The People’s Military Service Law (Fourth Draft) has been revised and is set to be submitted to the Union Government for approval, according to Union Minister for Defence Admiral Tin Aung San, who also chairs the Central Committee for People’s Military Service Recruitment.
Admiral Tin Aung San announced this during the committee's Coordination Meeting No. (4/2024) on May 20. He noted that the Fourth Draft was crafted by incorporating feedback from central committee members, three union ministries, and six regional/state committees. The draft was then sent to the Ministry of Legal Affairs for review. Following the ministry's feedback, the draft was revised by the drafting and law-making working group.
Feedback on the Fourth Draft is invited, with a request for prompt submission. Necessary amendments and additions will be made based on this feedback and sent back to the Ministry of Legal Affairs for further review. Once the review is complete, the revised draft will be submitted to the Union Government for final approval.
The first and second batches of people’s military service training have already commenced. The third batch’s number of trainees and schedule have been adjusted to current conditions, facilitating the efforts of the Nay Pyi Taw Council and regional/state working groups. To raise awareness about the Military Service Law, 686,250 leaflets have been distributed free of charge, and information has been broadcasted via Myanmar Radio and Television. Additionally, 26.19 million SMS messages were sent through four mobile operators to provide accurate information and prevent misunderstandings among the public. Sections 22 and 15(a) of the law cover exemptions, reductions, and deferments. In total, 133 million SMS messages have been sent to inform the public, according to the Admiral.
The strengths and weaknesses from the first two batches of training have been reviewed. The Nay Pyi Taw Council and regional/state people’s military service committees are urged to work diligently to ensure successful recruitment and smooth operations for future batches. Committee members, including the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman and regional/state Chief Ministers, are encouraged to discuss and provide input, he added.
