Daw Aung San Suu Kyi shares her interactions with local people; advises cabinet to carry out duties diligently

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Chairperson of the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races, met with the Shan State cabinet at the Taunggyi Hotel yesterday, as part of her visit to Taunggyi. At the meeting, she shared her observations on ensuring regional development, peace, stability, and harmony.

The State Counsellor delivered the opening remarks at the meeting. Then, Shan State Chief Minister Dr. Lin Htut detailed completed and planned projects for the development of Shan State. State ministers also submitted reports on ongoing tasks and requirements.

Thereafter, the State Counsellor spoke at length, sharing observations made during the course of her trip through Shan State, and reports and submissions from the public and representatives of religious leaders and ethnic races. She then instructed the ministers about ways to fulfil them.

The State Counsellor said that after listening to the people on her trip to east Shan State and Taunggyi, she has found that the greatest needs of the people currently are: access to clean drinking water, better roads and transport system, electricity, education, and healthcare.

She said she also noticed issues pertaining to return of farmland during the trip. She urged the cabinet to understand this is a hardship faced by the people. She said she noticed delays in return of land back to the rightful owners and ongoing court cases relating to the matter. She stressed that the issue needs to be dealt with seriously.

As the capital of Shan State, Taunggyi has improved physically, but the mindset of the people about environmental issues needs to change, she said, citing the depleting green cover in the area.

She suggested drafting a master plan for long-term reforms. She said further efforts are needed to replace opium-producing poppy fields with alternative plantations.

The State Counsellor gave a word of caution that the state cabinet must ensure it is well-informed of the policies laid down by the Union Government, and there must be no laxity on this front. She said it is important to meet closely with the people and explain the government’s procedures. She expressed her delight that the people in Shan State are living and working together, without any discrimination against different races or religions. She instructed the cabinet to help spread this positive mentality from Taunggyi to all of Shan State, and then to the entire Union.

Afterwards, the State Counsellor and her entourage arrived at the Heho Airport where they were welcomed by Hluttaw representatives, local residents, and the Kainari and Kainara dance troupes.

The State Counsellor and her entourage departed by special flight and arrived in Nay Pyi Taw in the afternoon. They were welcomed at the airport by Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman Dr. Myo Aung and his wife, and other officials. —MNA (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)