The Tatmadaw must shoulder the defence duties as its principal task is national defence. A soldier’s life begins with good discipline and obedience in the Tatmadaw, which are to be preserved throughout his career. And based on these practices capacity of the units must be built. The duty of the Tatmadaw is to defend the people and nation from enemies. It is not an organization to govern the people. It is now involved in the administrative affairs of the State because of the national situation. There were times when the Tatmadaw had to shoulder the State’s duties beginning from the time independence was restored. It had also solved the armed conflicts that occurred during those times. The Tatmadaw’s participation in the leading role of national politics is the historical duty entrusted by the Constitution. Hence, all its members should carry out the work systematically.
“The Tatmadaw will always be an institution trustworthy for the people and nation if all the individuals, battalions and headquarters efficiently work in unity based on good discipline and obedience of every military personnel,” said Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in meeting with officers, other ranks and families of Yangon Station yesterday afternoon.
Also present at the meeting together with the Senior General were council members General Maung Maung Kyaw and Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, Joint-Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army, Navy and Air), commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Nyunt Win Swe, and officers, other ranks and families of Yangon Station.
In his speech, the Senior General said the Tatmadaw is discharging the State’s duties in accord with the Constitution. In the past, there were incidents in which the Tatmadaw had to control the duties of the State temporarily. In 1958, the AFPFL government transferred the State’s responsibilities to the Tatmadaw in accord with the law as the former could no longer control the country. After discharging the State’s duties for 18 months, the Tatmadaw held a just and fair election and handed over the power to the party that won the election. The Tatmadaw had to assume the duties of the State in 1962 because of the internal instability that led to national disintegration. It formed the Revolutionary Council, issued laws and orders and governed the country. In 1974, the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma was established. As the socialist system had advantages as well as weaknesses, the nation faced hardships due to economic impacts and strained international relations. So, the 1988 crisis broke out, and the then government in the office collapsed. So, the Tatmadaw had to restore the national condition and administered the country as a Tatmadaw government as there broke out disturbances.
The Tatmadaw government introduced reforms for a civilian administration in advance to proceed on the path to a multiparty democracy system, aspired by the people. The Tatmadaw rendered a helping hand in the transition to multiparty democracy. It gained rapid development thanks to the self-upgrading process. In 2011, the Tatmadaw transferred the State power in accord with the Constitution. As the NLD did not participate in the 2010 general election, the Political Parties Registration Law was amended in 2012. So the party could take part in the by-election. NLD won the 2015 general election. The performance of the then Union Election Commission was accepted without any complaints in the 2015 election.
There were negative impacts on matters relating to the rule of law and national security. The economy was in a downturn during the administration of NLD. Hence the public trust in it fell. Vote-rigging was found in the 2020 general election in the NLD’s attempts to win the 2020 general election amidst the deteriorating public confidence. The Tatmadaw cannot accept a government that came to power through vote-rigging. No country in this world will take vote-rigging. Further investigation revealed embezzlement of funds in addition to election frauds. Voter lists are being rechecked, and the results are being announced. Based on the scrutiny results, action will be taken only in accord with the law.
There were negative impacts on matters relating to the rule of law and national security. The economy was in a downturn during the administration of NLD. Hence the public trust in it fell. Vote-rigging was found in the 2020 general election in the NLD’s attempts to win the 2020 general election amidst the deteriorating public confidence. The Tatmadaw cannot accept a government that came to power through vote-rigging.
Beginning from 3 February, there occurred peaceful protests after the SAC assumed the duties. Because of the instigations and financial aids of internal and external organizations involved in the vote-rigging, violence, destruction or torching of factories and killing broke out after 14 February. So, martial law was declared in certain townships of the Yangon Region. Now, there are fewer disturbances, and the situation is back to normal. Instigations to cause violent riots on the social network are being dealt with in accord with the law.
The SAC did not assign only the Tatmadaw members as its members. It also appointed members of political parties and ethnic leaders. The involvement of civilians is to prevent the public-aspired democracy from deteriorating.
The Senior General and party cordially greeted officers, other ranks and families of the respective stations.—MNA
