YANGON, July 29, 2025 – Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) today enacted a new law that mandates the death penalty for anyone causing a fatality while obstructing, hindering, or destroying the election process.

The law, officially titled "Law on Protecting Multi-Party Democratic General Elections from Obstruction, Hindrance, and Destruction," is designated as SAC Law No. 48/2025.

Section 27 of the law explicitly states: "If any offense under this Law results in the death of an individual, all participants in the offense shall be sentenced to death."

The law prohibits any individual from causing the failure of the multi-party democratic general election processes, or any part thereof, by speaking, saying, organizing, inciting, protesting, or distributing written materials through any means.

Furthermore, the law forbids direct or indirect actions such as threatening, obstructing, or using undue influence, or voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt, with the intent to:

▪️Prevent a voter from casting their ballot.

▪️Prevent a presiding officer, polling station member, or any person assigned by the commission or sub-commission from performing their duties.

▪️Prevent any election commission or sub-commission member from performing their duties.

▪️Prevent a parliamentary (Hluttaw) candidate from campaigning in accordance with the law.

The law also prohibits anyone from willfully destroying, damaging, or causing loss to ballot papers, ballot boxes, voting machines, equipment, and accessories by any means.

Additionally, it bans the destruction, damage, or causing of loss to election commission offices, sub-commission offices, polling stations, buildings used as polling stations, or buildings where ballot papers, ballot boxes, voting machines, equipment, and accessories are stored, by any means.

The law further stipulates that anyone who attempts to commit any offense under this law, conspires to commit it, or aids and abets in its commission shall be liable to the same penalty prescribed for the original offense.

Under this law, penalties range from a minimum of three years imprisonment to a maximum of the death penalty, depending on the offense committed.

Multi-party democratic general elections are planned to be held in Myanmar between December of this year and January 2026. Some organizations and individuals have openly stated their intent to disrupt the elections.

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NAYPYITAW, Myanmar – July 25, 2025 – Timor-Leste is actively engaging with Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) government in a diplomatic effort to gain its support for full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

On July 24, 2025, Mr. Olandino Ruide Andrade, Chargé d'affaires of the Timor-Leste Embassy in Yangon, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Naypyitaw. During his visit, he met with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ko Ko Kyaw to discuss Timor-Leste's aspiration to become an ASEAN member.

According to a statement released by the SAC, Mr. Andrade conveyed Timor-Leste's desire to secure the encouragement and support of all ASEAN member states for its accession. He reportedly assured the Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister that Timor-Leste is committed to upholding all provisions of the ASEAN Charter.

Mr. Andrade also expressed Timor-Leste's wish to establish good relations with all ASEAN member countries, including Myanmar. He reiterated Timor-Leste's eagerness to strengthen friendly ties between the two nations and extended an invitation for Myanmar to open an embassy in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste.

In response, Myanmar's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs emphasized that Timor-Leste's pursuit of ASEAN membership must align with the ASEAN Charter. He also stressed the importance of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states.

The Deputy Minister stated that Myanmar was pleased to learn of Timor-Leste's desire to enhance bilateral relations. He also acknowledged Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister's reported interest in visiting Myanmar. U Ko Ko Kyaw affirmed that Myanmar actively participates in ASEAN community-building initiatives and the leadership of the ASEAN Chair, in line with its foreign policy.

The SAC statement further noted that Deputy Minister U Ko Ko Kyaw highlighted a recent positive discussion between the Myanmar delegation and Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related gatherings, where both sides explored ways to improve bilateral relations.

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar – July 25, 2025 – Myanmar military forces (The Tatmadaw) has successfully regained control and reopened the Kyondoe-Kawkareik Union Highway, which had been blocked by combined forces of the Karen National Union (KNU), Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), and People's Defense Forces (PDF).

Since early April 2024, these combined groups had launched significant offensives aiming to fully capture Kawkareik town and local military headquarters. They advanced on two fronts: from the north through Kaung-hmu, Yankut, and Kyaung Shar Kon villages along the old Kawkareik- Thingannyinaung road, and from the south via Lan Pha-Asun-Tamile Kon. The town also endured heavy artillery shelling from distant positions, causing substantial damage to government buildings and residential areas. Many local residents were forced to flee to safer locations.

To reopen these routes and enable the normal flow of vehicle traffic, Tatmadaw columns commenced operations on April 13, 2025. Over a three-month operational period between Kyondoe and Kawkareik, seven major battles and 85 skirmishes occurred with the "terrorist insurgents." During these engagements, the Tatmadaw recovered 17 bodies, 30 assorted weapons, and related equipment from the enemy, with some enemy leaders sustaining severe injuries. While some Tatmadaw personnel were also injured or killed, the Kyondoe-Kawkareik road was successfully reopened on July 24.

Along the highway, efforts are underway to ensure safe and normal passage for local residents, travelers, and cargo and passenger vehicles. Reconstruction and mine-clearing operations are being conducted on roads and bridges destroyed by the "terrorist insurgents." Plans are also in motion to swiftly clear remaining sections of the Asia Highway to fully reopen the route from Myawaddy. Concurrently, the State Administration Council (SAC) Information Team announced that second-phase rehabilitation efforts for Kyondoe and Kawkareik towns, along with law enforcement, stability, and territorial control operations in surrounding villages, will continue.

Kawkareik, located in Kawkareik District, Karen State, is a strategically important economic hub situated on the Hpa-An-Myawaddy highway. It is approximately 41 miles from Myawaddy, a border town with Thailand, and lies on the key Asia Highway crucial for trade. Kawkareik serves as a major intersection, providing good road connections to Myawaddy, Hpa-An, Mawlamyine, and Kyainseikgyi.

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July 23, 2025, Mandalay - The Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw) has announced that it has fully recaptured and brought under control Thabeikkyin Town in the Thabeikkyin District of Mandalay Region today, July 23. This information was released by the State Administration Council (SAC) Information Team.

According to the statement, Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw) columns initiated a counter-terrorism operation within Thabeikkyin Township, which was previously controlled by terrorist insurgents. They began clearing the area around the battalion headquarters and subsequently gained ground through successive counter-attacks.

As a result of this operation, the Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw) successfully recaptured 6 Mile Village on June 30, 2025, followed by 5 Mile Village on July 5, and 4 Mile Village along with a nearby tower hill on July 17. Today, July 23, the Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw) has completely regained control of Thabeikkyin Town.

Thabeikkyin, a strategically important town, had been under attack by terrorist organizations, specifically the TNLA and PDF-affiliated groups, since August 18, 2024. These groups, advancing from Mohnyin and Mogok townships, launched large-scale assaults on Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw) outposts, battalions, and towns/villages within Thabeikkyin Township.

During the 11-month operation, 17 major battles and 45 skirmishes occurred with the terrorist insurgents. The Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw) reportedly recovered 51 bodies of enemy combatants and seized 112 assorted weapons along with related equipment.

Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw) columns have now begun mine-clearing operations within Thabeikkyin Town to ensure the safe return of local residents who were temporarily displaced. Authorities are urging displaced residents who wish to return to their homes and resume their livelihoods to report systematically to the relevant security teams.

Furthermore, the respective regional government is working with departmental staff to quickly resume government administrative functions, schools, and hospitals.

Thabeikkyin Town is located on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River and serves as a port town. It borders cities in Kachin State, Sagaing Region, and northern Shan State.

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Yangon, Myanmar – July 23, 2025 – Myanmar Police Force announced a major bust of a drug trafficking ring operating via maritime routes, seizing over 48.4 billion Myanmar Kyats (MMK) worth of psychotropic drugs in Insein Township.

On July 12, at 6:30 PM, a joint team from the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, acting on intelligence, raided a rented house in Kyoekone East Ward, Insein Township. They apprehended Zaw Zaw Lwin with 1,875 kg of ICE (methamphetamine), valued at an estimated 46.875 billion MMK, and 1.6 million ecstasy pills with a local street value of 1.6 billion MMK. A Toyota Dyna vehicle was also seized at the scene.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Nay Myo Kyaw at 7:00 PM the same day on Parami Road in Hlaing Township (Ward 16). Nay Myo Kyaw was identified as the individual who transferred the seized psychotropic drugs.

Continuing the operation, on July 15, Kyi Phyu (aka Kyaw Win Htay) and Zaw Min Naing, who were responsible for transporting the psychotropic drugs and had fled towards Dawei, were apprehended near Nyaung Khashay Village in Waw Township, along with a KLUGER vehicle. It was revealed that Kyi Phyu (aka Kyaw Win Htay) was also a wanted fugitive in another drug-related case.

Later that day, at 4:30 PM, Soe Lin Paing (aka Lin Lin), who was responsible for transporting the psychotropic drugs by sea to Malaysian waters, was arrested at Nawaday Bridge in Pyay Township. The following day, July 16, at 10:30 AM, Ye Tun (aka Pae Nin aka Phoe Tha Gi), the owner of the motorboat used to transport drugs from the mouth of the Yangon River to Malaysian waters, was apprehended in Pathein Gyi Township. Ye Tun was also found to be a wanted fugitive for a previous drug offense.

Similarly, on July 17, at 4:30 PM, Thein Than Htay (aka Zaw Zaw Aung aka Ngay Htay), the owner of the Aung Ratana motorboat responsible for transporting psychotropic drugs to the mouth of the Yangon River, along with Kyaw Swar Min (aka Min Min) and Myo Tun (aka Ko Tun), were individually arrested in Mingalardon Township.

All arrested individuals have been charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. Authorities are continuing to investigate and identify additional accomplices.

The Myanmar Police Force stated that this drug trafficking ring had repeatedly engaged in the illicit trade of narcotics and psychotropic drugs using maritime routes for international transport. Efforts are underway to confiscate their assets and financial gains derived from these illegal activities under the Anti-Money Laundering Law, with the aim of seizing them as public property.

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Naung Cho (NAWNGHKIO) – July 21, 2025

Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Vice Senior General Soe Win, today urged the local ethnic residents of Naung Cho to cooperate with the Tatmadaw (Myanmar's armed forces) as it works to fully restore security and the rule of law in the town and its surrounding villages.

The Vice Senior General made the remarks during a visit to Naung Cho in northern Shan State on July 21. His visit included meeting with and honoring officers and soldiers who participated in the recent operations, inspecting the public hospital and schools damaged by terrorist insurgents, and holding a coordination meeting with departmental officials and local residents to address their needs.

"It is the responsibility of our Tatmadaw to ensure the safety and socioeconomic recovery of the people in Naung Cho Township," he stated. He explained that the military launched "Operation Aung Zeya," a counter-terrorism operation, from the Taung Khan (Tawnghkam) military base. He praised the troops for their relentless perseverance and determination, quoting their daily pledge to sacrifice their lives for the nation, its citizens, and the Tatmadaw, which he said led to the successful recapture and celebration of victory in Naung Cho.

The Vice Senior General clarified that the military had to conduct a phased withdrawal from the Naung Cho area, extending to the Taung Khan region and the Pyin Oo Lwin- Naung Cho township border, due to assistance provided to the opposing forces, which included advanced technology, encouragement, and support from behind the scenes.

He conveyed a primary directive from the Prime Minister: following the Tatmadaw's recapture of Naung Cho, the immediate priority is to reopen the basic education schools that have been closed for nearly a year. "In today's era of knowledge, academic education is essential for acquiring vocational skills," he said, emphasizing the need for students to return to their studies in a peaceful and happy environment.

Earlier in the day, Vice Senior General Soe Win attended a ceremony at the township hall to honor the victorious officers and soldiers. He commended them for upholding the proud traditions of the Tatmadaw and for bravely fighting with a "never-surrender" spirit to reclaim the town, thereby enhancing the military's prestige.

During the ceremony, he and Lieutenant General Naing Naing Oo from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) presented promotions to soldiers who had distinguished themselves on the battlefield.

Following the ceremony, the delegation visited a temporary hospital established jointly by the Tatmadaw and the Ministry of Health at the Mya Nan Taw Win Mingalar Hall. They met with and offered words of encouragement to local residents receiving medical care, distributing financial aid to the people and bonuses to the healthcare staff.

The Vice Senior General and his entourage also paid a visit to the HorTaw Monastery in the Southern Ward of Naung Cho. They paid their respects to the presiding monk and other members of the Sangha, offering Waso robes, cash donations for Navakamma, and other offertories. He informed the monks of the plans to swiftly restore and enhance the development of Naung Cho to a level exceeding its previous state of peace and prosperity, and discussed religious affairs and the health of the Sangha.

The presiding monk expressed his great joy at the Tatmadaw's success in retaking the town and offered blessings for the continued success and safety of all Tatmadaw personnel.

The report concluded by noting that the Vice Senior General and his team also inspected the Naung Cho Public Hospital, the Fire Services Department office, the No. (1) Basic Education High School, and the Naung Cho Myoma Police Station.

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