State Security and Peace Commission Vice-Chairman, Defence Services Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win yesterday met members of the Kachin State government, departmental officials, town elders, Rectors, Pro-rectors, teachers, staff, and students of Myitkyina University, the Education Degree College, and the Polytechnic University at designated locations, where he delivered a speech.
Yesterday
afternoon, he met members of the Kachin State government and departmental
officials at the Kachin State Government Office meeting hall and delivered a
speech.
The
meeting was attended by Daw Dwe Bu, a member of the Advisory Body of the
National Defence and Security Council, Kachin State Chief Minister U Khet Htein
Nan, senior military officials from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the
Northern Command Commander, deputy ministers, state government ministers,
departmental officials from districts and townships, ethnic traditional
cultural groups, religious associations, and township leaders.
During
the meeting, the Kachin State chief minister briefed attendees on the state’s
current situation, progress in regional development, implementation of
agricultural and livestock activities, projects undertaken during the financial
year, foreign exchange earnings from agricultural products, loans extended to
farmers and business owners from the State Economic Development Fund, progress
in MSME activities, preparations for the successful conduct of the multi-party
democratic general election, and the implementation status of the Head of
State’s directives.
State
Security and Peace Commission Vice-Chairman, Defence Services Deputy
Commander-in-Chief, and Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win
addressed the development of Kachin State, emphasizing coordination in line
with the Head of State’s instructions. He noted that since assuming
responsibility on February 1, 2021, some civil servants left due to threats and
coercion, while loyal officials continued their duties.
Vice-Senior
General Soe Win outlined the schedule for the upcoming multiparty general
election: the first part on 28 December 2025, the second on 11 January 2026,
and the third two weeks later. He highlighted that elections are essential to
form a new government and transfer state power. To ensure a free and fair vote,
the Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine (MEVM), based on the Direct Recording
Electronic (DRE) system, will be used. Developed locally and certified by the
National Certification Committee and the Myanmar Standard Mark, the system has
been proven effective in countries such as India, Bhutan, Iran, Brazil, and
others.
He
stressed the importance of voter participation, regional peace, and cooperation
with officials. Voters are encouraged to select candidates with the knowledge,
morality, and leadership skills necessary to serve the region effectively and
uphold political, administrative, economic, and security responsibilities.
Vice-Senior
General Soe Win highlighted the importance of agriculture and livestock for the
national economy, emphasizing the need for accurate statistics, dedicated
employees, and awareness-raising activities by officials. He urged MSMEs to
focus on producing and exporting new agricultural and livestock-based products
rather than limiting sales to local markets.
He
also stressed that electricity is essential for agricultural production and
industrial development. Hydropower, being the most cost-effective source at K82
per unit compared to K171 for solar, K235 for natural gas, and K215 for coal,
should be prioritized. He specifically called for the review, discussion, and
implementation of the Myitsone Hydropower Project on the Ayeyawady River to
generate electricity in Kachin State.
The
Vice-Chairman of the Commission said national economic policies on investment,
finance, and trade require a strong base of educated human resources, making
the promotion of education essential for development. Citing the 2014
Population and Housing Census, he noted that the country’s population exceeds
51 million, with 66.9 per cent in the working-age group (between 15 and 64
years old), up from 54.8 per cent in 1973, reflecting urban migration and
expanding job opportunities. He added that 66.9 per cent of the working-age
population is educated, underscoring the need for greater investment in
education to support long-term socioeconomic growth and attract foreign
investment.
Since
taking office, the Head of State has expanded and upgraded universities and
colleges, increased funding for basic education, and strengthened support for
teachers. Literacy at the Union level stands at 92.1 per cent among more than
22 million people. However, school attendance declines sharply after age 14,
falling to 43.3 per cent among those aged 15-19 and 15 per cent among those
aged 20-24, with only 1.6 per cent of adults having attended university or college.
To address this, 89 technical high schools have been opened in 88 districts,
and he called for cooperation among the government, parents, students, and
communities to overcome barriers such as school fees, lack of interest, and
disabilities and to improve grade transition rates.
Then,
town elder U A Phu highlighted the need for adequate fertilizer, repaired
waterways to prevent flooding, and support for overall agricultural
development. U La Mai Gwan Ja requested clarification on the benefits and
guarantees that the Myitsone Hydroelectric Project would provide for local
communities, village leaders, and religious organizations. Deputy Minister U
Aye Kyaw explained ongoing discussions with Chinese companies regarding the
project’s implementation.
Vice-Senior
General Soe Win discussed the Myitsone Hydroelectric Project, noting that it
was initiated during his tenure as regional commander but halted due to
political crises just before the final stage of dam construction. He addressed
concerns from residents and religious leaders about earthquake risks,
explaining that the dam, located 25.4 kilometres from the Sagaing fault line,
was originally designed to withstand a Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) of
7.1.
The
project includes six sites along the Maykha and Malikha rivers with a total
capacity of 19,099 MW, 6,000 MW of which is allocated to Myitsone. The selected
dam type, a Concrete Face Rock Fill Dam (CFRD), will have an installed capacity
of 5,600 MW. Seismic considerations were informed by other local dams, such as
Zaungtu and Kon, which withstood the March 28, 2025, Mandalay earthquake.
Experts from the Asia Charter Professional Engineer (ACPE) team recommend
designing the dam to withstand even stronger earthquakes.
The
project plan also includes measures to regulate the water table and prevent
annual flooding in Myitkyina. Water levels along the Ayeyawady River are
expected to reach 10 metres annually, allowing navigation from Myitkyina to the
Ayeyawady Region, while sediments from the riverbed will serve as natural
fertilizer for farmers along the river.
If
the project is successful, it will benefit both the country and Kachin State by
increasing productivity, providing electricity, and enabling year-round use of
the waterway. The local ethnic communities, association officials, and village
elders who attended expressed their pleasure and appreciation for the
initiative.
Vice-Senior
General Soe Win presented awards and honours to 15 ethnic traditional cultural
organizations and five religious organizations, with officials receiving them
on their behalf. He also greeted attendees and toured MSME exhibitions
showcasing local agricultural and livestock products, food items, traditional
clothing, accessories, and handicrafts made from amber, gemstones, and bamboo.
In
the evening, Vice-Senior General Soe Win held a meeting with Rectors,
Pro-rectors staff, and students of Myitkyina University, the Degree College of
Education, and the Polytechnic University, emphasizing the role of youth as
future national leaders. He cited education data from the 2014 census, noting a
population of over 51 million, a literacy rate of 92.11 per cent, and that 66.9
per cent of the population is aged 15 to 64. While school enrollment stands at
about 90 per cent, with a net enrolment rate of 94.8 per cent, he highlighted
weaknesses in grade transition, as only 15 per cent of those aged 20 to 24 are
at the university level. He called for cooperation among the government,
parents, communities, and students to address challenges such as school fees
and access to education, stressing continued support for the education sector
and the responsibility of youth to contribute to national development.
Vice-Senior
General Soe Win also met university officials to review institutional needs,
coordinated necessary measures, and presented awards to schools. He then
visited Myitkyina Public Hospital to meet patients, assess medical conditions,
encourage health workers, and present food and cash gifts. He also paid
religious visits to Dhammarakkhita Wantho Monastery and the Kachin Baptist
Church, where he met religious leaders, made offerings and donations, exchanged
Christmas gifts, and conveyed greetings and thanks.
MNA/TH
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
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