Nay Pyi Taw October 28
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with officers, other ranks and families from Monywa Station of North-West Command this afternoon. Also present were the Senior General’s wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and their wives and North-West Command Commander Maj-Gen Myo Moe Aung and wife, officers, other ranks and families of Monywa Station.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said he came there to provide medical supplies for COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment to units and regiments in North-West Command area and inspect military build-up tasks. World Health Organization-WHOdeclared COVID-19 as public health emergency of international concern. COVID-19 was also regarded as an infectious disease to be reported or global pandemic. The disease is most critical among those suffering from respiratory diseases, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Myanmar saw only about a hundred cases daily in the past. But now, about thousand cases are reported daily.
News reports showed that in the first wave of the outbreak, powerful countries such as France, the US and India saw spikes in infection rates. Those smoking and drinking a lot and those with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to infections and more deaths occur among them. Till this morning, Myanmar has seen more than 47,000 COVID-19 cases and over 1,100 deaths. The whole world has seen over 43 million cases and over a million deaths. As prevention is the best, it is necessary to follow the guidelines from the Ministry of Health and Sports. Since the outbreak, the Tatmadaw has been keeping sight of it, seeking coordination and taking preparedness measures. It could have taken preventive measures effectively through disciplinary measures.
The section (7) of the 2008 Constitution stipulates that the Union practises the genuine, disciplined multi-party democratic system. In implementing the democratic system, the observance of disciplines is essential and it is important that individuals who respect laws and disciplines and will perform duties in accordance with laws and disciplines are elected to respective legislatures in the upcoming election. Only then, will the democratization be successful and the country develop. When it comes to disciplines, there are disciplines that are related to historical traditions and culture not only in Myanmar but also in other countries. It is important to take note that Myanmar is a country of Myanmar people that boasts its own culture and traditions.
In democratization and reform, it is necessary for all citizens to be educated in order to take reform measures that reflect their wisdom. The Tatmadaw always promotes the education of its personnel and their dependent offspring. A project has been implemented since the 2012-2013 academic year to enable personnel and wives who failed to get the chance to study for their education due to various reasons to continue their education. The Tatmadaw also promotes the education of the offspring of servicemen and war veterans. Ceremonies to honour outstanding students have been held since 2013 and the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services in person has presented honorary prizes to them. The Tatmadaw has arranged to send selected outstanding students on study tours abroad to have international experiences. As the Tatmadaw promotes the education enhancement by offering scholar-ships annually, personnel, their families and war veterans’ families are required to exert continued efforts for “the excellent education that everyone can take pride in”.
After the meeting, the Senior General presented surgical masks, foodstuffs, books and journals and sport equipment for officers, other ranks and families from respective stations to the commander while Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, the wife of the Senior General, presented cash rewards for the maternal and child welfare association to the wife of the commander.
Afterwards, the Senior General and wife and party warmly greeted the officers, other ranks and families who attended the ceremony.