Nay Pyi Taw January 20
Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission Commander-in-Chief of De-fence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, inspected security measures taken at Eastern Central Command HQ area this morning, and met with officers, other ranks and families of Kolam Station.
Measures taken to ensure regional peace, stability, security and rule of law inspected
At the meeting hall of the command HQ, Commander Maj-Gen Soe Myat Htut reported on points of the military command and its military operations and measures taken for area safety, domination and organization, anti-online scam operations, drug seizures and counternarcotic operations, progress in destroying of poppy fields, anti-illicit trade operations, provision of public healthcare, manageable farming of the command and distribution of fish, meat and eggs to officers, other ranks and families and local people at fair prices, ongoing welfare undertakings, suc-cessful holding of the phases-1 and 2 of the 2025 multi-party democracy general election and preparations for the success of the phase- 3 at the designated townships.
In response, the Senior General instructed to systematically carry out operations to ensure peace, stability, security and rule of law in the command area. He said since in the previous times, there were usual intrusions of some EAOs and engagements in the command area. At present, there are also online scam, online gambling and drug production in the area. Hence, online scam, online gambling and drug production must be rooted out as a national task.The command must continue its anti-poppy growing activities systematically and register the annual destruction of the poppy fields, while helping develop the socio-economic life of the local national races, increase the number of educated persons, and improve the knowledge level of the locals from the relevant sector. Improvement in general and intellectual knowledge will be more supportive of developing socio-economic life. As soldiers are the persons who are carrying out national defence-duties, they must strive to in still Union spirit and patriotism in the minds of local nationalities and to vitalize nationalistic fervour. They must also consolidate internal solidarity and the unity between the military and the people in the respective organizing zones in all seriousness and carry out welfare for soldiers and families. He then looked into the requirements of other sectors.
Speech given at meeting
Afterwards, Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior Gen-eral Min Aung Hlaing met with officers, other ranks and families of Kolam Station at Aung Zeya Hall of the command.
Also present were SSPC Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Htein Win, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung, and senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief.
Shoulder national defence and security duties well
In his speech, the Senior General said multiple national races are living in the command area, which is a geographically important part of the country. As the Tatmadaw is discharging national defence and security duties, the relevant commanders must also uplift the capabilities of their units and soldiers through a constant monitoring process. The Tatmadaw has been shouldering the national defence and security duties; while keeping in the fore Our Three Main National Causes throughout the successive eras beginning from the time the country regained independence despite the changes in the governments. Hence, continuous efforts must be made to carry out national defence and security duties, the main task of the Tatmadaw, dutifully.
Based on basic military principles, personnel must dutifully carry out their assigned tasks in a manner consistent with local conditions and the contemporary era. To fulfill national defence and security duties, units must possess high capability and strength. While national defence primarily refers to protection against foreign aggression, Tatmadaw has had to suppress internal armed conflicts due to national requirements, as well as past foreign threats such as the Kuomintang invasions and the Kalarsoe insurgents. Tatmadaw also had to fight and suppress internal armed insurgents, including the Communist Party of Burma (CPB). Although Tatmadaw was small in strength at that time, it carried out counter-insurgency operations through systematic orga-nization. These operations were conducted under the principles of “training while fighting, fighting while training” and “organizing while fighting, fighting while organizing.”
Afterwards, he stated that Tatmadaw was expanded, and leaders strived to build a modern military for national defence. The capabilities and prowess of individual units and each personnel must be enhanced to fulfill national defence duties. It is necessary to train individuals to become capable personnel. Each soldier must possess physical fitness, courage, and proficiency. Only when physically and mentally fit and strong can one perform arduous tasks. Similarly, only with courage will there be a will to fight, so it is necessary to train and cultivate bravery. To be proficient, one must be skilled in the military arts and tactics taught, and must also be adept at using the weapons and equipment assigned to their respective duties while serving on the battlefield. To ensure these three qualities are met, commanders must correctly carry out daily routine duties. Doing so is, in fact, conducting training activities. If duties are performed correctly, they will become highly qualified members of Tatmadaw.
To ensure free and fair elections, and to ensure an election with dignity
Regarding the 2025 multi-party democratic general election, Phase- 1 and Phase- 2 have been successfully conducted, and Phase- 3 will be held within a few days. Tatmadaw is striving to ensure the State stands firmly on the path of multi-party democracy. In holding the election, preparatory measures—including the 2024 population and housing census—were carried out with great emphasis to ensure a free and fair election, accurate voter lists, and an election with dignity. The formation and registration of political parties have been carried out in accordance with the law since 2023. Parties have received sufficient time for membership recruitment and organizational building. The election is being held according to democratic methods, and parties must compete in accordance with regional regulations. There are major parties with nation-wide coverage, as well as regional parties and independent candidates. The results of the completed Phase- 1 and 2 elections have been transparently announced with detailed statistics.
In the coming month of March, the Hluttaw will be convened, and state responsibilities will be handed over to the winning government in accordance with procedures.
Regardless of how successive governments change in the State, Tatmadaw remains a firm institution that will continue to fulfill national defence and security duties. During the two terms of democratic government, Tatmadaw collaboarated harmoniously with the elected governments for the benefit of the State and remains an institution that performs its duties with discipline.
To build a strong and capable Tatmadaw
As full capability is essential in fulfilling national defence duties, the State is providing the necessary support and facilities to build a capable army. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure that all Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) units keep pace with changing times. As military technology and equipment are evolving daily, systematic and effective training must also be carried out to develop capable Tatmadaw personnel.
To build a strong and capable Tatmadaw, it is essential that every Tatmadaw member pos-sesses the appropriate know-ledge and skills corresponding to their respective levels. Those serving in leadership roles must have a sound understanding of national affairs, international issues and ethnic matters, and therefore need to continuously study and improve themselves. In order to create a capable Tatmadaw, the education of all Tatmadaw members has been steadily enhanced. Modern warfare requires well-educated soldiers who are able to effectively operate advanced military equipment. For this reason, we are making efforts for all military personnel to further improve their education. Courses are being offered at higher education institutions to enable Tatmadaw members to acquire the skills and qualifications necessary to advance to higher levels. Just as skills must be taught in order to be mastered, knowledge must be gained through reading and learning. Only through education and skills can one become a capable individual, and only through knowledge can one become a truly good person.
When we look back at the conflicts that have occurred in our country, it can be seen that they have largely stemmed from weaknesses in individual education. Insufficient education leads to a lack of discipline and critical thinking, as well as an inability to clearly distinguish between politics and national affairs, which in turn gives rise to conflict driven by intrigue and incitement. Observations show that those with higher levels of education, having received pro-per guidance from teachers and undergone disciplined learning, are generally well-disciplined individuals. Discipline is the backbone of the military and is essential for maintaining strong morale. Only those who possess both discipline and morale are able to successfully accomplish their duties and achieve their objectives. Therefore, it is essential to strictly enforce discipline within the military and among all military personnel.
When the government ass-umed its national responsibilities, the country faced a high trade deficit. Through efforts to strengthen domestic production, the trade deficit has been reduced. Nevertheless, further efforts are still required to achieve sustained economic growth. Military personnel sho-uld also make collective efforts to contribute to the develop-
ment of the country’s key economic sectors, particularly agriculture and livestock. Due to the failure to fully meet goals and targets in the agricultural sector, the country is losing approximately US$-8 billion each year. If these objectives can be achieved, national production will increase and the overall economy will grow. To accomplish this, skilled human resources are essential, and therefore strong support for education is necessary.
Throughout the five-year term of our government, we confronted and overcame multiple challenges, including internal armed conflicts, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and achieved progress in strengthening the country’s economy.
A nation must possess a strong
Tatmadaw to ensure its defence. Without a strong Tatmadaw, the country would be vulnerable to foreign interference. Therefore, continuous efforts must be made to build a capable and powerful Tatmadaw. As Tatmadaw members come from various ethnic backgrounds, it is essential for them to live and serve in unity. Moreover, given the geographical position of our country, all ethnic groups born in the Union must remain united, and national defence must be strengthened through this unity. While carrying out national defence and security duties, all military personnel are encouraged to broaden their knowledge and understanding by reading books and following domestic and international news. In addition, officers and other ranks are urged to become dependable members of the Tatmadaw upon whom both the State and the people can rely, and the Senior General inquired about the needs of the officers and other ranks.
The Senior General presented food items to the officers, other ranks, and their families at the station, which were received by the commander.
After the meeting, the Senior General and members warmly greeted the families of officers and other ranks who were in attendance.
