Keep Moving Forward: Speech on 18-month State Duties discharged by the SAC

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered speech on Monday on the occasion of the Eighteenth Month of the Assumption of State Duties by the SAC “Keep Moving Forward to Achieve Our Goal”.

In his speech, the Senior General said that in accordance with Section 425 of the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the term of the State Administration Council has been extended by six more months.

The Senior General shared the information on the political and security measures taken by the government, the initiatives in the social arena, the implementation of two national visions and two economic visions and the future plans.

In regard with political and security measures, he said that peace and tranquility at home are important for the development of the country. Tatmadaw has issued ceasefire statements 21 times from 20th December 2018 up to the end of 2022.

Over the past 18 months, he met personally with ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) nine times, and the negotiation committee met with EAOs, political parties and peace-seeking organizations 75 times for the purpose of securing peace and for the best interests of the country and every region.

The government declared 2022 as the year as peace, consequently, to move forward pragmatically with the peace process. He invited the leaders of ethnic armed organizations for peace talks on 22nd April 2022. Among the NCA signatories, seven ethnic armed organizations and three NCA non-signatories-a total of 10 groups-responded positively.

They have held discussions on peace with nine organizations and will hold talks with the remaining organization soon and will meet a second time with the organizations that they have already met in the first round.

The Senior General also added that the illegal committee, parallel government and terrorist organizations are working against the government formed under the Constitution and are using the ways and means to destroy the security, peace and stability of the country.

Over the past 18 months, from 1st February 2021 to 23rd July 2022, there were 7,246 attacks carried out with bombs/ grenades/mines; 6,567 assaults and murders, and 1,094 arson attacks, altogether a total of 14,907 violent incidents across the country.

These incidents left a death toll of 3,483 monks, nuns, public service personnel, administrative officials, children and innocent people, injured 3,065 people and resulted in 41 missing persons. There were 4,026 violent incidents in Sagaing Region, 2,442 incidents in Yangon Region, 2,194 incidents in Mandalay, and 1,395 incidents in Magway Region.

Regarding the economy, he said that the National Fund for Natural Disaster Management fund is being used for COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment guided by the COVID-19 National Central Committee. Of the remaining fund of 491.18 billion kyats, 400 billion kyats has been set up as a separate fund for the economic development of the nation.

From February 2021 to May 2022, during the period of their government, the trade surplus reached 1.14 billion USD. Priority is being given to export of finished goods rather than raw materials to foreign countries which will earn income of the State.

Concerning education sector, he reiterated that with COVID-19 coming under control and stability being restored in the 2021-2022 academic year, a total of 39,242 basic education schools were opened, and 4,225,887 students enrolled.

A total of 281,751 students sat for the matriculation examination in March 2022 and 123,877 students passed this examination, accounting for 46.88 percent. COVID-19 was found on 23 March 2020 in Myanmar, and there were 614,083 patients with positive results until 30 July 2020.

COVID-19 vaccination has been administered to over 35.9 million people up to 23 July 2022. The country has obtained more than 76 million doses of vaccines including donated ones. So far, Myanmar has produced 4,091,0525 doses of vaccines locally.

The Senior General also explained the government’s efforts for eradication of narcotic drugs, preserving culture heritage, sports sector development, implementation of Pan Khin project for issuing citizenship scrutiny cards, In his conclusion the Senior General said that in line with the theme, “Keep Moving Forward to Achieve Our Goal”, the government will built a better nation and improver socio-economic lives to serve the interests of the State and ethnic people.