Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing Marks 100 Days in Office

The head of Myanmar’s military-backed government has marked his administration’s first 100 days in office with a speech defending his record and outlining a five-year road map for his administration. President Min Aung Hlaing, the former army chief who seized power in 2021 from a civilian government, was sworn in as president in April following an election that critics said was designed to entrench the military’s grip on power.

Key Priorities and Initiatives

Min Aung Hlaing emphasized that his government has laid ‘important foundations’ since taking office by pursuing two priorities: restoring peace and stability, and promoting national development. He stated that his administration would spend two years accelerating efforts to build a modern and developed nation based on democracy and a federal system, followed by another three years carrying out development at full speed.

The President also announced that special elections would be held in 2027 in constituencies across 102 townships that were unable to vote during the three-phase election held last year due to armed conflict. He further stated that the government would continue to implement the military’s conscription law while strengthening the armed forces and police as they fight pro-democracy activists and ethnic minority rebels throughout the country.

Min Aung Hlaing noted that his administration has invited armed groups fighting the military to lay down their weapons and has held talks with 13 ethnic armed groups. He also criticized a five-point consensus reached by Southeast Asian leaders in 2021 to end Myanmar’s civil strife, saying it had been issued without the agreement of all member states and that the regional bloc had discriminated against Myanmar.

Energy and Infrastructure Development Plans

The President outlined energy and major infrastructure development plans, stating that the government would proceed with 10 power generation projects, including the controversial Myitsone hydropower project, while continuing efforts to build a nuclear power plant. He also mentioned that Myanmar authorities were working to combat money laundering, drug trafficking, and online scam centers, with more than 72,000 foreigners linked to scam operations having been repatriated to 58 countries.

Min Aung Hlaing acknowledged that the departure of large numbers of young Myanmar people was hurting economic development, but did not acknowledge the role of the military’s conscription law, which has been widely cited as one of the key factors behind the outflow of young people.

International Reaction and Criticism

Nan Lin, a spokesperson of the General Strike Coordination Body, a leading nonviolent activists group, stated that the speech showed the military’s intention to maintain its grip on power, adding that the country would face worsening hardship under what he described as the junta’s failed policies.

‘No meaningful change can be expected from the junta,’ Nan Lin said. ‘They will use the conscription law to control young people through fear, and the situation could worsen as they continue to sacrifice young people in order to hold on to power.’

Key Statistics:

• 102 townships unable to vote during the three-phase election held last year due to armed conflict.
• More than 72,000 foreigners linked to scam operations having been repatriated to 58 countries.
• 13 ethnic armed groups that have held talks with the government.