December
15, 2017
Following
is the message sent by the President on the 43rd Anniversary Rakhine State Day.
Dear
esteemed ethnic brothers and sisters living in Rakhine State,
On
the occasion of the 43rd Anniversary celebrations of Rakhine State Day, I send
my greetings and good wishes for good fortune and auspiciousness of all union
citizens living in Rakhine State.
After
Rakhine State has been designated in the 1974 Constitution, the 15th of
December which was the day on which a referendum was process was begun for the
purpose of approving the Constitution. This day was designated as Rakhine State
Day and beginning from 1975 we have been celebrating Rakhine State Day every
year and today we celebrate the 43rd anniversary.
In
Rakhine State all, along the west lies the long and beautiful coastal region;
in the east lies the Rakhine Yoma mountain range; and in the north lie the wide
expanse of fertile agricultural land. Because of this due to being blessed with
good geographic location and rich soil, it has a bounteous supply of rice,
water, meat, fish and natural minerals. Not only this, Rakhine State has many
priceless ancient cultural sites.
After
the Union Government took over the responsibilities of government, with view to
promoting peace and development in Rakhine State, the Union Government has been
striving hard by establishing the Rakhine State Peace and Development Council
and forming four working committees. In the same way we have been working on
the Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone, which is very important for Rakhine State
development, by taking due note of the wishes of the local people, and making
careful assessments regarding environmental concerns and socio-economic needs
by establishing a Management Committee.
We
are also implementing the Kanyin Kyaung Economic Zone in Maungtaw, which is
very important not only for the economic development of Rakhine State but which
can also help towards peace in the region and is also very important of
internal and external trade of Maungtaw region.
In
addition, for improving transportation in the Rakhine State, we are also
working with special emphasis on the Kaladan River Basin Project, as this State
is blessed with many rivers.
We
had to face and suffer the terrorist attacks beginning from 9 October 2016 and
also the ARSA terrorist attacks on 25 August 2017 in Maungtaw region of Rakhine
State. Due to these events, a great deal of people living in villages in those
areas had to leave their villages and people of Islamic faith went over to
Bangladesh. Because of these people who had to leave their homes we established
the Rakhine State Advisory Commission and the Maungtaw Region Investigation
Commission. Also, to implement the recommendations of these two bodies relating
to Rakhine State, a Committee had been formed and this committee is now
carrying out its duties by making projects.
Also,
the UEHRD – Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Relief and
Resettlement in Rakhine Committee of four members was established with State
Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as Chairperson. This committee has begun
operations. This UEHRD committee has been doing its work by tapping on the
strength of Union citizens, their help and their trust. It is working to
provide effective humanitarian assistance, to cooperate in the relief and
rehabilitation efforts, to promote regional development and with a view to
eradicating conflicts in the long term. Governments from other States/Regions
have also joined in to provide as much assistance as they could by bearing in
mind that this effort is not only for the Rakhine State but for the whole
Union. In addition, youths from all parts of the Union have gone to provide
assistance to the best of their ability at the grass-roots level.
Furthermore,
due to the Mora Cyclone which hit Rakhine State on 29 May 2017, the region
suffered great losses. In this instance the Union Government and the Rakhine
State Government joined hands to conduct emergency relief operations, erect
emergency shelters, provide relief and rehabilitation, and build capacity and
capabilities to face natural disasters, to the best of their abilities. I wish
to place on record my special admiration and pride for the indomitable spirit,
strong and resolute determination and courage of the Rakhine people who have to
suffer many natural disasters due to their geographic location. In spite of all
this they have always overcome these challenges with resolute spirit and
determination.
We
are also cooperating with UNESCO to register MraukU township in Rakhine State
as a World Cultural Heritage site. This town is the place where the Buddha’s
relics have been enshrined and where Buddhism once flourished in all its glory.
In
conclusion, just as it is important to work diligently for peace, rule of law
and communities to live in harmony, it is also important to have security,
peace, modernization, progress and prosperity in the future. I send this
Message of Greetings in a spirit of friendship on this auspicious Rakhine State
Day and urge all citizens of Rakhine State to work in unity and make concerted
efforts.
Sd/-
Htin Kyaw
President
(Unofficial
Translation)
Ref;
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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