REUTERS — Nearly four months after taking office, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the military junta leader who has since become president, criticized ASEAN's peace plan on Wednesday (31) and outlined his government's agenda for the war-torn Southeast Asian country.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since February 2021, when the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government, sparking widespread protests that escalated into a protracted civil war, leaving approximately 100,000 people dead and displacing millions more.
Earlier this year, the military held widely criticized elections in which the army-backed party won by a landslide, allowing Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to transition into the role of civilian leader.
In a speech to parliament, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing rejected ASEAN's peace plan, known as the Five-Point Consensus, saying the 11-member bloc had treated Myanmar with double standards.
"We have been very patient. We will counter unconstructive actions on a case-by-case basis," President Min Aung Hlaing said, without naming any specific ASEAN member.
His government will hold by-elections in 2027 in 172 constituencies that were unable to vote in the December and January elections due to unrest.
The government will enhance the capabilities of the military and police while continuing to enforce the conscription law.
His government has invited armed groups to negotiate without preconditions, and so far Min Aung Hlaing's government has held talks with 13 ethnic armed organizations.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the government is working to halt money laundering and arms trafficking by armed groups, as well as cracking down on drug trafficking and online scam centers.
He also stated that the government is prioritizing the 1,400-kilometer India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project and the 410-kilometer Mandalay-Muse railway project to connect with the Chinese border.
"The goal is to export goods to foreign markets in a short time and at low cost," Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said.
The government is currently implementing 10 electricity generation projects, including the controversial Myitsone Dam project, and is also proceeding with the construction of a nuclear power plant.
His government will allocate 10% of the national budget to the education sector in the next fiscal year, increasing to 15% for the 2028-2029 fiscal year.
He said the government is focusing on the tourism and agriculture sectors and aims to boost domestic cotton production through the provision of credit and technical assistance to farmers.
He also said that large numbers of young people aged between 18 and 34 are leaving the country, affecting economic development — Reuters had previously reported that the conscription law is a key factor driving the exodus.
"I will spend two years building momentum for national reconstruction, and then spend another three years carrying out that reconstruction at full capacity," President Min Aung Hlaing said.
