21 January
U Min Thu, Union Minister for the Office of the Union Government, who is in Haka Township, Chin State, met with staff of the General Administration Department (GAD) from township, district, and state level offices, yesterday.
Firstly, the head of the Chin State GAD introduced the Union Minister to everyone in attendance. He then explained about the State GAD’s processes and performances. Union Minister U Min Thu then delivered a speech.
Speech by Union Minister U Min Thu
The Union Minister said since assuming office as the Union Minister for the Office of the Union Government he has met with staff of the General Administration Department (GAD) in Kachin and Kayah states. He said meeting with GAD staff in Chin State makes the third visit of this nature. He said it is first and foremost a joyous and honorary occasion to meet all the GAD staff.
The Union Minister said the General Administration Department has been agreed to be transferred to the Ministry of the Office of the Union Government during Union Government Meeting No. (23/2018). He explained that the reason for the transfer is to establish an administrative mechanism that is in line with the political system the country is working towards, and for the emergence of good governance.
He mentioned that Presi dent U Win Myint said he will undertake government reforms and decentralize institutions in his speech on Myanmar New Year in April 2018.
Undertaking reforms, decentralization
The Union Minister said reforming governance requires adherence to the following principles:
To start from the grassroots
To work with collective strength of the people
To emphasize the will of the people
To make changes in areas not coherent with reforms
He added that decentrazation needs to be carried out in accordance with the following:
To change what is needed
To implement changes without jeopardizing stability
To work for the transition process based on the standards of transparency, openness, accountability and responsibility at all levels.
Union Minister U Min Thu said his ministry is tirelessly working towards reforming the administrative mechanism in accordance with the President’s guidelines, for greater cooperation with the state and region governments, and implementing decentralization. He said they will listen to advice from advisory groups comprising of professionals and implement them into the practical operations underway. He instructed GAD staff to adhere to the policies and guidelines set by the Ministry of the Office of the Union Government
The Union Minister said that as Heads of the GAD in respective states and regions and Nay Pyi Taw council area assume the task of executive secretary of the respective cabinet, they must ensure the administration system is smooth, fair, just, free of corruption, and operates with transparency.
The Union Minister said changes in the government agencies are merely peripheral, and it requires change, in line with national policies, to be initiated from the staff themselves for there to be substantial reforms. He instructed all GAD staff from township, district and state level to actively participate in the reforms. He said it is natural to speculate and worry about what might go wrong when initiating change. He said these worries will give way to success if we band together in open and transparent discussions.
No need to worry change
The Union Minister concluded by laying down two points he wished for GAD staff to consider.
The first point is to cast away any worries concerning the General Administration Department’s transfer to the Ministry of the Office of the Union Government, said the Union Minister. He said the administrative system needs to be stable first before initiating reforms. He told the staff to continue working as normal, fulfilling their duties, while adhering to the law, rules and regulations in place. He instructed them to carry out reforms in line with any changing policies and instructions.
The second point, said the Union Minister, is to carry out reforms and changes while considering the goodwill and benefit of the people. He said the GAD needs to bring about visible change in their convictions and spirit so that the public increases their trust in the GAD. He told them to consider themselves service providers to the public’s needs and to be ready to fulfill that role at all times. He said we will all need to work together to be closer to the public, lister to their voices, and actively cooperate with them in order to become a trustworthy and reliable management system with good administration.
The Union Minister said to stabilize the administrative mechanism first, and then follow through with implementing reforms. He concluded his speech by expressing his sincere desire for GAD staff to cooperate in bringing about swift reforms.
Afterwards, GAD staff in attendance submitted requirements to the Union Minister, who gave necessary suggestions and directions.—MNA (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
