The State Administration Council (SAC) spokesman, Major General Zaw Min Tun, said that the national military service system is necessary for the current situation in Myanmar.

He made this statement after the SAC issued an order on February 10, 2024, that the Military Service Law would come into effect on the same day.

He said that the national military service system would include all citizens and implement a militia strategy. He claimed that this was a common practice in international affairs when there was a need for war mobilization. He said that this was a matter of national defense and security.

The Military Service Law was amended in November 2010 by the State Peace and Development Council. It replaced the previous law of 1959. Major General Zaw Min Tun said that the new law would aim for a single military mission and strengthen the connection between the permanent army and the people. He said that this would bring benefits such as preventing war and gaining more influence.

He said that the idea of a militia strategy was discussed since 1964 and adopted in 1967. He said that the military had to use this strategy during the Chinese White Kuomintang invasion and the domestic insurgency.

He said that every citizen had the responsibility to preserve the Three Main National Causes: Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuity of national sovereignty. He said that the law would provide military education and service for national defense. He said that everyone should serve with pride and joy under the new law.