YANGON, Myanmar, August 5, 2025- The National Defence and Security Council announced that Pro Tem President U Myint Swe's health is in a concerning state, and he is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

According to the statement, Pro Tem President U Myint Swe was readmitted to the 1,000-bed Military Hospital No. 2 on July 24, 2025, due to a decline in his health, including weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, and reduced alertness, which occurred in July.

The Pro Tem President has previously received medical treatment for Parkinson's disease and related neurological disorders. He was treated at Mount Elizabeth Medical Center in Singapore from April 15 to 19, 2024, and then at the 1,000-bed Military Hospital No. 2 from May 27 to June 18, 2024.

After his discharge, a special medical team led by Union Minister of Health Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win continued to monitor and treat U Myint Swe.

However, as his condition did not improve, he was granted medical leave to rest and receive treatment at home starting from July 18, 2024. His health subsequently deteriorated, necessitating his return to the hospital.

Due to Pro Tem President Myint Swe's health-related leave from the National Defence and Security Council, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been serving as the Pro Tem President (On Duty) on the council.

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July 31, 2025, Nay Pyi Taw-The National Defense and Security Council has declared a state of emergency in 63 townships across nine regions and states with Order No. 1/2025, which holds the force of law.

The order states that this declaration is to effectively suppress armed terrorist violence and to establish regional stability, peace, and the rule of law.

The townships where a state of emergency has been declared are as follows: 5 townships in Kachin State, 3 in Kayah State, 2 in Kayin State, 7 in Chin State, 9 in Sagaing Region, 5 in Magway Region, 3 in Mandalay Region, 14 in Rakhine State, and 15 in Shan State.

The full declaration (unofficial translation) is as follows:

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar

National Defense and Security Council

Declaration of State of Emergency

Order No. 1/2025 with the Force of Law

7th Wakhong Waxing Day, 1387 ME

(July 31, 2025)

For the purpose of effectively suppressing armed terrorist violence and establishing regional stability, peace, and the rule of law, the following townships in the respective regions and states are declared under a state of emergency in accordance with Section 412(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (2008):

(a) Kachin State

(1) Sumprabum Township

(2) Shwegu Township

(3) Injangyang Township

(4) Sawlaw Township

(5) Chipwi Township

(b) Kayah State

(1) Shartaw Township

(2) Phasaung Township

(3) Mese Township

(c) Kayin State

(1) Kawkareik Township

(2) Kyainseikgyi Township

(d) Chin State

(1) Kanpetlet Township

(2) Htantalang Township

(3) Paletwa Township

(4) Tonzang Township

(5) Mindat Township

(6) Matupi Township

(7) Falam Township

(e) Sagaing Region

(1) Htigyaing Township

(2) Kawlin Township

(3) Pinlebu Township

(4) Khin-U Township

(5) Wetlet Township

(6) Kani Township

(7) Depayin Township

(8) Pale Township

(9) Indaw Township

(f) Magway Region

(1) Pauk Township

(2) Myaing Township

(3) Saw Township

(4) Htilin Township

(5) Yesagyo Township

(g) Mandalay Region

(1) Mogok Township

(2) Singu Township

(3) Ngazun Township

(h) Rakhine State

(1) Ramree Township

(2) Pauktaw Township

(3) Ponnagyun Township

(4) Rathedaung Township

(5) Gwa Township

(6) Maungdaw Township

(7) Buthidaung Township

(8) Kyauktaw Township

(9) Minbya Township

(10) Myebon Township

(11) Mrauk-U Township

(12) Thandwe Township

(13) Ann Township

(14) Taungup Township

(i) Shan State

(1) Namatu Township

(2) Mabain Township

(3) Kutkai Township

(4) Namhkam Township

(5) Theinni Township

(6) Kunlong Township

(7) Namhsan Township

(8) Mantong Township

(9) Hopang Township

(10) Laukkai Township

(11) Konkyan Township

(12) Momate Township

(13) Kyaukme Township

(14) Hsipaw Township

(15) Mongla Township

2. This order shall remain in effect for ninety (90) days from today.

Signed

Min Aung Hlaing

Senior General

Acting President (Duty)

Naypyidaw, Myanmar – The National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has announced the revocation of the order that transferred state power to the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. This decision, issued as Order No. 1/2025 and dated July 31, 2025, comes as the Commander-in-Chief submitted a report confirming the completion of the duties assigned to him under the declared state of emergency.

The following is an unofficial English translation of the National Defence and Security Council's Order No. 1/2025."

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar

National Defence and Security Council

Order No. 1 /2025

7th Wakhong Waxing Day, 1387 ME

(July 31, 2025)

Revocation of the Order Transferring State Power

Regarding the declaration of a state of emergency and the transfer of state power to the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services in accordance with Sections 417 and 418 of the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the National Defence and Security Council has received and accepted the report from the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services stating that he has completed the duties assigned to him. Therefore, the National Defence and Security Council hereby revokes Order No. 1/2021, dated February 1, 2021, of the Office of the President, which transferred state power to the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.

Signed

Min Aung Hlaing

Senior General

Acting President (Duty)

NAY PYI TAW, 30 July 2025 – Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) and Prime Minister, stated that Myanmar has moved past the first page of its journey and is now at the beginning of the second page. He made these remarks to SAC members and government officials.

The Senior General’s comments came during a commendation ceremony for the SAC, held today, July 30, at the Ice Mountain Hall, Zeyarthiri Beikman, in Nay Pyi Taw.

"I express my gratitude to all colleagues present for their collective efforts in overcoming various challenges and bringing us to the current situation over the past four and a half years," the Senior General said. "I also urge everyone to continue working together to ensure success in the journey ahead," he added.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing used a metaphor, saying, "The nation’s journey ahead is still long, and if we can write beautifully and achieve success at the beginning of this second page, I believe our efforts in facing countless challenges will be even more worthwhile."

He elaborated on Myanmar's past political history, the military’s reasons for assuming state duties, the joint efforts to overcome difficulties and serve the nation, and the necessary steps to successfully hold the general election.

"Despite difficulties and crises, we have managed to return to the current situation, and by learning from these experiences, we have laid a good foundation for the next government," the Senior General stated.

Reports indicate that a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) is scheduled for July 31. During this meeting, the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services is expected to submit a report confirming the completion of duties assigned under Section 426 of the Constitution.

The commendation ceremony for the State Administration Council, attended by various levels of government officials, took place one day prior to the upcoming NDSC meeting.

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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.