20 March 2025
Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win met with and delivered a speech to officers, other ranks and families in Kalaw Station this morning.
Also present together with the Vice-Senior General were his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Chief Minister of Shan State U Aung Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of the Eastern Command and officials, officers, other ranks and families from Kalaw Station.
First, the Vice-Senior General delivered a speech, saying a state of emergency was declared in Myanmar due to political changes as the ruling party government blatantly attempted to continue to hold power forcefully in violation of the law in the 2020 multi-party general election and the Tatmadaw had to assume the three branches of power of the State in accordance with the 2008 constitution.
Although there were riots and protests in early stages when the Tatmadaw took office, later some signatory armed organizations to the NCA joined hands with remaining ethnic armed organizations and attacked the Tatmadaw. Terrorist organizations emerged due to instigations abroad and attempted to undermine the security and stability through various ways and means. Domestic and foreign organizations and individuals who do not want to ensure the stability and development of the country are carrying out activities aiming at the collapse of the Tatmadaw and driving a wedge between the Tatmadaw and the people through various ways and means. The Tatmadaw, upholding Our Three Main National Causes for the perpetuation of the sovereignty of the country, is exerting efforts for ensuring security and stability.
Then, the Vice-Senior General continued to say that Tatmadaw personnel are required to perform any of their duties assigned to them for the perpetuation of the sovereignty of the country responsibly and to resist difficulties relentlessly as Tatmadaw personnel joined the Tatmadaw without being urged by anyone out of the desire for performing national defence and security duties.
Since taking office, the State Administration Council has implemented development tasks of the country by adopting roadmaps and objectives. The ultimate aim of the SAC is to hold a free and fair multi-party democracy general election successfully and necessary preparations including conducting the population and household census are being made. During the official state visits to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, the Chairman of the SAC made known to the world that a multi-party democracy general election would be held in December, 2025 or in January, 2026 at the earliest time.
The SAC has taken measures to ensure the rights of all eligible voters and to hold a proper general election and has been implementing the five-point roadmap in accordance with the last point of the roadmap to hold multi-party democracy general elections and undertake further work to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency. As regional stability is important for enabling representatives of political parties to launch campaigns and holding the multi-party democracy general election successfully, our Tatmadaw personnel are required to step up security measures in cooperation with partner organizations including members of the MPF, people’s militias (local) and locally organized public security and anti-terrorism teams and the people.
If a free and fair multi-party democratic general election is successfully held, a parliament composed of elected representatives, the president, state and regional chief ministers, and other levels of government will be formed. The resulting government will be able to transfer the three main branches of power of the state.
To protect the Our Three Main National Causes and fulfill the state’s defence responsibilities, it is necessary to strengthen the Tatmadaw. Therefore, the People’s Military Service Law was enacted in November 2010 and came into force on February 10, 2024. Various levels of People’s Military Service Recruitment Committees have been established, and only those who meet the specified qualifications are trained and appointed in accordance with the law. However, some recruitment committees have not followed legal procedures, leading to financial corruption and difficulties for some conscripts. These daily issues are being addressed.
Therefore, military personnel must promptly report any misconduct by recruitment committees to the relevant authorities.
Due to travel restrictions in some administrative areas, officers, soldiers, and their families in those regions may face challenges in food, clothing, shelter, transportation, education, and healthcare. Responsible officials must continuously monitor and provide timely support.
Additionally, commanding officers must manage and support their units with fairness and a good leadership spirit, ensuring that all needs are met. Strong administration and welfare will naturally boost morale. The military has already granted appropriate rights and benefits to all ranks, and it is essential to ensure that these are fully and fairly provided to achieve comfort and well-being.
Unity within and outside the Tatmadaw is crucial. Those who seek to destroy the nation are attempting to dismantle the Tatmadaw, the nation’s main pillar, through various means.
Therefore, military personnel and their families must maintain unbreakable unity and adhere strictly to the 60 military codes of conduct.
Military personnel face tough, strenuous, and demanding tasks.
They must remain physically healthy and mentally strong. No matter how committed a soldier is to national duties, physical and mental health deficiencies will hinder their ability to perform their duties effectively. Therefore, maintaining good physical and mental health is crucial. Soldiers should follow a disciplined lifestyle, engage in individual and collective training. Then, the Vice- Senior General addressed any personal concerns through coordination with responsible officials.
After the meeting, Vice-Senior General Soe Win provided foodstuffs for the officers, other ranks, and their families.
Daw Than Than Nwe, wife of the Vice-Senior General, also provided funds for the Maternal and Child Welfare Association. Responsible officials received these on behalf of the recipients.
Subsequently, Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his entourage warmly greeted the attending officers, other ranks, and their families.
Later, the Vice-Senior General and party inspected the breeding of pigs and layer chickens in local military units and provided necessary instructions to the responsible officials.
Additionally, the Vice-Senior General and wife and party visited the Hsutaungpyae Bamboo Pagoda in Kalaw this morning, offering flowers, water, oil lamps and gold foils. They also paid homage and donated alms to the presiding Sayadaw.
