National Defence and Security Council holds its 2/2023 meeting
The National Defence and Security Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar held the 2/2023 meeting at the office of the State Administration Council Chairman in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
Speaking at the meeting, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing explained the endeavours of the State Administration Council during the six months further extended to take State responsibilities in accord with the Five-Point Road Map and 12 Objectives.
He continued to say that, during the period from 1 February to 31 July 2023, four members of the Sangha and nuns, 772 innocent people and 28 State service personnel lost their lives in attacks by NUG, PDF and some EAOs. Moreover, those terrorists destroyed one building related to the health sector, 11 religious buildings, 76 public buildings, 94 roads, bridges and tollgate facilities and 26 telecom towers.
While the government is striving for the education promotion of the people, terrorists committed terror attacks against the education sector.
Moreover, terrorists committed to blowing up the roads and bridges 94 times. According to the information, a total of 18,792 assorted guns, 1,423,224 rounds of ammunition and 45,865 units of ammunition were seized from terrorists from 1 February 2021 to 30 July 2023.
The government set military operation areas and military administration areas under the law for ensuring peace and stability of the entire people and security of the socioeconomic life of the people.
The government managed help the State escape from the economic downtrend in the 2020-2021 financial year due to its concerted efforts under the missions and visions. As the country secured 3.4 per cent of GDP in 2022-23 FY, now it sees 4 per cent of GDP in 2023-24 FY with concerted efforts.
Concerning the election process, 30 old political parties and five new parties, totalling 35 have been allowed to stand as registered political parties till 27 July 2023.
The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee held peace talks with seven NCA signatories and three non-NCA signatories 22 times from 1 February to 27 July 2023. Three NCA signatory armed organizations did not attend the peace talks for various reasons. Currently, these three organizations commit terror attacks. But, the government always opens the door of peace to all ethnic armed organizations which wish to ensure peace and development in Myanmar.
As the current government took the State’s responsibilities due to occurrences of voting fraud, the correct voter list is of importance for the forthcoming election for which the current government will take responsibility.
The Senior General noted that some terrorist groups and some ethnic armed organizations are committing armed attacks, murdering, mine planting, setting fire and various terror acts in some townships of Sagaing, Magway, Bago and Taninthayi regions, Kayin, Kayah, Chin and Mon states. They use civilian people as human shields in attacking the buildings of locals, religious buildings and departmental offices. So, security forces control their counterattacks on those terrorists.
The election must be held in the entire nation creating a peaceful and stable situation with full law and order for the voter people to cast votes without dependence and fear. Hence, everybody needs to strive for emphasizing the holding of the general election which will be a political decision. Moreover, political parties, EAOs, stakeholders, people, local and foreign organizations and international communities have to cooperate with the government to realize a genuine, disciplined multiparty democratic system the entire people aspire to. As it is necessary to accelerate peace and stability, and rule of law processes must be done in some areas of regions and states where terror attacks occur, the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services sought the approval to extend six further months period of the State of Emergency.
Vice-President U Henry Van Thio and Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U T Khun Myat agreed to the submission of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to extend six months of the State of Emergency from 1 August 2023 under Section 425 of the Constitution.
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Vice-Senior General Soe Win discussed the need to take a certain length of time to launch military and security operations for minimizing terror acts, strenuous efforts of the Tatmadaw to restore perpetual peace across the nation, preparations for the accuracy of voter lists, and support for an extended further six-month period of the State of Emergency across the nation.
Union Minister for Defence General Mya Tun Oo, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe and Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung expressed their support for an extension of the further six-month period of the State of Emergency.
In his address, Pro Tem President U Myint Swe said that with regard to the forthcoming election, except some areas of Sagaing, Magway, Bago and Taninthayi regions, Kayah, Kayin and Chin states due to occurrences of terror acts and unlawful movements, such general election must be held in the entire nation.
Before concluding the meeting, the Pro Tem President declared the extension of a further six-month State of Emergency in the entire nation from 1 August 2023 and informed the National Defence and Security Council about further handing over the State responsibilities to the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services under Section 419 of the Constitution, adding that the National Defence and Security Council will announce it. — MNA/TTA
Facts File:
Salient points about the State Administration Council
At the first meeting of the National Defence and Security Council on 1 February 2021, the Pro Tem President of the State handed over legislative, executive and judicial powers of the State to the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services under Section 418 (a) of the State Constitution.
a one-year term from 1 February 2021 to 31 January 2022
a six-month term from 1 February 2022 to 31 July 2022
an additional six-month term from 1 August 2022 to 31 January 2023 for the first time
an additional six-month term from 1 February 2023 to 31 July 2023 for the second time
