Understand Tatmadaw’s national political role; be united and dutiful to nation, Tatmadaw
Nay Pyi Taw September 18
The Tatmadaw, which is a part of the nation, was born of the people. The Tatmadaw and the national history are indi-visible. All must understand that the Tatmadaw is in the service of the country through its national defence duties.
It must be for the nation. All Tatmadaw members must make collective efforts for national progress to the most possible degree while perform-ing their duties well, said State Administration Council Chair-man Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing this morning at his meeting with officers, other ranks and families of Myitkyina Station at Bala Min Htin Hall of the Northern Command headquarters.
Present together with the Senior General were his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw and wife, senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, Command Com-mander Brig-Gen Myat Thet Oo, officers, other ranks and families of Myitkyina Station.
The Senior General said offi-cers, other ranks and families must have the awareness of the nation’s political changes and the Tatmadaw’s pivotal role in the national political sector. History shows that the country was governed by the administrative systems that were suitable to the time during the post-independence pe-riod. The former Tatmadaw government conducted the de-mocratization process through different stages after studying the democratic systems of global countries. After putting the nation on the path to public-aspired democracy, it success-fully held the multi-party general election for 2010 in accord with the democratic practices.
After the election, the ad-ministration led by President U Thein Sein made progress in multi sectors including democratic reforms, political, economic and social sectors and international relations. But it faced challenges. Wider knowledge of democracy was required in introducing the system. Normally, a country adopted a specific democracy that is suitable for its social system, cultural characteristics and customs.
A new government took po-wer in the 2015 election. A lot of criticisms surfaced during its five-year term. There was not considerable progress in politi-cal, economic, social and many other sectors. People were not satisfied with the performance of the government they chose.
As their expectations could not be realized there appeared the no vote movement. In the municipal elections held in 2019, only 14 percent of the eligible voters went to the polling stations.
During the pre-election period fairness of the party can-vassing campaigns were so much doubtful. Possible elect-ion fraud was detected when the results of the election were announced. When the Tatma-daw checked the voter lists, it found them seriously erroneous. Responsible persons failed to heed the Tatmadaw’s repeated calls to solve the pro-blem. Instead, they even made attempts to take over the state power by force by convening the third hluttaw and forming a new government. Hence, the situation has reached the current level.
The Tatmadaw formed the SAC during its provisional as-sumption of the State duties. It laid down the five work programs and nine objectives in bringing all-round progress back to the country. The current endeavours are for the country to stand firmly on the multiparty democracy that is well-ordered and genuine. Prosperity of the nation and surplus food supply are other priority tasks under implementation.
People who are against national peace and tranquility are re-sorting to various destructive acts with the goal of interrupting transport, halting the edu-cation, health and administrative machinery. Myanmar peo-ple have the welfare spirit and value the collective efforts.Recently, the good spirit was poisoned. Collective efforts between security forces and the people are required to ward off those destructive acts. Officers, other ranks and families should have the awareness of the current political situation.
Regarding the matters of the armed forces, the Tatmadaw, which was born of the people, is part of the State. The main duty of the Tatmadaw is to defend the State, and the Tatmadaw and the history of the nation could not be segre-gated. Although the duty of the Tatmadaw is to protect the nation from external enemy and that of the Myanmar Police Force is to solve internal conflicts, the Tatmadaw has kept engaging in the measures to crack down on domestic armed conflicts according to the requirements that have appeared since the independence was regained and the historically traditional instances. To dis-charge the duty to defend the State, officers and other ranks must be qualified for the three capabilities and are to correctly and regularly discharge the routine training duties that are taken daily.
Training and academic courses are being conducted to ensure improvement of the capabilities of the officers and other ranks and to enable them to dutifully discharge their assigned duties. Whatever unit they are assigned in, they must be able to take duties as assigned in an infantry unit. They are always to stand by for any combat and to take training for better efficiency in joint operations.
Since birth, our Tatmadaw has been a well-disciplined-and-obedient Tatmadaw. It is to understand that discharging the duty to defend the State is serving the State. The Tatma-daw must be for the State. It is to know that the Tatmadaw has played a leading role when the State faced emergency situations in the country. It is needed to keep in mind that we must serve the State through doing everything as much as we can.
As provision is made for welfare, education, health and living of the families of the Tatmadaw members in accordance with the designated levels, the officers and other ranks are to dutifully discharge their assigned duties and make endeavours for improvement of the three capabilities. It is needed for the leaders to be fair and just in leadership and the subordinates need to be disciplined and to act as good soldiers as well. They must successfully find solutions to difficulties faced through a combination of their duties and studies on the practical ground. As salary, ration and rights are given to the Tatmadaw members according to their ranks, they are to consider budget on their income and outgoings and to have their own consciousness to refrain from spending on liquor, cigarettes and betel that are harmful to their improvement of life. It is needed for them to be dutiful in the matters of their military units and to make their best cooperative efforts for the development of the nat-ion as well.
Regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, although there was up to 40 percent increase in the transmission of the disease in its third wave, currently the transmission rate has been below 10 percent due to the management of administrat-ive bodies, efforts of the health personnel, and cooperation of the people. As only if the infection rate of confirmed cases drops to some extent, tasks on education and other development matters could be carried out, it is needed to exactly follow the rules and restrictions on COVID-19 to be able to get the spread of COVID-19 under control. It is also needed to spend one’s time positively for the improvement of life during the stay-at-home period.
Then, the Senior General met the officers, other ranks and families and made coordination for their necessities.
After the meeting, the Senior General presented foodstuff through the commander and the wife of the Senior General provided cash assistance for maternal and child welfare through the wife of the commander.
Afterwards, the Senior General and party cordially greet-ed the officers, other ranks and their families who were present at the meeting.
Later, the Senior General, his wife and party inspected the military hospital in Myitkyina and visited the officers and other ranks who are taking medical treatment there and gave them gifts of foodstuff.