On 3 April,
the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw elected and appointed me as the President of the State
and also appointed the Vice-Presidents. Accordingly, in accordance with the
(2008) Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, I have
scrutinized, selected, and appointed the heads and members of Union-level
organizations, as well as the Union Ministries, Union Ministers, Deputy
Ministers, and the Chief Ministers and Ministers of the Regions and States for
the Union Government. Therefore, as our new government proceeds with its
duties, I will now outline the necessary policies and the tasks that must be
implemented moving forward.
As is well
known, due to a failure to properly assess alleged electoral fraud in the 2020
multiparty democratic general election, and driven by what were considered
erroneous ideologies and interference from domestic and foreign elements, riots
and violence erupted across the country. Taking advantage of this unrest,
certain ethnic armed organizations with malicious intent further escalated the
situation, employing various means of destruction that contributed to national
instability. Despite these difficulties and challenges, Tatmadaw has made
efforts to hold elections and has sought to place the country back on the path
to democracy.
Looking back
at our history, it is widely recognized that the primary reasons for the loss
of independence, the long period of colonial rule, and the lack of stability
and peace since independence have been the weakness of national unity among
ourselves. Therefore, I would like to emphasize and urge continued efforts with
a focus on ethnic solidarity and lasting peace.
I will
personally ensure that the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) process
continues to be implemented without fail. It is essential to recognize and
accept that resolving disagreements, demands, and grievances through armed
conflict is entirely unacceptable. For the sake of the country and its people,
these mistakes must be corrected promptly to secure the nation’s future.
Instead of demanding what one “wants”, it is necessary to focus on what is
“appropriate” and to prioritize what is “achievable.” If we rebuild with unity
and solidarity, I am confident that we will reach the new nation we envision,
with stability and peace, in the very near future.
Similarly, I
would like to urge ethnic armed groups and those committing acts of violence to
carefully consider right and wrong, good and bad, and benefit and harm, and to
cooperate for the sake of the nation and its people. I also extend an
invitation to all parties to seek solutions through dialogue and negotiation,
and to work together in harmony to build a new nation with renewed strength and
unity.
On the other
hand, we are striving through various means to elevate the nation’s economy,
education, healthcare, and social sectors, and to ensure national development.
If a country’s economic strength is not robust and the nation is not wealthy,
development is impossible, and the socioeconomic lives of the people will
remain poor. The national economy is interconnected with politics, security,
and social affairs. Therefore, we need to work together to implement measures
that will transform our nation into an economically developed one. When
comparing our country’s GDP to others in the region, it is found to be very
low. The primary cause is weak productivity. It has been observed that, for a
long time, there has been a reliance on non-trade income. Therefore, we must
promote high-standard manufacturing; since exports can only be generated
through the production of export-quality goods, we must encourage and implement
quality production processes.
Our country
is based on agriculture and livestock. Therefore, we must develop agro-based
industries rooted in these sectors.
In this
regard, some critics question why we are not transitioning into an industrial
nation in this modern era. However, over 70 per cent of Myanmar’s population
resides in rural areas, and approximately 50 per cent are employed in
agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and forestry. Women make up 53 per cent of
the nation’s population, and according to educational surveys, those living in
rural areas face certain disadvantages. Furthermore, World Bank reports
indicate that the poverty rate in Myanmar stands at 31 per cent. Therefore, we
must inevitably work towards boosting the rural economy.
Throughout
our tenure, we have encouraged and promoted micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) based on agriculture and livestock, organizing regional and
national-level exhibitions and competitions annually. As a result, MSME
businesses have flourished and achieved success over the five-year term. Since
a solid foundation has now been established, I urge you to work towards
achieving continuous and accelerated growth during the term of the new
government. To facilitate this, the Ministry of Industry has been reorganized
under the new government as the Ministry of Industry and MSME Development.
Therefore, I would like to urge you to promote the MSME sector in all respects.
It is
essential to cultivate paddy, which is vital for food security, across all
farmland to achieve target yields. I urge you to strive not only to ensure
domestic self-sufficiency but also to regain our former status as a major rice
exporter in the region. Similarly, I encourage you to work with the ambition
that “the era of Myanmar Pawsan rice must rise again”. Another key priority is
to expand the cultivation of oilseed crops such as groundnut, sesame, soybean
and sunflower to achieve domestic edible oil sufficiency.
Therefore,
it is necessary to effectively promote the cultivation of soybean, sunflower
and sesame, as these crops can make a significant contribution among oilseed
varieties. In the cultivation of sesame and sunflower, the simultaneous
practice of beekeeping to support pollination can improve pollination rates and
increase yields. At the same time, this would enable honey production and
provide additional benefits to farmers; therefore, I urge you to adopt
beekeeping as a complementary activity.
Furthermore,
it is necessary to expand the cultivation of industrial raw material crops such
as rubber, cotton and bamboo. If we can produce high-quality rubber
domestically, it will increase foreign exchange earnings and help meet the
demand for a wide range of domestic consumer goods. We should also manufacture
finished rubber-based products such as motorcycle tyres, bicycle tyres and
tubes, rubber boots, and other consumer items. Similarly, the cotton-based
industry is one of the most reliable and promising sectors in our country.
Given that there are approximately 524,000 acres of cotton plantations, I would
like to emphasize that, by effectively cultivating high-quality long-staple
cotton and promoting cotton-based industries such as raw cotton, yarn and
textiles, substantial benefits can be achieved.
Likewise, it
is necessary to focus on bamboo-based industries. It is estimated that Myanmar
can produce and utilize over 300 million bamboo stalks annually. Between
200,000 and 400,000 tonnes of various types of paper are imported each year,
and with over two million tonnes imported between 2018 and 2025, more than US$2
billion have been spent. Therefore, it is essential to make effective use of
bamboo grown in Myanmar, which is a primary raw material for paper production.
Bamboo is not only useful for basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter,
but can also be used to produce industrial raw materials such as pulp and
bamboo fibre. At the very least, we must work towards domestic pulp production.
Similarly, there is a large global market for coffee. In general, both highland
coffee (Arabica) and lowland coffee (Robusta) grow well across Myanmar.
Therefore, we should promote coffee cultivation in both lowland and highland
regions, according to the varieties best suited to each area.
To elevate
the agricultural sector, it is essential to strengthen the key inputs – namely
seeds, soil, water and technology – and to transition towards scientific and
mechanized farming systems. At present, some countries have already integrated
AI into their agricultural practices. Therefore, only by moving from
traditional methods to systematic and mechanized farming can we boost domestic
productivity. To achieve this, we are promoting the innovation and manufacture
of locally produced agricultural machinery through MSMEs. To support mechanized
farming, it is necessary to restart domestic factories that have been suspended
for various reasons, and to encourage the expansion of production in both
state-owned and private factories. In line with the motto, “Let us promote
production to make the nation prosperous,” I urge you to work towards
comprehensive development across all economic sectors.
As mentioned
earlier, because we are not producing to our full capacity or in line with our
potential, there is currently an imbalance between supply and demand.
Consequently, the need to import a large proportion of goods has contributed to
higher commodity prices. Similarly, in the livestock sector, including layers,
broilers and commercial pig farming, it is evident that the ratio between
current livestock numbers and the size of the consuming population remains
disproportionate.
Regarding
animal feed, raw materials such as bran, broken rice and maize are produced in
abundance across the country, and there is significant potential to manufacture
feed from other inputs such as bean cake, sesame cake and fishmeal. If we
import only the necessary veterinary medicines and additives, and utilize
domestic resources for the remaining inputs, this approach will be both
beneficial and effective.
Since
agriculture and livestock rearing are fundamental to all citizens and pivotal
to the national economy, I would like to emphasize that the points I have
mentioned should be effectively implemented in practice. The reason our goals
have not yet been fully achieved, and why shortcomings remain, is that
approximately 70 per cent of the population living in rural areas has not been
able to carry out agriculture and livestock rearing systematically and
comprehensively. Furthermore, the remaining 30 per cent of the population
living in urban areas has not provided sufficient support to production
sectors. Therefore, under the new government, I wish to emphasize the need to
analyze these issues, develop agricultural and livestock experts and
professionals, and supervise their work closely to ensure practical success and
effectiveness.
To achieve
economic development and ensure the well-being of our citizens in meeting their
basic needs, it is essential to have adequate infrastructure, including
reliable transport, access to electricity, and a supply of clean water. The
electricity sector is fundamental to both national development and economic
growth. Therefore, we must prioritize strengthening the electricity sector,
which remains underdeveloped in our country.
To ensure
access to electricity, it is also necessary to implement solar power systems
that are suitable for our country. While solar systems have been successfully
adopted in many countries, they remain significantly underdeveloped in ours. In
the central part of our country, we receive full sunlight for approximately 300
days a year. Even in the high-rainfall regions of Lower Myanmar, we receive
sunlight for about 250 days. Therefore, if we can transition to using solar
power systems for applications ranging from household use to commercial
enterprises, industrial operations, and river-water pumping for agriculture, it
would greatly supplement our power requirements. Additionally, this would
reduce the demand for imported fuel used in generators, thereby helping us save
foreign currency expenditure.
Likewise, it
is necessary to enhance the transport sector to ensure convenient travel for
the public and facilitate the smooth and efficient movement of goods. Only then
can logistics be streamlined and rising commodity prices reduced. Under current
circumstances, it is essential to adhere to established policies and
regulations regarding the conservation of fuel and petroleum, an issue faced
both internationally and within our own country. I would like to urge an
increase in the use of rail transport for both passengers and freight, as well
as arrangements to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) as alternatives
to vehicles running on petrol and diesel.
In the
transport sector, it is essential to upgrade the railway system, as it enables
large-scale capacity and the rapid, cost-effective movement of goods and
passengers. It is necessary to improve the tracks while also modernizing
locomotives and rolling stock. We must prioritize the domestic production of
these locomotives and carriages. By transitioning from current fuel-powered
locomotives – an effort already underway – to battery-powered alternatives, we
can reduce fuel consumption, minimize environmental impact, and improve overall
speed and efficiency. Therefore, I would like to urge efforts to strengthen the
railway sector for both passenger and freight transport, ensuring it becomes
more efficient, beneficial, and a reliable service for the public.
To build our
country into a developed democratic Union, we require a large number of capable
and highly skilled human resources, including intellectuals and technical
experts. A nation cannot be built without a strong foundation of education and
knowledge. Therefore, as is well known, throughout our tenure, we have worked
to develop the education sector in a comprehensive manner. Since the promotion
of education is not a short-term task but a continuous process, I would like to
urge you to remain consistently and steadfastly focused on this effort.
At one time,
our country’s education system met international standards. However, as the
education sector subsequently declined, we are now working to restore and
enhance it. Young people are the future of the nation, its strength, and those
who will build the country. Therefore, we must promote the youth sector.
Strengthening this sector requires generational progress and change, which
takes time. This is why it is essential to establish a systematic and solid
foundation from the outset.
In promoting
education, merely being literate, passing grade levels, obtaining a degree, or
becoming a subject matter expert is not sufficient. However, literacy and
formal education are fundamental requirements. Furthermore, one can only be
truly regarded as “educated” when they possess the wisdom appropriate to their
age and status – particularly in terms of mindset, outlook, critical thinking,
and rationality. In other words, one must be proficient in both technical
skills and intellectual wisdom.
To promote
education, it is necessary to ensure that every school-aged child attends
school, that dropout rates are reduced, and that students complete their
studies. If educational standards are low, critical thinking and practical
performance will likewise remain substandard. Therefore, I have established and
am implementing a policy to ensure that everyone can study up to at least KG+9
level within the basic education sector. I urge parents, teachers, responsible
officials and all citizens to understand and support this policy, and to work
together for its successful implementation. If there are difficulties in
pursuing higher education for various reasons, vocational high schools offering
subjects such as mechanics, agriculture and livestock rearing have been
established to support the agro-based industry. Thus, students will be able to
acquire vocational skills at the secondary education level.
If we ensure
that everyone is required to study up to KG+9 level, the number of students in
schools will naturally increase. Accordingly, we must expand classrooms to meet
demand based on student enrolment and appoint a sufficient number of teachers.
I would like to emphasize that, for students to be happy at school and excel in
their studies, school facilities must be well-maintained and in good condition,
and teachers must possess high-quality teaching skills.
What we are
seeing in the country today is that the majority of people have a limited
understanding of existing laws or fail to respect them, resulting in a
weakening of the rule of law. Only when all citizens know and follow the law
can we achieve a disciplined, peaceful and prosperous society. Education and
awareness of respect for the law must begin during school years. When education
is weak, compliance with the law and the rule of law also tends to decline. For
this reason, basic legal principles are being taught at the secondary education
level in basic education schools, and we have expanded programmes to offer
Bachelor of Arts (Law) degrees at various state and regional universities.
Consequently, we can see that the rule of law has improved to some extent under
current conditions. I would like to urge continued efforts to further
strengthen its effectiveness during the term of the incoming government.
Regarding
education, I would like to further emphasise that children who attend preschool
before starting primary school are found to have a stronger foundation. While
every preschool child eventually enters primary school, not every primary
school pupil has had the opportunity to attend preschool. The key difference is
that children with a preschool background tend to be more motivated to learn
from the primary level onwards. Therefore, the relevant ministries must
prioritise early childhood development in preschools. I would like to instruct
you to focus on establishing effective preschools and prioritising Early
Childhood Care and Development (ECCD). In line with the motto, “Let us
encourage education for the nation’s development,” I urge you to work towards
the comprehensive development of the entire education sector.
Along with
education, we must also promote the healthcare sector. With the conviction that
“nothing is more important than human life”, we have provided comprehensive
support to upgrade the healthcare sector throughout our tenure, and we will
continue to do so. No matter how educated or brilliant a person may be, if they
are in poor health or physically impaired, they will not be able to work or
contribute effectively. Therefore, I would like to instruct you to prioritize
ensuring that all citizens are both mentally and physically healthy and fit.
In tandem
with this, I would like to emphasize the promotion of the sports sector, which
is closely linked to healthcare. It is necessary to revitalise our sports
sector, which has been in decline in international competitions. Since sports
range from general physical activity to the study and practice of a specific
discipline one is passionate about, they greatly support health while also
fostering discipline and morale. In line with the motto, “Promoting sports is
defending the nation,” many countries encourage sports to enhance their
national prestige. Likewise, I would like to instruct you to work towards the
development and progress of our sports sector.
What I would
like to further instruct is that we must prioritize environmental conservation,
the cleanliness and beauty of rural areas, and the systematic development of
urban centres. To achieve this, City Development Committees have been
established in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay, and Ministries of Development
Affairs have already been formed in other regions and states. It is necessary
to implement systematic town planning to ensure that cities and villages are
easy to administer, clean and beautiful. Furthermore, we must systematically
develop parks, sports fields and recreational areas where the public can rest,
relax and engage in physical exercise.
As you are
all aware, the world is currently warming and experiencing various natural
disasters. Due to deforestation, we are suffering from extreme heat, and in
some towns in Central Myanmar, temperatures have already risen so sharply that
the elderly are being significantly affected. Therefore, it is necessary to
establish cooling centres to provide immediate protection against the current
heat. For the long term, I would like to instruct you to prioritise
environmental conservation and tree planting in accordance with the motto: “Let
us conserve the environment for the nation’s prosperity.”
At this
moment, in accordance with the will of the people, we have returned to the path
that the public desires. We have begun writing a new chapter in democracy – or,
to put it another way, we are starting to draft its “second chapter”.
Therefore, I would like to instruct that we work towards the national interest
through coordination and consultation among the legislative, executive and
judicial branches. We must resolve all future challenges through discussion and
negotiation, working together in unity. As the saying goes, “A good start
ensures a good end”; I urge everyone to act with restraint and care to ensure
that we do not experience a reversal of progress as we did in the past.
I have
formed the government under my leadership by selecting experienced individuals
– those who are capable of prioritising the interests of the State and the
people, and who possess genuine executive ability – with full trust and
confidence. Learning from experience, we must strive to ensure “clean
government and good governance”. We will work to achieve our objectives through
cooperation between sector-specific Union Ministries at the central level and
the regional and state governments. I would also like to instruct you to strive
to the best of your physical and intellectual abilities to meet the needs of
the people and the nation’s development, ensuring that there are no lapses or
weaknesses, while fully adhering to legal procedures and regulations.
In the
judicial sector, which is another major pillar, it is necessary to adjudicate
cases accurately, correctly and swiftly, while acting with impartiality and
strict adherence to the law. It is essential to impose appropriate sentences on
those found guilty, while also ensuring that citizens receive the legal
protection they rightfully deserve. I would like to instruct you to strive to
make our court institutions that the public can rely on, and our judges
individuals whom the people trust and respect. It is also necessary to ensure
that all citizens enjoy equal rights before the law and to build a judicial
pillar that is upright, honest and steadfast.
Another
point is the need to ensure freedom from corruption. Corruption significantly
hinders the development of the nation and undermines the character and morale
of individuals. We must take preventive measures to ensure that malpractice
does not become gradually entrenched, starting from the excuse of “drinking
bitter water because everyone else is” and leading to widespread corruption.
The key is for everyone, including members of the government, civil servants,
entrepreneurs and all ethnic groups, to have the right mindset and good
intentions. I would like to urge and instruct you to strive towards
transforming and improving these mindsets.
In
accordance with the oath we have taken before the Union Parliament, we must
remain loyal and faithful to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and its
citizens. We must always uphold “Our Three National Causes”: non-disintegration
of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuation of
sovereignty. I would like to solemnly instruct that it is essential to
prioritize the interests of the State and the people, to abide by and safeguard
the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and to carry out your
duties with honesty and integrity.
We must
gradually build the democratic transition process upon a solid and strong
foundation. By taking lessons from the experiences of the past, I would like to
urge and instruct all of us to work together in unison to continue successfully
building a robust democratic nation with minimal flaws and weaknesses.
In
conclusion:
– As members
of our government, please fulfil the duties entrusted to you by the State and
the people faithfully and dutifully.
– Prioritize
the development of the nation and the socioeconomic advancement of its
citizens.
– Study and
analyze the lessons learned from the past to serve the interests of the country
and the people effectively, swiftly, and correctly.
– Coordinate
between the Union level and the various Regions and States to collaborate on
the progress of all sectors, including politics, economy, education, and social
affairs.
– In
accordance with the will of the public, let us work together with a shared
spirit to realize a new, modern, and developed democratic nation, adhering to
our established objectives and goals.
With these
exhortations, I conclude. Thank you all.
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
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