NDSC meeting 2/2023: Emergency declaration extends next 6 months

The National Defence and Security Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar held its meeting 2/2023 at the State Administration Council Chairman’s Office in Nay Pyi Taw on July 31st.

It was attended by Pro Tem President U Myint Swe, Vice President U Henry Van Thio, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U T Khun Myat, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Union Minister for Defence General Mya Tun Oo, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, so also the SAC Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe, Joint-Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, and Union Minister for Legal Affairs and Attorney-General of the Union Dr Thida Oo.

During the extended 6 months period of taking State responsibilities by the State Administration Council, the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services clarified the requirements to be performed, ‌additional setting of 5 point Road Map and 12 objectives in accordance with the current situations. For the future work programs, the country’s prosperity and food security is to carry out quickly and effectively while building a disciplined multiparty democratic system and a Union based on democracy and federalism,  

According to the five point Road Map, priority is given to fully realizing peace, stability and rule of law throughout the Union to safeguard the socioeconomic life of the people. Currently, the CRPH, NUG and PDF and some EAOs are sabotaging to destabilize and jeopardize the country. Although the terrorists’ attacks are less than before, but the attacks staged by the PDF terrorists and some EAOs still persist due to the incitements of NUG and the support of foreign interventions.

The Commander-in-Chief also explained that the terrorist attacks targeted the education sector. In July 2023, 31 students were captured by the so-called PDF terrorists in Paletwa of Chin State and similar incident happened in Laung Lon of Taninthayi Region. In Sagaing Region, the terrorists attacked innocent students for sitting an exam in Kaw Lin and mine attacks against the students on their return ferry after sitting an exam  in Ayadaw Township. There occurred terrorist attacks to Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) aircraft while landing at Loikaw Airport, explosion of Sittaung River crossing (Nat Than Gwin) Bridge in Bago Region, explosion and attack of Kyon Eik Bridge, destroying railway line and the natural gas pipelines.

Regarding the people-centred development work that enhances socioeconomic well-being will be undertaken to ensure the country’s prosperity and food security, the Commander In Chief of Defense Services discussed the establishment of country’s economic promotion exclusive fund with 400 billion Kyats from national natural disaster management fund to promote the country’s economy and the development of MSMEs. 51 industrial, agricultural and livestock breeding vocational high schools were opened in 50 districts and plans are underway to open such schools in remaining 75 districts in 2024-2025 academic year. In order to overcome the economic downturn in 2020-2021, the country’s GDP secured 3.4% in 2022-2023 fiscal year and measures are being made to grow GDP up to 4% in 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The peace dialogue will continue in earnest with the EAOs who are willing to peace and develop the country. In his clarification on the fifth point of road map “Upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multiparty democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards”, voting fraud in the 2020 multiparty democracy general election and taking action against those responsible for the voting fraud, efforts for the holding election in the entire nation and correct voters list is being implemented.

In the explanation of General matters, the preparedness, relief and rescue efforts and rehabilitation works for the extreme severe cyclonic storm “Mocha” battered Rakhine State on 14th May, 2023.

The Commander in-Chief also explained regarding with the sector of the Hluttaw Parliament where the possible convening of parliaments and undesirable consequences.

The election undertaken by the current government will be the decisive election for the country. So, it’s important not to repeat the voting fraud, security in voting and correct voters list are paramount importance, if something weaken point emerges, the public will blame on the Tatmadaw. So, it’s not appropriate to hold the election hastily but by taking time with systematic preparations. Hence, the current government needs to taking the state responsibilities to some extent of time.

Then, the Commander in Chief shed light on two scenarios: the first one is holding the election leaving the areas with instability and armed conflict and the second one is holding the election across the nation without leaving any constituency behind. However, the bad consequences that will come out from both scenarios.

Therefore, there is a requirement to carry out the stability, law and order at the regions and states where the terrorist attacks occur with momentum. Hence, the requirement for extension of the next 6 months of emergency declaration is submitted.

Next, the Vice President U Henry Van Thio first discussed the endorsement for the clarification of the Commander in Chief of Defense Services in the discussions of the members of the National Defence and Security Council. Then, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat discussed the recommendation on the extension of next 6 months emergency declaration in line with the extensive clarification on the extension of emergency declaration period at the national Defense and security meeting (1/2023) and the remark of the State Constitutional Tribunal under the section-324 of the constitution.

Later, Deputy Commander in Chief of Defence Services Vice Senior General Soe Win discussed the impacts of terrorist attacks to the socio-economic life of the people and the nation, measures for enabling to reduce the terrorist acts due to public participation, necessary operations by the Tatmadaw to reduce terrorist acts, the need of time to carry out security matters, continuous efforts of the Tatmadaw to gain eternal peace across the nation, the need for preparation for correct voter lists, and support for extending the declared period of the state of emergency for further 6 months in accord with the State Constitution. 

After that, the Union Minister for Defence General Mya Tun Oo discussed clarifications of the Commander-in-Chief and supported the extension of declaring the State of Emergency across the nation for further 6 months in line with the Constitution. 

Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut discussed the occurrence of violent acts in the nation based on the voting frauds in 2020 General Elections, endeavours for security, peace, stability and law enforcement and supporting on extension of further 6 months for the declared period of the State of emergency across the nation in line with the State Constitution. 

After that, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe discussed efforts of the SAC government for the progress of political, economic and social affairs during the past 6 months and support on the extension of the declared period of the State of Emergency across the nation. And then, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung discussed that there are still violent acts in some places although the events have decreased, the circumstances being carried out for undermining the government's administrative mechanism in various ways and said the support on the extension of the duration of the State of Emergency. 

In the general discussion, the Commander-in-Chief clarified violent acts continuously conducted by some EAO groups and so-called PDF terrorists, efforts to overcome economic sanctions by relying on internal strength, further undertakings to achieve internal peace and future plans for the election and the nation’s peace and stability. 

After that, Pro Tem President U Myint Swe said that the SAC Chairman widely explained the implementations as per the amended five-point roadmap and 12 political, economic and social objectives. He noted that the SAC is leading to emerge the display of election which is the major aim after solving the 2020 election fraud that caused the current political situation.

According to the scenarios presented by the SAC Chairman, it has been found holding election with 2 displays. For the 1st situation, the election is to be held by leaving out some places in Sagaing region where the current attacks, violent acts, unlawful practices are happened, some places in the northern part of Magway region and a few places in Kayah, Kayin and Chin States and in the eastern part of Bago Region and Taninthayi region.

The 2nd situation is the implementation of the nationwide election. For holding the nation-wide election, the elections must be held across the nation that will reflect the desire of entire people in the nation. It will implement continuously the tasks for ensuring peace and stability of the nation and the rule of law for holding a free and fair elections.

In addition, it has been found that there needs the time to carry out for the improvement of 2 national work programs and 2 political work programs adopted for the people. He continued to say that there is still need to provide rehabilitation and return to the normal situation including the reconstruction of the basic structures of the local communities that were damaged by cyclone Mocha plus strong winds that have been faced during the 6-month period.He called for all to cooperate in ensuring peace and stability of the nation, law enforcement and the emergence of an election that everyone can cast vote freely, independently and without fear.

He added that the duration of the State of Emergency is extended to further six months starting 1stAugust 2023 based on the decisions made by the members of the National Defence and Security Council and the rights under sub-section-b of Section 421 of the Constitution and the political situation of the nation in accord with Section 425 of the Constitution and the State responsibilities are also assigned to the SAC Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services again under Section 419 of the Constitution.