. Oxygen production of oxygen plants across the
nation, the oxygen plants from military and civilian hospitals and private
oxygen plants are continuously monitored, and emphasis is being placed to
fulfil the actual needs of oxygen to hospitals/treatment centres.
News (23)
Purchases
and expansion work of installation of oxygen plants at hospitals, health
departments, factories, workplaces underway
Effective
management will be made for generating the limited volume of oxygen and
efficient use. Efforts are being made to produce large quantities and quality
liquid oxygen in a short time. Preparations are being made to soonest fulfil
the liquid oxygen in Yangon and Mandalay where a high infection rate of the
disease happens. Expansion work for the installation of oxygen plants at public
hospitals, health departments, Tatmadaw hospitals, State-owned factories and
workplaces are now underway. That is why the requirements of public hospitals
and health departments will be fulfilled in September, without purchasing
oxygen supplies from private factories.
News (24)
Min Aung
Hlaing: 1,825,642 people in Myanmar were vaccinated twice
People need to systematically receive the COVID-19 vaccination for the set
times to reduce the infection rate and spreading rate. Vaccination was given in
all regions and states from 27-1-2021 to 21-7-2021, a total of 1,825,642 people
(6.08% of the target population) were vaccinated two times.
News (25)
Min
Aung Hlaing: Three more million vaccines will arrive in Myanmar in August
Arrangements
are being made to faster give many COVID-19 vaccines to the people. The
government is negotiating to purchase the vaccines. Three million doses out of
four million units of vaccines purchased from the People’s Republic of China
arrived in the fourth week of July, and the vaccination process is being
conducted rapidly. Three more million vaccines will arrive in August.
Hence,
the plan is underway to systematically vaccinate the target groups on priority.
News (26)
Min
Aung Hlaing: Two million doses of Sputnik V will arrive in batches, Myanmar
will produce Sputnik V for the domestic market
Moreover,
two million doses purchased from Russia will arrive in Myanmar in batches.
Efforts are being made to take the remaining vaccines from India. In this
regard, I thank all countries and organizations that cooperate with us in the
prevention, control and treatment of the pandemic. I’d like to request the
friendly countries and organizations to continue cooperation with us. We
arrange the production of the vaccine at home. I expect 50 per cent coverage of
vaccines across the nation at the end of this year.
As
COVD-19 infects various parts of the world, every country tries hard to take
preventive measures and receive vaccines. So, I’d like to urge the people to
receive vaccines in respective townships with health awareness.
News (27)
Min
Aung Hlaing: Misinformation such as hospitals did not admit patients and the government banned further import of oxygen is false
Esteemed national peoples,
The weakness in emphasis and cooperation of the people in control, prevention
and treatment of the COVID-19 depends on the spreading of fake news and
misinformation via social networks.
Aimed at
raising the prices of health-protective equipment in the market and raising the
worries among the people, fake office letters are posted on the social
networks, and misinformation that hospitals did not admit patients; the
government banned further import of oxygen; the global authorities did not
recognize the newly-arrived vaccines, and such vaccination might cause danger
is spread on the social network pages.
News (28)
Min
Aung Hlaing claims the disobedient Burmese are bioterrorists
Mobilization
of the people not to abide by the prevention and control guidelines issued by
the Ministry of Health and Sports and restrictions for COVID-19, not to receive
vaccines and to cause various crowds among the people are being utterly
despicable committed instead of receiving vaccines, avoiding the crowds and
public places as much as possible, abiding by the social distancing, wearing
masks and face shields and often washing hands while the infection rate is high
again.
Such moves directly impose threats on the life and property of the people, and it means using COVID-19 as a tool of bioterrorism. Applying such ways for their political gain might be very guilty on the religious ground. As the instability of the State based on health problems is being agitated, control of destructionist acts on the social network is a great challenge.
Protests staged across the nation after 1 February were transformed into anarchic protests and then armed attacks.
Innocent people were killed by surprise. Why did they kill the people? Why did
they attack the people living in peace? We cannot accept it. Violent protests
were responded under the law in accord with the international community. Action
must be taken against those who used attacks of fetal weapons and mines.
At
present, the whole country is stable except for some terrorist attacks. Further
tasks will be undertaken for ensuring total peace and stability in the areas,
except for that of EAOs.
Various
gatherings and crowds across the nation after 1 February were designed to spark
the infection of variant COVID-19 species. To do so, various ways of agitations
were committed via social networks.
News (29)
Min Aung
Hlaing: COVID-19 may cause infections whenever breathing
The
globe has overcome various pandemics in the past. Although various pandemics
such as plague and smallpox diseases can be controlled in the advancement of
medical technologies at present, respiratory disease COVID-19 may cause
infections whenever breathing. If public cooperation lacks, it is sure to
difficultly control the disease.
News (30)
Min Aung
Hlaing claims the U.S. is facing inadequate accommodation to patients, ventilator
and air freshener shortages
It can
be seen that even developed and developing countries are yet to perform
control, prevention and treatment of the disease on the upper hand. Even in the
United States, hospitals cannot give adequate accommodation to patients, facing
shortages of ventilators and air fresheners. So, the patients are receiving
treatments at home. The problem of oxygen is a difficulty for the countries
facing the outbreak of disease. Myanmar’s neighbouring countries India and
Indonesia are facing severe problems.
News (31)
Myanmar
Junta has inserted prevention, control and treatment of covid into Myanmar’s
Five-Point Road Map
Today’s
the State Administration Council government has inserted the prevention,
control and treatment of COVID-19 into the Five-Point Road Map as much as
possible.
News (32)
Min
Aung Hlaing: Infection rate has declined on 29 July 2021
Work
procedures related to pandemic management and restrictions have been eased and necessary
amendments are being undertaken. To cut off the infection chains among the
people, long office holidays were set from 17 July to 1 August. In so doing,
cooperation of the entire people except some extremist destructionists was the
honourable strength of the people. The infection rate declined to 34.75 per
cent on 29 July, up from 40.82 per cent on 23 July. It is necessary to further
decline the infection rate.
News (33)
One
more week of official holidays to further decline the infection rate
An
announcement will be declared for one more week of official holidays for
effective cutting off the infection chains.
We will
stand with the people. We will protect the people at full capacity. I’d deeply
say that Myanmar is sure to conquer the pandemic through harmonious
cooperation. In order to curb the chains of infectious disease, one more week
of office holiday will be extended. In this regard, necessary measures will be
carried out to avoid impacting the manufacturing sector and economic
businesses. We will stand together with the people. We will safeguard the
people efficiently. I’d like to stress that we Myanmar national peoples must
overcome the pandemic, with our concerted and collaborative efforts.
News (34)
Efforts
are being made to ensure the availability of basic agricultural products and technology
Esteemed national peoples,
The State Administration Council is implementing the Five-Point Road Map and
Nine Objectives in serving the State duties.
The
globe has some 7,000 million of population, facing the high requirements of
basic needs. During the pandemic period, food supplies still need for all
despite reducing the other services. We must apply it. Our country engaging in
agriculture and livestock breeding tasks is home to more than 70 rural people.
So,
efforts are being made to ensure the availability of basic agricultural
prerequisites such as quality seeds, soil, water and techniques, reclaim the
fertile cultivable lands, supply agricultural water and provide proper
cultivation methods to the local farmers.
With
regard to the livestock, encouragement will be given to poultry, pig, goat, cow
and fish farming tasks. Systematic breeding tasks are of importance. We have to
undertake the establishment of the emerald livestock villages, production of
pedigree animals and sufficient manufacturing of feedstuffs using the raw
materials. It is necessary to extend agriculture and livestock tasks. For
example, we import some US$1,000 million worth of textile per year.
News (35)
Min
Hung Hlaing: Myanmar to increase cotton cultivation and textile production
Our
country has the season to grow cotton. Clothing is of importance for all
people. Hence, it is necessary to encourage the cultivation of cotton and the
production of textile. We must extend river water pumping stations, irrigated
areas and cotton cultivation.
News (36)
Min
Hung Hlaing: Myanmar to increase palm oil and dairy products to achieve
self-sufficiency
Likewise,
efforts must be made for sufficient production of palm oil and dairy products
at home. It is necessary to fully extend oil palm plantations, sesame,
groundnut, mustard, sunflower and nigre plantations in lower Taninthayi Region
Myeik, Bokpyin and Kawthoung. Dairy cow breeding must be undertaken in the
areas with good climatic conditions to have the surplus volume of dairy
products at home. In accord with the using domestic products, it is necessary
to encourage domestic products and locally made products like a quote “Use and
rely on local makes”.
News (37)
Min Hung
Hlaing: Myanmar aims to decrease the number of migrant workers seeking overseas
jobs, decrease fuel consumption
Employment
opportunities should be created within the country so as to lessen the number
of migrant workers seeking jobs outside the country. In addition, efforts will
be made for reducing fuel consumption and the use of other energy sources.
News (38)
Min Hung
Hlaing: Upgrading agriculture and livestock breeding schools, focus on modernizing
agricultural tasks and agrotechnology
Although
the country is engaged in agriculture and livestock breeding, there are the
only one University of Agriculture and the only one University of Veterinary
Science. The country needs intellectuals and intelligentsia for modernizing the
agriculture and livestock breeding tasks. So, agriculture and livestock
breeding schools in regions and states are upgraded to institutes and colleges
so as to turn out skilled persons. The Ministry of Science and Technology is
reconstituted for modernizing the agricultural tasks, transforming the manual
into mechanized farming and improving other sectors without losing sight over
science and technology.
As the
country is based on agriculture, agricultural products must have a certain
market. Loss and damage of products yearly happened in the border and regular
trade routes due to various reasons. So, efforts must be made for modern
storage systems and the production of value-added products. For example, onion
powder, fried onion and squash onion must be made in addition to the export of
ordinary onion. Farmers must make efforts not to face loss in agricultural and
livestock products. We must march into the agro-based industry.
News (39)
Min
Hung Hlaing: Myanmar should encourage practical higher education to turn out
scientists and other professionals
According to the census in 2014 and 2019 interim census, 8.1 per cent of the
children above five years old have never attended the school. Moreover, 18.2
million people above 25 years old had learned middle education only, accounting
for a one-third population of the country. Such an amount showed we have to
strive for uplifting the education qualification of the people. So, we are
carrying out the tasks as a national duty. It is necessary to turn out educated
persons for ensuring firm democracy and development of the State. We have to
turn out scientists, technologists, law experts, economists and medical
professionals. So, I’d like to urge all to encourage higher education
practically. We have to encourage education.
Amid
difficulties, we reopened the schools not to cut the educational chain. Now,
these schools are temporarily closed due to the outbreak of COVID-19. I thank
all teachers, education staff, parents and students who emphasized education in
the schooling days. All the youths should emphasize learning only.
We set
up the new Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development to contribute to
agriculture and livestock breeding tasks the people work. The ministry will not
only operate the old cooperative system but will create a public-based system
for enabling the people to participate in the same businesses with the same
interests, as well. The developed and developing countries are practising a
good cooperative system. Now, we have set up the agricultural cooperative
societies for the effective operation of the agricultural tasks.
During
the COVID-19 pandemic, the global countries are facing difficulties in the
production and service sectors. Our country also faces such difficulties.
Hence, we have to strive for the sufficiency of basic foodstuffs, healthcare
services, transport services and social security services.
News (40)
Min
Hung Hlaing: Myanmar is modernizing stadiums and gymnasiums
The
health sector is related to sports and fitness. Uplifting the sports brings
honour to the State. It uplifts not only the physical strength but the mental
one, as well. Despite facing restrictions for COVID-19, uplift of sports is
being emphasized. Efforts are being made to modernizing the stadiums and
gymnasiums in regions and states. As the strength of the youth plays a key role
in uplifting the sports, encouragement will be given to the youth and sports
sectors.
The State Administration Council has taken the State responsibilities for six
months. After necessary inspections were accomplished in line with the first
point of the SAC Five-Point Road Map, actions are taken against those who are
responsible under the law. That is why I’d like to inform you that Union-level
and Regions/States-level administration structure will be reformed to
effectively implement the remaining objectives and roadmap activities.
Esteemed national peoples,
I’d like to give the concluding remarks.
(1) The State Administration Council has guaranteed a genuine,
discipline-flourishing multiparty democracy. At a time when the duties in the
state of emergency have been accomplished, the multiparty democracy general
election will be held. So, it is necessary to make many preparations. So, all
the esteemed national peoples aspiring for democracy and peace and tranquillity
of the State are urged to cooperate in the peace, stability and rule of law
tasks.
(2) We will confront the COVID-19 pandemic through the united strength of the
people, the government and all organizations. We overcome challenges
altogether. We must conquer all the difficulties. Let’s overcome the challenges
with the spirit of victory.
(3) We are raising the basic businesses such as the agriculture and livestock
breeding tasks. At least, we decided to ensure the sufficiency of basic needs
during the pandemic period. “Let’s unite as the present moment is important.”
“We must secure the victory through unity.”
May all the esteemed national peoples be physical and mental well-being! Thank
you.
Commentary (1)
COVID-19 unmasks Myanmar regime's callousness and incompetence
Writer : Dakkha, The Irrawaddy
The coupmaker’s activities over the past five months have borne all the hallmarks of a regime leader clinging to power, whatever the cost to the country and its people. The first four months of the takeover saw bloody crackdowns and mass detentions of protesters that resulted in 840 deaths and 5,554 arrests by May 31. At the same time, a deadly civilian armed resistance emerged upcountry and in some ethnic areas, and guerrilla-style attacks erupted in urban areas. Both have inflicted serious casualties on the regime, forcing Min Aung Hlaing to admit that he has yet to bring the country fully under his control, after his coup left it shattered across all sectors. Then came the third wave of COVID-19, which has fully unmasked the regime’s incompetence, mismanagement and lack of vision.
The latest wave of COVID-19 has brought Myanmar to its knees. By the time the new, more contagious variants of the virus started to hit the country in late June, Myanmar’s health system had already collapsed due to the regime’s crackdowns on striking health workers. Officially, in July alone 6,000 people died, making it the deadliest month so far. On Saturday, Myanmar’s official data showed another 392 deaths and 4,725 new infections. According to Our World In Data, a project based at Oxford University, the country’s seven-day rolling average of deaths per 1 million people rose to 6.77 on that day, surpassing those of Indonesia and Malaysia to become the highest in the region. The July death toll is widely believed to exclude the many people who died gasping for breath in their homes, without oxygen. Congratulations, senior general!
Better days
When Myanmar experienced the first and second waves of COVID-19 under the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy government prior to February this year, cooperation between the government and the people in response to the disease was excellent.
In government hospitals, beds were reserved, oxygen cylinders were ready and ICUs were upgraded to treat critical COVID patients. Doctors and nurses declined to return to their homes, working long shifts as patients with COVID-19 symptoms streamed into emergency departments. As the number of infections grew, well-wishers rushed in and improvised COVID-19 centers, and field hospitals mushroomed. On national TV, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi soothed her fellow citizens with assurances that the government “would take absolute care of people’s health.” Unsurprisingly, no one was turned away from hospitals.
Witnessing all this before the coup, many in the country at the time couldn’t help wondering, “How would the previous military regime or their proxy governments have handled the crisis if they were still in power?”
They unanimously came to the conclusion that it would be a nightmare and the whole country would be suffering a serious public health disaster with mounting deaths. Their lifelong experience of living under military rule and the quasi-civilian government until early 2016 had enlightened them that the men in uniform and their associates are an entirely self-centered breed devoid of benevolence. Seeing the democratically elected government’s relentless effort to fight against the deadly disease, the people heaved a collective sigh of relief.
Nightmare scenario
However, this sense of reassurance was shattered on a February morning by the coup. Five months after the takeover, the public’s COVID nightmare scenario became a reality in July. The whole country was shocked to see images of coronavirus victims’ bodies lined up head to toe at crematoriums in Yangon, the country’s COVID hotspot. Even the city’s oldest residents said the scenes were unprecedented. True to form as a breed of soldiers who know nothing about how to run a country properly—or perhaps because they were unwilling to help—rather than trying to prevent deaths from COVID-19, the regime ordered that more crematoriums be built. Unsurprisingly, the people are showering Min Aung Hlaing with the curses he deserves.
Across the country, people frantically hunt for oxygen, a lifeline for their family members with COVID-19, as the regime has restricted the supply, claiming the measure is needed to prevent hoarding. On Myanmar’s most popular social media platform, Facebook, people desperately beg for oxygen cylinders for their loved ones who have resorted to home treatment after being turned away by overwhelmed and understaffed hospitals. Heartbreaking posts appear, such as, “I no longer need it… Mom has just passed away. Thank you all who helped.”
The blame for every life lost during the third wave of COVID-19 lies squarely with Min Aung Hlaing, as he simply failed to take serious measures to prevent such an outbreak, or to prepare for its arrival.
Undaunted by the daily increase in confirmed cases and deaths in May, Min Aung Hlaing ordered schools across the country to open on June 1. It was widely seen as a desperate attempt by the regime to show the world that normalcy had returned to Myanmar. Two weeks later, hundreds of teachers and students at private and public schools tested positive. All hell started to break loose. Despite the soaring numbers of new cases and deaths, he flew to Russia. During his one-week stay there, he extolled the Kremlin’s ties with Naypyitaw and visited military hardware factories, while the COVID positivity rate in Myanmar increased from 11.86 percent to 17.37.
When 144 people had died by the end of June, the regime woke up. Min Aung Hlaing held his first meeting on COVID-19 on July 9. At that time, 431 people had already died since June. He said he had ordered battalions and military units across the country to house quarantined people. At subsequent meetings, he said Myanmar had enough oxygen, but his troops on the ground stole cylinders from charity groups. He also shamelessly appealed to striking healthcare workers who had been in hiding from his arrest warrants to go back to work, as the hospitals were understaffed. Out in the streets, his rifle-wielding soldiers barked orders to “Disperse immediately!” at people queuing outside medical stores, because the regime doesn’t want crowds gathering. No wonder he has been accused of weaponizing COVID-19.
Rather than taking responsibility for not acting early, the coup leader on Sunday blamed the new variants for the high infection and death tolls, as they are more contagious than those in the first and second waves.
In fact, the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi government had planned to begin its nationwide inoculation rollout on Feb. 5. But Min Aung Hlaing’s coup on Feb. 1 completely disrupted the plan. Shipment of 27 million vaccine doses from COVAX, a United Nations-backed initiative to vaccinate the world’s most vulnerable, stalled. Were it not for the takeover, Myanmar’s vaccine drive would have moved forward as planned in February and in the following months. It would have covered the country’s population to some extent by now, which would have reduced the fatality rate from the third wave. (Since the takeover, the regime has intermittently inoculated 1.77 million of the country’s more than 54 million people with 3.5 million jabs from India secured by the previous government. Its own vaccination drive started in late July when jabs donated by and bought from China arrived.)
Min Aung Hlaing’s belated, badly managed efforts have made little headway against the virus. This can be attributed directly to the fact that, unlike Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, he doesn’t have popular support and the people don’t trust him, due to the coup. Most Myanmar people, especially young people, feel he has robbed them of their dreams and their future. They detest him so much that they refuse to call him by his name. That’s why his repeated calls for public collaboration have simply been rejected by the majority of the people.
The reality is that people are now caring for each other rather than relying on the regime in their fight against COVID-19, as the junta leader has failed them. So, they share their oxygen with each other. When they have extra medicine, they give them to whomever is in need. They encourage each other by saying, “You have to survive this in order to see his ouster.” When a whole family is too sick to go out, all they have to do is hang a yellow cloth outside their home. People near and far will rush to drop anything from Vitamin C to foods to cold tablets at the family’s doorstep. Nothing more truly reflects the spirit of “for the people, by the people” than Myanmar’s situation today.
So, what can Min Aung Hlaing claim to have achieved for Myanmar as his rule turns six months old?
Growing public misery. Growing numbers of deaths, and…. (please feel free to add anything you think is suitable…)
He also repeated accusations of electoral fraud against the civilian government led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) party, which won a landslide victory in last year’s polls.
Local and international observers have dismissed the military’s claims of fraud and said the election results reflected the desire of the majority of Myanmar’s people.
These latest developments were seen by critics of the regime as evidence of both its weakness and its determination to hold onto power.
Thein Oo, the judicial minister of the shadow National Unity Government, said the junta’s move was aimed at the military and meant to “delude” its ranks with false hopes of power.
“The country has become a failed state. And the army has become broken inside, too. So this is to delude [the junta’s] own army. It is certainly not about the election, but to keep the army in line,” he said.
A long-time observer of Myanmar’s governance system said that Sunday’s speech and announcement both signalled the regime’s plans to stay in power indefinitely.
“It is pretty certain that they are trying to hold power as a government for the long term,” said the observer, who works with a civil society organisation and asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.
This is not the first time that Myanmar has been under a military caretaker government. In 1958, army chief Ne Win was invited by then Prime Minister U Nu to lead the country for two years amid a growing political crisis.
Although Ne Win duly returned power at the end of this term, he went on to stage a coup in 1962 that ushered in half a century of military rule.
The regime did not attempt to justify the formation of a new caretaker government on constitutional grounds, but in his speech, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated his position that the coup was in line with the constitution and pledged to establish a union of “democracy and federalism” in Myanmar.
He also said the military council would work with any special envoy named by the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) to implement a five-point agreement adopted by the regional grouping at a special summit held to address the crisis in Myanmar in late April.
“Myanmar is ready to work on ASEAN cooperation within the ASEAN framework, including the dialogue with the ASEAN special envoy in Myanmar,” he said.
Reuters reported that the ASEAN foreign ministers plan to meet on Monday in a bid to finalise the appointment of a special envoy tasked with ending the violence in Myanmar and promoting dialogue between the junta and its opponents.
Myanmar has been on the brink of collapse since the coup, which immediately triggered nationwide protests and a strike by hundreds of thousands of civil servants, including healthcare workers.
Brutal crackdowns by the military have since spawned an armed resistance movement targeting the regime’s armed forces and junta collaborators, raising fears of spiralling violence.
The country’s economy has also been in a freefall under Min Aung Hlaing’s rule, with the number of people living in poverty expected to double this year, according to the World Bank.
Over the past month, the country has also battled the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Official figures show that the disease is claiming hundreds of lives daily, although the actual number of deaths is likely much higher.
In his speech, Min Aung Hlaing blamed “terrorists” opposed to his rule for the country’s woes.
“Protests staged across the nation after February 1 were transformed into anarchic and then armed conflict. Innocent people were killed by surprise. Why did they kill the people? Why did they attack the people living in peace? We can’t accept it,” he said.
The junta has killed more than 900 civilians, including dozens of children, and arrested nearly 7,000 in an effort to suppress dissent and control the country. According to Min Aung Hlaing, this response has been in line with international norms.
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