NDSC Meeting: Emergency declaration period extended next 6 months

The National Defence and Security Council held its meeting at the State Administration Council Chairman’s Office in Nay Pyi Taw on Friday.

The meeting was attended by Pro Tem President (Duty) Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U T Khun Myat, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Union Minister for Defence General Maung Maung Aye, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, special invitees Secretary of the State Administration Council General Aung Lin Dwe and Joint-Secretary General Ye Win Oo.

In his clarification, the Senior General explained the work undertakings during the six-month extension period and the need to continue these efforts. Regarding the first point of the State Administration Council Road-Map which says “Emphasis will be placed on ensuring peace and stability and the full rule of law across the whole union, and on successfully conducting a free and fair multiparty democratic general election”, the Senior General highlighted the attack by the KNPP and PDF at Loikaw last year, resulting in the closures of Loikaw University along with the damages of 44 buildings. He added that the renovation of these damaged buildings will cost about 9 billion kyats which could use in various development projects in education, agriculture and livestock sectors. He stressed that the regional peace, stability and development depends only on the locals and the terrorists, residing in that area. He reiterated that the lawless acts of armed terrorists have been denounced by the entire population, and Tatmadaw is making efforts for ending these acts in cooperation with the local residents who wish for regional peace and stability.

He urged people the need to inform the administration bodies for systematic implementation of public security, regional peace and stability. He also highlighted the implementations for emergence of a genuine disciplined multi-party democracy system and building a union based on democracy and federal system. Emphasizing the need to conduct an election, he explained the importance of reflecting the genuine will of the people, stating that no Election Law or By-Law has established the validity of an election based on the number of voters.

He also called for cooperation of entire people to move forwards to the path of democracy, ensuring community peace and stability. The Senior General also mentioned the work undertakings for boosting production of agriculture and livestock products, promoting education and health sectors, recovery measures in disaster hit areas, ending armed conflicts and achieving long lasting peace in the nation.

He also outlined the plans for holding a free and fair multi-party democracy general election, clarifying the efforts for the voters list accuracy through the conducting of population and housing census. He called for the extension of next 6 months on emergency declaration, stressing the need to continue efforts for ensuring peace and stability so as to make preparations for successful holding of general election. Following the discussions by the members of National Defence and Security Council and special invitees, the meeting decided for an additional six months extension of the State of Emergency in line with the Constitution.