Nay Pyi Taw October 26
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing this afternoon met with officers, other ranks and families from the local military units in Homalin, Lahe and Hkamti of North-West Command.
Also present at the meetings were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Myo Moe Aung and wife, officers, other ranks and families of local military units.
First, the Senior General and party arrived at the halls of the local military units and were welcomed by officials. In his speech, the Senior General said he was glad to meet those from the local military units. Main task of the Tatmadaw is to discharge defence duty for the State. Every military unit must have high military caliber to be reliable for the people and the State. To have high military prowess, they have to take training continuously. As the military units in Homalin, Lahe and Hkamti areas have been built for many years, they must be in shape of local military units. These units must be one with the local people. The Senior General highlighted the State defence duty of the Tatmadaw.
“I said matters related to the defence yesterday. Defence does not define fighting alone but it expresses many meanings. Likewise, security is not for taking ordinary measures of protecting danger of thief and robber only. The word of security is very wide. Most of the people seem that security is duty for police to prevent acts of thieves and robbers and for preventing those who commit evil acts. Some seem it is duty to perform rule of law. Actually, meaning of security is changed later. The security consists of many kinds of sectors such as food security, cyber security, health security, communication security, weather security, environmental security and so on. Likewise, the defence sector is not only to focus on fighting but also to protect patriotic spirit and culture against encroachment.”
Then, the Senior General said that public relation is very important in discharging defence duty, so the Tatmadaw must be one with the people. The Tatmadaw can be indivisible with the people. The Senior General noted the situation of the Tatmadaw born of the people, a part of the country, to be one with the people.
“All are born of the people. The Tatmadaw is not a separate strata of the people. Among them, some families were born of local people as well as of local military units. Some families came from other areas. Some families came from military units. In the monarchical era, royal families and those in the royal palace were a separate stratum. They were royal people. We are not the same. We are born of the people and we must be indivisible with the people.”
The Senior General explained the situation on outbreak of COVID-19, saying that till this morning, there were more than 40,000 positive patients and over 1,000 dead persons in the country. The global countries face about 43 million of infected patients and some 1 million of dead persons. It is necessary to abide by guidelines and disciplines issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports for daily lifestyle for prevention of the disease. Tatmadaw factories are manufacturing and distributing the disease prevention equipment for use of Tatmadaw members free of charge and for supplying them to needy people. If individual serviceman is in good discipline, they will be lesser possible for infection of disease. So, they all must carry out cleanliness and tidiness for their environments.
COVID-19 can be worse for the people suffering from diseases. So, all need to conscientiously avoid drinking and foods not to cause hypertension, heart attack, kidney, diabetes and other diseases. They need to take physical exercises for ensuring health and fitness as well as to properly consume meat, fish and vegetables for having full nutrition. It is necessary to avoid cigarette, liquor and betel quid which can harm their health. As they are practically discharging State defence duty, it is necessary to take more care for health.
With regard to the multi-party democracy election to be held on 8 November, the Senior General said election plays a key role in a process of democracy. The Senior General urged them to elect the representatives who can give favour to the State and the people, understand legal affairs and serve the interests of the region and the State. By considering their experiences in two terms of democratic governments, all need to cast votes.
Then, the Senior General presented surgical masks, foodstuffs, books and sports equipment for officers, other ranks and families from respective military stations and Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, cash award for the maternal and child welfare association to officials.
After the meetings, the Senior General and party cordially greeted the attendee officers, other ranks and families.
