Excerpts from Message sent by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing to Ceremony Marking the 76th Anniversary of Independence Day

Ministry of Defense/ Nay Pyi Taw / January 10, 2024

The excerpts from the message sent by the Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing to the ceremony marking the 76^th Anniversary of Independence Day which falls on 4 January 2024 are as follows:

· “Our Three Main National Causes” which play a pivotal role in the perpetual existence of independence and sovereignty is vividly seen as an ethic all the ethnic people should follow.

· The previous government did not legally solve voting frauds which happened in the 2020 election but made attempts to grasp the power of the State. Hence, Tatmadaw served the State responsibilities under the Constitution (2008) for ensuring the strengthening of the multiparty democratic system.

· The State Administration Council has been formed, and two political visions: strengthening a genuine, disciplined multiparty democratic system and building a Union based on democratic and federal systems have been adopted. Likewise, two national visions: ensuring peace and prosperity of the State and food security are being implemented.

· An emphasis must be placed on building a Union based on a democratic and federal system in the regionally-based system rather than an ethnic-based federalism.

· In building such a Union, “as all leaders, implementers, and followers need to have knowledge, technology, personal capacity, and critical thinking skills, efforts must be made for the enhancement of a comprehensive education sector that can turn human resources for the State”.

· “Encouraging micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) based on agriculture and livestock sectors”, they have to study advanced manufacturing technologies to produce value-added products so as to enhance socioeconomic life of the nation.

· It is necessary to enumerate the national census to compile voter lists successfully and have the necessary biometric data for the development of the nation. Hence, a pilot census enumeration started on 1 October 2023, and a plan is underway to collect the national census in 2024.

· Depending on this, “when firm and correct voter lists have been compiled, efforts must be made to hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election under the law and create chances for voters to cast votes in all parts of the nation without vacant areas.”

· Continuous efforts will be made to hold a systematic election and handing over the State’s responsibilities to the government which would emerge from the election.

· The government on its part has decided to continuously strive to implement the great strategic plan, strategic plan, and tactics adopted with national solidarity and mutual respect and trust based on Union spirit.

All national brethren are urged to deeply accept five national objectives of the 76^th Anniversary of Independence Day 2024 and join hands among them in unison to participate in striving for the perpetuity of the Independence and Sovereignty of Myanmar with genuine patriotic spirit and Union spirit.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar Newspaper (4-1-2024)