Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn Gave Responded to Queries Raised by the Reporters from South China Morning Post of China, Nikkei Asian News, Kyodo News, TBS and Asahi Shimbun of Japan

Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn responded to the queries raised by the reporters from South China Morning Post, Nikkei Asian News, Kyodo News, TBS and Asahi Shimbun via videoconferencing on 23 February. During the online interviews, the Union Minister stressed the following points in his opening remark:

• He said he’d like to request the reporters to convey his explanations to the international communities and also clarify the disinformation and one-sided accusations on Myanmar.
•  We all can see that the State Administration Council has emphasized two national-politic tasks: prosperity of the State and food efficiency, and then consistently implemented the two political tasks: consolidating the genuine disciplined multi-party democracy system; and the building the Union based on democracy and federalism. 
• We’ve assumed that achieving eternal peace is very critical in building a Union based on democracy and federalism.
• At present, except the associations declared as terrorist groups, all Ethnic Armed Groups (EAOs) of NCA signatories and non-NCA signatories have already been invited to take part in talks for eternal peace. 

Regarding the question raised by South China Morning Post - whether the government lost control and dominance over the remote areas like Rakhine state, Chin state and Kayah state where armed clashes are taking place, The Union Minister answered as follows:

• The terrorist groups of CRPH, NUG and PDF are doing acts of terrorism very often in some remote areas with transport difficulties in Chin state, Kayah state and Sagaing region and they are spreading disinformation portraying as if there is no peace and stability in the country.
• Due to their terrorist acts, people are living in fear without safety of their lives and properties. Security force member are taking necessary security measures round the clock to ensure peace, stability and rule of law in respective areas.
• As the State Administration Council has highly emphasized the efforts to protect the human rights of the people by taking prompt actions in line with laws against the lawless and inhumane activities of the terrorist groups, the security and stability of the country is now fully under control.

Regarding the reports of soldiers taking side of other opposing groups, he answered as follows:

• In case Tatmadaw personnel offend such crimes, they will be taken action as per rules, regulations and laws promulgated particularly for them.
• The news reports found on online media are merely about one or two traitors who were cowardly to admit their faults after breaching the laws and such news reports are grossly exaggerated.
• Only few who were afraid to face the truth after offending the law took side merely due to the intimidation and incitement.

Regarding the question raised by Japan Nikkei Asian News – When the coming election will be held, the Union Minister answered the following points:

• The State Administration Council has temporarily assumed the State’s responsibilities after declaration of state of emergency as per the Section 417 of the State Constitution (2008). As the Administration is now implementing the processes adopted in its five-point roadmap and will hold the general election as per Section 429 of the State Constitution (2008) depending on the recovery of peace and stability across the country.
• After upcoming general election, the current authorized bodies at various level set up under Section 428 of the Constitution will continue doing their duties until the relevant organizations of legislation, administration and adjudication are set up as per Section 430 of the Constitution. Relevant departmental officials will systematically hand over their respective duties to the winning party.

Regarding the question whether the Tatmadaw is now practically building up the Peace of Myanmar, the Union Minister responded as follows:

• In order to effectively implement the peace process, the The Tatmadaw Peace Talks Committee was reconstituted on 1 February 2021 increasing its members from four to seven. Such move show that the Tatmadaw has regarded the eternal peace is very important in building a Union based on democracy and federal system.
• Everyone can see that EAOs were invited in considerable respect to attend the Diamond Jubilee Union Day. From 2018 to 2022 February, Tatmadaw has released unilateral ceasefire for 20 times. Such moves show Tatmadaw has actually wanted the eternal peace and taken practical steps to achieve it.
• As we’ve accepted that ‘nothing is more important than the heath’, the vaccination process for EAOs have been considerably prioritized. By reviewing the facts, the Tatmadaw is taking all possible measures in line with the provisions of NCA to achieve nationwide eternal peace. In 2022, the government will exert utmost efforts of ensuring peace, and integrity of sovereignty.

Regarding the question about Myanmar’s economic partnering programmes in the region, he responded as follows:

• During the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, foreign companies left Myanmar for their respective countries. The business owners have returned to Myanmar since May 2021. According to the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, there are over 3,200 companies and 9,010 foreigners returning to Myanmar via relief flight after they were granted business visa by the Ministry. There are big companies who left Myanmar due to the pressures of powerful countries and also new companies coming to Myanmar.
• At present, necessary assistances are being provided in order to recover the drop in foreign investment and to resolve the tax-related problems investors are now facing. The DICA Online Solution – DOSo system is now being implemented. Moreover, Investment Monitoring Software Phase 1 which will simplify the business processes with permissions granted is also under implementation.
• Aiming the investors return to Myanmar, Investor Targeting Campaign is also under implemented. According to the program, we will attract friendly countries including China and Russia to invest in Myanmar.
• The State Government is now making all-round efforts to encourage the international companies return and invest in Myanmar. At present, Myanmar Economic Recovery Plan (MERP) has been systematically drawn up and implemented.

Regarding the question raised by Kyodo News of Japan on ICJ public hearing – How to solve the accusation by The Gambia? , the Union Minister responded as follows:

• The Gambia filed an application against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 11 November 2019, accusing Myanmar of violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
• Myanmar submitted preliminary objections stating that the Court lacks jurisdiction to deal with the merits of the case and the Gambia has no right to file an application against Myanmar at the ICJ, to the Court on 20 January 2021. The International Court of Justice is holding a public hearing related to the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar from 21 to 28 February 2022, in The Hague, the Netherlands.
• Myanmar will present its second round of oral arguments on 25 February and The Gambia will make its second round of oral argument on 28 February.

Regarding queries by Asahi Shimbun from Japan on the SAC’s attitude towards Rohingyas as NUG released a statement on Rohingyas to be recognized as citizens, the Union Minister responded as follows:

• According to the records of Ministry of Immigration and population, the census report regarding races and tribes of Myanmar under British rule before Myanmar gained the independence, the population and housing censuses of Myanmar taken from 1881 up to 2014, the term of “Rohingya” was not included in the censuses. That term was not included in the population census under British colonial rule as well as in the Gazette of the British administration.
• Bengalis, who want to enter into Myanmar from the other country, are forcibly claiming that they are not Bengalis and they want to be recognized as Rohingyas. Ministry of Immigration and Population are undertaking the tasks to grant ethnic national people as citizens by births and non-ethnic national people as citizens by law without discriminating on grounds of race, religion, male or female.
• Those, who have applied to be granted as citizens by law, holding no card are being issued NV cards and they have the right to apply for citizenship under the 1982 Citizen Law. NV cards are being issued to such nationals: Chineses, Indians, Pakistanis, Bengalis, Gorkhas, Kokangs, Kholonelis and Mone Wuns.

Regarding the queries of “Is the State Administration Council recognized as a legitimate government by the international community due to the attending of   Myanmar Agents at the ICJ”, the Union Minister responded as follows:

• Since the State Administration Council is convinced as a government which is tackling the current situations of the State, it is invited to come to solve the problem at the ICJ. Therefore, there is no doubt that the State Administration Council is a legitimate government of Myanmar. 

• The terrorist groups of CRPH, NUG and PDF are doing acts of terrorism very often in some remote areas with transport difficulties in Chin state, Kayah state and Sagaing region and they are spreading disinformation portraying as if there is no peace and stability in the country.
• After upcoming general election, the current authorized bodies at various level set up under Section 428 of the Constitution will continue doing their duties until the relevant organizations of legislation, administration and adjudication are set up as per Section 430 of the Constitution.
• Everyone can see that EAOs were invited in considerable respect to attend the Diamond Jubilee Union Day. From 2018 to 2022 February, Tatmadaw has released unilateral ceasefire for 20 times. Such moves show Tatmadaw has actually wanted the eternal peace and taken practical steps to achieve it.
• According to the records of Ministry of Immigration and population, the census report regarding races and tribes of Myanmar under British rule before Myanmar gained the independence, the population and housing censuses of Myanmar taken from 1881 up to 2014, the name of “Rohingya” was not included in the censuses.

Since the SAC is convinced as a government which is tackling the current situations of the State, it is invited to come to solve the problem at the ICJ. Therefore, there is no doubt that the State Administration Council is a legitimate government of Myanmar.