The National Defence and Security Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar held the 2/2024 meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on 31 July 2024.
The National Defence and Security Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar held its 2/2024 meeting at the Office of the State Administration Council Chairman in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
As Pro Tem President U Myint Swe is receiving medical treatment on medical leave due to his current health conditions, the duties and functions of the Pro Tem President were transferred to the Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to carry out measures of the National Defence and Security Council. So, the meeting was attended by Pro Tem President (Duty) Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U T Khun Myat, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Union Minister for Defence Admiral Tin Aung San, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, specially invited SAC Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe and Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo.
First, the Pro Tem President (Duty) Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services made clarifications on undertakings in the six months. The State Administration Council extended its term for carrying out State responsibilities and needs for further tasks. He said transferring the duties and functions of the Pro Tem President would be explained at first. Starting from early 2023, Pro Tem President U Myint Swe has been receiving medical treatment provided by a medical team comprising specialists as he is suffering from psychomotor retardation. Moreover, he underwent an eye surgical operation for both eyes with cataracts, which improved his eyesight. But, he still suffers from psychomotor retardation. At a time when a medical check-up was performed on him, his health condition did not improve, and as he was incapable of doing all daily routine moves, including eating food, his duties and functions were transferred at 10:30 am on 22 July 2024 for carrying out the national defence and security council measures.
If the declaration of a state of emergency is analyzed according to Section 417 and Section 412 of the Constitution, although some persons involved in the National Defence and Security Council are absent during the period when the state of emergency has not been completed, the remaining persons have to serve the duties mandated by the Constitution without fail. If the Pro Tem President cannot attend the National Defence and Security Council meeting in his condition or the Pro Tem President is absent for various reasons, the definition of Section 412 (b) and Section 418 (b) of the Constitution indicates that the Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services has to lead the meeting to decide all measures of the State primarily. Section 419 of the Constitution stipulates that the executive power of the State is being exercised by the SAC Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services on behalf of the President. Hence, the executive power of the State was transferred to the SAC Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, in accord with Section 419 of the Constitution, as he is exercising the executive power on behalf of the President.
The State Administration Council will implement the five-point roadmap and nine objectives steadfastly. Since its assumption of the State’s responsibilities, the SAC checked voter lists for voting fraud in detail in the townships where the election was held. Responsible persons who committed voting fraud did not admit their acts, but their voting fraud obviously emerged when witnesses were investigated. Findings of voting fraud were released, and action was taken against those responsible persons under the law. The government has adopted the five-point roadmap and nine objectives. Upon completion of the two-year term of the emergency period set at first, the election was to be held. As there was no condition to hold the election, the state of emergency was declared again after the two-year term. The five-point roadmap was amended in conformity with time and conditions. The last point of the amended roadmap is to hold the election. Holding the election is a government’s vision which never changes. Hence, preparations are ongoing to hold an election. The Senior General reaffirmed that he will implement the vision to achieve success.
Security sector concerning the prosperity of the State
After assuming State responsibilities in accord with the Constitution, the State Administration Council has been restoring the peace and stability of the country and cementing the multiparty democratic system under the law. However, NUG, CRPH and PDF terrorists have been committing terror acts with lawlessness to raise panic among the people. From 1 February 2021 to 27 July 2024, terror attacks killed 84 members of the Sangha and 7,284 innocent people and State service personnel nationwide. They also destroyed a total of 10,930 buildings from the education and health sectors and public residential houses, as well as infrastructures for the development of the State. Moreover, some ethnic armed organizations not wishing to forge peace continue armed insurgency so as to undermine the peace and stability of the State by all means. The Senior General recounted that when he met EAOs, they pledged that they agreed to Our Three Main National Causes. At present, some EAOs violate Our Three Main National Causes. All citizens are responsible for defending the State and especially safeguarding Our Three Main National Causes. He continued that he put the People’s Military Service Law enacted for years into force and is restoring security, peace and stability of the State as quickly as possible.
The State Administration Council strives to implement a genuine, disciplined multiparty democratic system. Terrorists are solving the problems through armed terrorism ways for political reasons, but they cannot achieve success. It can be seen such a way cannot bring benefit to anyone.
MNDAA and TNLA violated the temporary ceasefire agreement agreed upon by both sides to ensure peace and stability in the region in Shan State (North) and launched attacks. MNDAA attacked regional security posts around Lashio and fired rockets at Lashio daily. At present, they infiltrate Lashio and are destroying life and property of people. TNLA also joined hands with PDF terrorists and attacked local security posts in Nawnghkio, Kyaukme and Mogok regions and urban areas. Their terror attacks cause instability in the region, leading to the loss of lives and property of locals, ethnics, and national people. People very abhor those terrorists due to their daily threats on the life and property of people under various pretexts and for various reasons. Tatmadaw was born of the people, and it is a people’s Tatmadaw, which is a part of the State. Tatmadaw makes utmost efforts defend the life and property of the people and the State. Upholding the interests of the people and the State is launching a just war. So, he said he was proud of patriotic youths, organizations, war veterans, and ethnic and national people who supported Tatmadaw in serving in a just war. I want to urge all to collectively defend the State against insurgents and saboteurs, who intentionally attack the State, with a united national spirit and Myanmar spirit. Tatmadaw decided to continuously forge peace and stability in Lashio, Nawnghkio, Kyaukme, Hsipaw and Mogok regions. Border region management measures are under the arrangement of both countries. Likewise, border trade must be done by government departments of both countries. As weak
management can be seen in some border regions, it is necessary to carry out all measures into normalcy.
The government is holding talks with political parties and ethnic armed organizations to restore durable peace for the Union. The remarks from the talks were recorded as the Union Accords. Moreover, further talks will be held. Some foreign countries encourage armed insurgents and terrorist groups and political dissenters with monetary assistance, food, medicines, arms and ammunition, technologies and logistic opportunities in order to shape Myanmar as expected for prolonging armed conflicts. They also help malicious media to conduct psychological warfare.
Economic sector
In striving for a booming State economy, only when the State carries out the development of manufacturing will the State GDP improve. So, efforts are underway to develop the agriculture, industrial, and service sectors. It is impossible to increase GDP without basic manufacturing. Since its assumption, the government has experienced a severe outbreak of COVID-19 as well as downtrends in the economy. The GDP growth in 2020-2021 plunged into -5.9 per cent. Due to making utmost efforts for the development of agriculture and livestock breeding sectors, the country could secure +2.4 per cent of GDP in the six months of 2021-22 FY, with an 8.3 per cent increase. In the 2022-23 financial year, the country won 3.4 per cent of GDP and in the 2023-24 FY, 3.5 per cent of GDP. At present, the government is pouring out its efforts to secure 3.8 per cent of GDP growth in the current 2024-25 FY. If the state economy declines, it will have other negative impacts. So, it can be seen that some countries impose economic sanctions against Myanmar, applying more sanctions against banks not running banking services, blocking border trade in various ways and means, and encouraging ethnic armed organizations from border regions in various ways in order to seek profits and manipulate these areas. Hence, encouragements are being made for all to increase production in agriculture and livestock farms. It is necessary to support MSME businesses. Hence, the Senior General thanked all farmers from agriculture and livestock farms for their endeavours.
In April, unscrupulous businesspersons threw monetary value into disorder. So, prices of gold and currency changed unprecedentedly without the ordinary process. They also blocked economic processes, caused bankruptcy, and caused monetary affairs to go into disorder. As such, verification was conducted over them under necessary disciplines and law. As it is essential to ensure firmness of currency rather than inflation, a plan is underway to ensure firmness of currency.
Many incidents happened in which unscrupulous businesspersons spread rumours about cooking oil and fuel to raise panic among the people in the country during the period when the government served its duties. Hence, the government adopted correct measures and precise policies to ease the tension of the people. With regard to rice, as a possible situation that might occur with the prices of rice being in disorder, the necessary investigation was conducted to ensure the stability of rice prices. In order to ensure convenience for people in the food supply sector, the volume of rice each family will need is being sold nationwide. Accepting the concept that politics is economy, the government sets visions to improve the living standards of the people by meeting the basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter and to develop the whole nation.
Social sector
Education is crucial for the long-term sustainability of a country and its development. Hence, arrangements are underway for all school-age children to learn education and to pursue the KG+9 educational scheme as a compulsory measure. Upon completion of KG+9, if students continue learning agriculture, livestock breeding and industrial subjects for three years from KG+10 to KG+12, they will have basic job opportunities. If they are qualified, they will have to continue learning to obtain the necessary diplomas and degrees. If so, the country will have skilful human resources in manufacturing. According to the new academic system, if students reach KG+12, they may turn 17 or 18 years old. If they turn 18, they will be the age of voting. If the country is democratic, everybody needs to understand legal affairs. Hence, it is necessary to discuss legal affairs so that those youths have a broader scope of legal knowledge.
This academic year, some 70 per cent of basic education schools were reopened across the nation. As more than 92 per cent of students out of registered ones attended the basic education schools, officials need to continuously strive to ensure a cent per cent attendance of students and reopening schools. According to the age-wise population of the country, it is necessary to increase the attendance of students. Priority must be given to school-age children to attend schools and reach the path of learning in all regions where schools are opened.
Since 2023, the education conference has been held. This year, the education conference was held last month. Findings from conferences must be emphasized in the enhancement of Myanmar’s education sector. The future of the State depends on education, so students, parents, administrative bodies, and educational staff have to cooperate in the promotion of the education sector. In line with the motto: School is the birthplace of national character, it is necessary to teach students to be responsible citizens by following school disciplines and then laws, rules and regulations.
With regard to the enhancement of the health sector, the State Administration Council has a plan to upgrade township hospitals and higher-grade hospitals this financial year in order to ensure better healthcare services. Arrangements are ongoing to fill these hospitals with necessary hospital equipment. To do so, US$22 million and K116.8 billion from the separate fund will be spent on providing hospital devices to hospitals and carrying out extended construction.
The government has adopted a policy that every hospital must have medical doctors in order to appoint health staff to vacant posts entirely. As emphasis has been placed on substituting the posts of health staff who left duties from workplaces due to indoctrination, so far, a total of 68,258 health staff are giving healthcare services to the people at 7,278 clinics and 757 hospitals nationwide. Efforts will be exerted constantly so that all citizens can be entitled to fundamental health rights. In order to support the point from the Social Economic Objectives: To elevate the health and sports sectors crucial for all the people, thus improving the nation’s life expectancy and health, a plan is underway to hold the Fifth National Sports Festival in the coming December.
Myanmar has been a flood-prone country during monsoon season every year. This year, rainfalls from the early monsoons are more extensive than in other years. Flooding happens from Myitkyina in upper Myanmar to other regions. At present, floods occur in many parts of lower Myanmar. Tatmadaw, Myanmar Police Force, Fire Brigade and duty-conscious social organizations are serving relief measures for the public interests actively in natural disasters.
Food security
As the world’s population is on the rise, food demand rises. Due to climatic conditions and geographical conditions, Myanmar is blessed with thriving all crops and livestock breeding measures. So, it is necessary to utilize them efficiently. It was earmarked to grow more than 15 million acres of monsoon paddy in the 2024-2025 season, and at present, some 70 per cent of paddy has been grown. More than 4.6 million acres of farmlands and croplands have been placed under monsoon oil crops such as groundnut, sesame and sunflower, accounting for 81 per cent and more than three million acres of pulses and beans, accounting for 70 per cent. Instructions have been given to increase the per-acre yield of crops through a double cropping pattern. Moreover, if farmers do systematic livestock breeding and increase livestock products, the country will have local food security by reducing imports and exporting them as main export items.
Myanmar plants 15 million acres of monsoon paddy and two million acres of summer paddy. As the country grows some 15 million acres, if paddy yields approximately 100 baskets per acre, there will be food security for 100 million population. As it is a single crop, the double crops can grant food sufficiency for 200 million population. Hence, paddy cultivation will have a rice surplus and earn foreign currency. If other crops such as cotton, pulses, beans, and oil meet the target cultivation, surplus crops will emerge without the need to expand sown acreage. As such, it is necessary to strive for their work and provide opportunities to do so.
According to the 2019 interim census, 41.2 per cent of the workforce above 15 years old are working in agriculture, forestry and fishery businesses. It is necessary to train the workforce to be good human resources in these areas. Myanmar’s main business is agriculture and livestock breeding. In the livestock breeding sector, domestic strains of animals are bred in battery farms, and broken rice, bran, maize, and expeller cakes from groundnut oil and sesame oil are also produced. Straws are systematically used to feed animals to be cost-effective. Arrangements are made for farmers to observe agriculture and livestock breeding techniques from prosperous countries on agriculture and livestock farms and operate their businesses with modern techniques.
If well-off persons invest in the agriculture and livestock breeding sectors, these sectors will improve, manufacturing will increase, and their investments are welcomed. As agriculture and livestock breeding tasks are sure for the business of the State, efforts must be made to meet the target production.
Building the Union based on democracy and federalism
It can be seen that most of the characteristics mentioned in the Constitution (2008) conform to the Union (federalism) system. First, the Constitution expresses the formation of two Hluttaws at the Union level and region/state level, guaranteeing the existence of region/state, mentioning the existence of six self-administered zones and division and their power, and exact provisions of sharing budget allocation for the Union and regions and states. Hence, it is necessary to apply entitlements given by the Constitution for effective implementation of regional development. If necessary, amendments to the Constitution will be made in accordance with rules and regulations.
The State Administration Council is building the Union construction process based on the strengthening of the genuine disciplined multiparty democratic system and democracy and federalism with momentum. In so doing, 46 more districts have been formed in regions and states, including Nay Pyi Taw, to ensure the smoothness of the work process to form an effective administration with 121 districts in 2022. Under the leadership of districts, all townships and regions have to undertake development tasks. Regions, states, and districts are to apply their authority to develop their regions. In so doing, regions and states have to hold elections to meet set percentages as much as possible to be able to form as elected governments in their regions. As such, regions and states need to take security processes from now on.
In implementing the multiparty democratic system, different opinions among the people are acceptable. As any country and society do not accept terrorism and armed demands for their desires, they all have to demand their needs under the law. At a time when the law cannot be promulgated before the Hluttaw, the Union will issue ordinances and directives for regions and states. Building the Union based on democracy and federalism must be demanded under the law, and it will be implemented continuously in accord with the procedures.
Cementing multiparty democratic system
An ultimate aim of the State Administration Council is to hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election. Accurate basic voter lists are essential for successfully holding an election. Voting errors in the 2020 general election left a very dark black spot in the history of the nation. In order to prevent a similar incident from happening again, it is necessary to manage the correct voter lists. Preparations are being made to ensure the correctness of voter lists, and population and household census will be enumerated in the coming October. It is a preparation to solve possible problems in successfully collecting voter lists.
Priority will be given to the collection of population on the ground nationwide. In the areas where it is difficult to collect data on the ground, plans are underway to adjust the lists on the ground. Enumeration of the population will be conducted in possible towns and villages, and similar collections will be done at related townships under security measures. The election will be held in accord with the Constitution (2008) and election law. The election will be held in possible regions depending on regional security measures at first. Depending on the current situation, security measures will be raised in the areas where elections cannot be held for holding more elections. Only when these regions are peaceful and stable will they strengthen the multiparty democratic system and correct the reform process as quickly as possible. Hence, appropriate measures will be taken for the security sector.
The Union Election Commission has allowed registration for 50 out of 67 political parties for the re-establishment and new establishment of political parties. Two of them were cancelled for political party registration under the law, and there are 48 existing political parties at present.
UEC has performed demonstrations and test-voting of the Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine for 107,299 people in 121 townships in five regions and states, including Nay Pyi Taw, to ensure a smooth voting process.
The State Administration Council has guaranteed continuous implementation of the multiparty democratic system and strengthened the multiparty democratic system. At present, NUG and PDF terrorists accelerate terror attacks by taking aid from countries which do not want the interests of Myanmar. It is obvious that some armed groups not wishing to realize peace and democratic culture leverage up unlawful acts and expansion of their areas. Hence, it is necessary to continue the restoration of peace and stability across the nation and security measures. At present, essential preparations must be made to undertake the development tasks of the nation with momentum and hold a multiparty democratic general election, and it is necessary to implement the electoral processes successfully. Hence, the State Administration Council submitted an extension of the six-month more term for serving state responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution in order to implement the above-mentioned processes under Section 425 of the Constitution.
With regard to the submission of the Senior General, members of the National Defence and Security Council held discussions. First, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat said that the enumeration of population and household census is essential for Myanmar. Current and accurate voter lists must be based on data from the national census in order to hold the forthcoming multiparty democratic general election successfully. Census collection is interconnected with the compilation of the basic voter list. The population and household census will be enumerated from 1 to 15 October. To do so, it is necessary to take adequate time. So, he supported the more extension of a six-month period of declaration of the state of emergency nationwide from 1 August 2024.
Vice-Senior General Soe Win also discussed that he supported the SAC Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services serving as Pro Tem President (Duty) under Sections 412, 417, 419 and 425 of the Constitution due to health conditions of Pro Tem President U Myint Swe. At present, the security measures of the State have not yet been completed. Enumeration of population and household census is also important. Hence, he supported an extension of a six-month term of the state of emergency to do these measures.
In his discussions, Union Minister for Defence Admiral Tin Aung San said that terrorists have been attacking not only security posts but towns and villages of people in Shan State (North), Mandalay Region and Rakhine State with rockets and drones since early July 2024 as to jeopardize peace and stability and the rule of law. Tatmadaw is striving to hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election in a stable and secure time to hand over State power to the forthcoming government systematically. To be able to hold the election, it is necessary to extend the term of the State of emergency to ensure the security, peace and stability of the State. Hence, he supports the extension of a six-month term of the state of emergency.
Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae expressed his opinion that so far, arms, ammunition and mines have been seized in regions and states. Martial law administration has been declared in some townships to ensure the rule of law and peace and tranquillity in relevant regions, as well as declared a curfew order under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The armed terrorism in 2024 and security, peace and stability, as well as the tranquillity of the community, are not in ordinary situations. So, he supported the extension of the term of State of emergency across the nation under Section 425 of the Constitution.
Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung said that the SAC could implement security, the rule of law, prosperity and food security of the State to some extent during the previously extended six-month period. However, it is necessary to successfully hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election, implement security measures, ensure peace and stability, and enumerate the census. So, as the SAC needs to carry out its tasks in six more months period under Section 425 of the Constitution, he supported the proposal of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
Moreover, the Senior General added his speech, saying that the enumeration of population and household census cannot be conducted entirely in a short time. So, it is necessary to verify all processes. Depending on the population, voter lists must be compiled as much as possible. As some regions and states face weaknesses in security measures, taking security measures must be raised at the collection of population. Hence, it is necessary to prioritize areas that are dependent on security for the emergence of relevant Hluttaws and cabinets. Notably, the government needs to implement a genuine democratic path.
He also underlined that the voter lists must be correct so as not to cause voting fraud as in the 2020 election. Hence, all need to participate in the population and household census collection in October. Only when elections can be held in all regions and states will the Union government, Pyithu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw and region and State Hluttaw emerge. Hence, he agreed on the proposals of members of the National Defence and Security Council to take adequate time to ensure the improvement of peace and stability, the rule of law and security measures.
He continued that as those members have agreed to extend six months of the state of emergency due to political conditions in the State, he declared a further six-month term of declaring the state of emergency from 1 August 2024 in accordance with Section 425 of the Constitution. — MNA/TTA
