Address To The Nation: SG Highlights The ASEAN And COVID-19 Situation

Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing of the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar addressed to the nation on 18th October. The Senior General first extended wishes for well-being of the entire people during the time of Thadingyut Festival period. Concerning the Multiparty General Election held on 8th Novmerber 2020, the Senior General said there occurred a huge blunder of electoral fraud.

According to the lessons learnt, previous mistakes could be avoided in the future. Investigation to these case revealed the incidents that had damaged to the country and its people. He added that the SAC is currently carrying out the tasks by laying down 5-point Road Map, aiming for the prosperity of the nation by fostering democracy and federal system. The Senior General also explained the recent development of the relations between Myanmar and ASEAN.

5-point agreement has been reached in principle during the ASEAN Summit held in Jakatar of Indonesia on April 24th this year. The appointment of the Special Envoy of ASEAN Alternate Chairman was also agreed on 4th August. It has been mentioned that the agreement will be carried out in line with the political stability of Myanmar and the ASEAN Charter. Out of the 5-point agreement, the first point is the most important one which is to end the terrorist acts in the soonest time. But the terrorist acts become more intense due to the instigation of the terrorist group CRPH and NUG and the participation of some EAOs.

In fact, the ASEAN needs to handle this situation with understanding. Moreover, the Special Envoy of ASEAN Alternative Chairman demanded some facts that cannot be negotiated. Nevertheless, Myanmar will do its best as a member of ASEAN, and hope to continue the ASEAN Summit and its related meetings in line with the basic principles of ASEAN Charter. Regarding the COVID-19 prevention and control measures, Myanmar experienced the first wave of COVID-19  from March 23rdto August 15th 2020, according to the records.

The second Wave occurred from 16th August to May 26th. Those periods were coincided with the pre and post elections period so that political difficulties were also solved. Many difficulties were encountered due to insufficiency of medicine, equipment and medical staff. For the prevention and control measures, even though 30 millions of vaccines were purchased from India, only 2 million were available as India itself suffered the surge of COVID cases.

Efforts were made to get vaccines from  neighboring countries and so far 20 million of vaccines from China were purchased. And further 4 million is about to arrive within this month. Moreover, Myanmar received over 2.5 million doses donated by  India, over 4.6 million from China, and in addition more doses of 8 million from China and Russia.

Up to 17th October, over  4. 69 million people have been vaccinated two times and over 6.84 million already received one dose. In total, 16.24 million people have been vaccinated.  In order to reopen schools, vaccination program for the students are being conducted starting from 12th October.

Similarly, the vaccine purchasing and manufacturing processes in the country are also being implemented. As the third wave started on  27th May. On  July 14th,  positive patients rose to 7,083 as the highest record (33.17%) and 5,506 people on July 23rd , accounting 40.82%. With the systematic arrangement of officials concerned and conscientiousness of the people, the infection cases stand around 1,200 and declined to 7%. So, I’d like to thank for all-inclusiveness in fighting against the disease.

We also make effort to decline the infection rate of  3% at the end of October according to the plans to reopen the schools soon. As soon as the infection rate can be controlled, schools can be reopened while creating more job opportunities fully. The Senior General urged the public to follow the set COVID-19 rules and regulations more carefully. Nowadays, infection rates still increase in some areas of Shan State and Magway region which needs to supervise containment measures.

The Senior General also stressed that over 800,000 tons of edible oil worth of over 830 million US dollars, have been imported during 2020-2021 fiscal year. It is too much of consuming as Myanmar has many crops that can produce edible oil and make production. By reducing the oil consuming, it will help for the public to enjoy healthy life and also reduce the expenses of foreign currency for the country.