Nearly four months after taking office, Myanmar’s junta chief turned president Min Aung Hlaing criticised the regional Asean bloc’s peace plan and outlined his government’s plans for the war-torn country.
Myanmar was plunged into turmoil in February 2021 when the military ousted an elected government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking protests that expanded into a protracted civil war, killing some 100,000 people and displacing millions.
At the turn of this year, the military engineered a widely criticised election won by an army-backed party that allowed Hlaing to transition into a civilian role.
Dismissing Asean’s peace plan – known as the “Five Point Consensus” – Hlaing said the 11-member bloc has discriminated against Myanmar.
“We have been patient. We will respond to non-constructive actions on a case-by-case basis,” he said in a speech to parliament yesterday, without referring to any specific member of Asean.
Speaking on his government’s plans for the nation, by-elections will be held in 2027 in 172 constituencies unable to vote during the December-January polls because of the ongoing unrest.
The capacity of the military and police will also be enhanced, while continuing to implement a conscription law, he said.
His administration has invited rebel groups for talks without preconditions and, so far, has met with 13 ethnic armed organisations (EAOs).
The government is working to stop money laundering and arms smuggling by EAOs as well as cracking down on drug trafficking and online scam centres, Hlaing said.
The government is currently working on 10 power generation projects, including the controversial Myitsone dam, and efforts are also underway to build a nuclear power plant.
Large numbers of young people, aged between 18 and 34, have been leaving the country, impacting economic development, he said.
The military’s conscription law is a major factor for this exodus, Reuters has previously reported. — Reuters
