The following is a full-text speech delivered by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhama Min Aung Hlaing at the 79th Armed Forces Day Parade yesterday.
Comrades,
Today commemorates the 79th Anniversary of the Armed Forces Day of our Tatmadaw, a symbol born out of Myanmar’s independence struggle, the nation-building needs and aspirations of its people. Moreover, this day holds immense historical significance, marking the successful initiation of the anti-fascist movement by our Tatmadaw in collaboration with indigenous people on 27 March 1945, demonstrating a profound sense of nationalism.
Comrades,
Believing that regaining lost Independence required armed revolution, General Aung San led the Thirty Comrades to Japan to learn modern military tactics. With Japan’s assistance, they repelled English imperialists. Subsequently, Tatmadaw, in unity with the people, defended against fascist Japan due to its oppressive governance and attitudes, beginning on 27 March 1945. It was Tatmadaw’s effort, hand in hand with the people, to gain Independence, and it also is Tatmadaw positioning itself ahead of the populace to prevent the loss of the nation’s sovereignty and Independence. Due to the legacy of the Divide and Rule policy imposed by British imperialists, the mass remnants of World War II weapons in a war-torn country, and diverse political ideologies, numerous armed insurgent groups, colloquially referred to as “Multicoloured Insurgents,” emerged across the nation following the underground retreat of the Burma Communist Party (BCP) in March 1948. Despite this, our Tatmadaw diligently safeguarded the integrity of the Union from disintegration through extensive nationwide operations.
Comrades,
Our Tatmadaw, with sacrificial commitment and regarding itself as bearing a national duty related to sovereignty, not only combated internal multicoloured insurgents but also deterred and suppressed foreign aggressions, such as the Kuomintang’s intrusions in Shan State and the Mujahidin insurrection in Rakhine State. Moreover, Tatmadaw steadfastly positioned itself at the forefront in safeguarding the nation during critical moments of threat, including the chaotic administrative upheaval during the 1988 uprising and the attempt to seize the State power through forcible means in 2020. Hence, I would like to earnestly emphasize that, always prioritizing the interests of the State and the people. Likewise those of our endeavours since Independence struggle to defend against any detrimental acts to Our Three Main National Causes, Tatmadaw shall continue to pursue the same stance in the future.
Comrades,
Although our country adopted a Parliamentary Democracy system upon Independence, the deterioration of national unity due to political issues, foreign incitements, constitutional deficiencies, armed conflicts, and dissents within political parties formed the Revolutionary Council and the Burma Socialist Programme Party to formulate state-building through a Socialist economic system from 1962 to 1988. Nevertheless, the country’s economy experienced a decline due to various impositions and sanctions from internal and external elements, natural disasters, management shortcomings, and armed conflicts, followed by the occurrence of uprisings in 1988. As the country teetered on the brink of weakened national solidarity and faced the imminent danger of losing sovereignty, our Tatmadaw assumed State responsibility in September 1988. Following the assumption of state responsibility, our Tatmadaw not only prioritized the establishment of a multiparty democracy system in accordance with the aspirations of the people but also drafted a constitution deemed indispensable for formulating a democratic system and the Constitution was ratified through a nationwide referendum in 2008. Afterwards, a free and fair multiparty democracy General Election was held in November 2010, facilitating a smooth and peaceful transition to democracy.
Comrades,
Despite variations in organizational structures, strengths, and objectives among international armies, the common goal is to safeguard the nation. Similarly, constitutions may differ among countries, but each Constitution is ratified based on long-term national interests and prevailing conditions. Constitutions, typically drafted based on the origins, historical backgrounds, ethnicity, religion, politics, economy, and other factors of each country, cannot be judged as to which country’s Constitution is as right or wrong, as the primary consideration is the national interests of the respective nation.
In the 2008 Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the inclusion of the clause outlining Tatmadaw’s role is aimed at correcting and preventing weaknesses experienced in the past in advance. I would like to emphasize that the ratified paragraphs outlining Tatmadaw’s role in the Constitution are not for the benefit of Tatmadaw but with anticipation for the good of the country.
Comrades,
While scrutinizing the voting list of the 2020 election, it is evident to all comrades that the multiparty democratic General Election was conducted disorderly and marred by excessive electoral fraud, and such actions have tarnished the reputation of our nation. While verifying the list of 38.27 million eligible voters issued by the Union Election Commission for the 2020 General Election, firm evidence was unveiled that 11.3 million ballots were found to be ineligible, amounting to 29.54 per cent of voting fraud. The General Election is not only a national duty directly tied to the reputation of the country but also a process of selecting leaders who will shape the future trajectory of the nation. It is crucial to earn the trust of the people through the implementation of a free and fair multiparty democracy system, thereby shaping a decent political history. Therefore, Tatmadaw temporarily assumed the State’s responsibility in line with the Constitution on 1 February 2021 to prevent the NLD government from usurping the State authority through illegitimate means.
Comrades,
Since the pre-Independence period, the history of our country’s political landscape has been characterized by unpredictability and complexity, echoing the sentiment of intransigent behaviours: “Intricate patterns of politics are similar to the nature’s outcome of an egg or a cloud”. Even after Independence, a stable political system has been elusive due to diverse ideologies and perspectives, resulting in the implementation of various political systems. It can be observed that along with the unstable political system and internal ethnic armed conflicts, the development of the country has lagged behind compared to other nations. Hence, to bolster the growth and resilience of the present democratic trajectory, the State Administration Council is currently pursuing two political visions: “To strengthen a disciplined and authentic multiparty democratic system; To foster a Union founded upon democratic and federal systems” and the two national visions of the State: “the prosperity of the nation and food security”. In other words, these visions represent the nation’s ambitions that must be relentlessly Comrades,
With the rapid developments in information technology and communication networks in the current age, there is an increasing misuse of social media. Opposing individuals and organizations are exploiting social media to target Tatmadaw, attempting to degrade its political reputation, falsify public opinion, and incite subversion. Hence, all citizens, including our Tatmadaw members, need to be critical and vigilant regarding unreliable media sources. National defence duties can be performed to the fullest extent only when unity between Tatmadaw and the people is solidified. Therefore, I urge you to prioritize fostering unity with the people. As Tatmadaw members, adhering to the military code of conduct, engaging in organizational activities in the public domain, and providing public welfare services in respective regions must be done with genuine intent and goodwill.
Comrades,
The current conflicts worldwide demonstrate that threats involving nuclear and conventional weapons in the past have now merged with information warfare, powerful nations are forming alliances to intimidate weaker ones, and small nations are being used as proxies in attempts to contain neighbouring states. Therefore, I encourage you to follow Tatmadaw’s work process of “Study, Practise, Comply” to transform into a technologically advanced modern armed force.
Comrades,
While eliminating internal destructive elements disguised as proponents of democracy and countering externally sponsored terrorist groups, I would like to conclude by urging you to comply with the objectives set forth for the 79th Armed Forces Day, which include:
To safeguard the State with the sacrifice of life by upholding Our Three Main National Causes: Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty as the national policy of Tatmadaw;
To actively participate in implementing the processes of two national visions of the State: the prosperity of the country and food security by Tatmadaw members together with the government and ethnic people in their respective sectors;
To steadfastly implement enhancement of three capabilities in accord with the work process of Tatmadaw, such as study, practise and comply in building a modern patriotic Tatmadaw with powerful strength and sharpening prowess;
To provide necessary assistance to hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election by Tatmadaw to ensure peace and stability, solidarity and development, which are actual needs of the State and to emerge a Union based on democratic and federal systems.
