1. During the interview, DVB asked U Soe Thura Tun, Minister of Electricity and Energy, National Unity Government the upcoming plans of the newly established Ministry of Electricity and Energy. The minister responded by laying out the five-point policy as follows.

The Minister’s response: First and foremost, we must try to lessen the burden weighing on the people which were caused initially by the COVID pandemic and later by the coup. Most obvious example is our effort to reducing electricity bills. In fact, this isn’t a new policy. This had been implemented since the time of the people’s government in accordance with the speech given by the State Counsellor. The CRPH, established after the coup, had further reduced the electricity bill. Despite this, electricity bills are being collected from people. While some people defied bravely by not paying, there are also those who have yielded to the pressure by paying bills. We will need to monitor the situation properly and continue to keep pressure on respective departments.

Second, people are concerned that public services and foreign investment would be severed, which is also a concern of foreign investors. We will continue to make efforts not to disrupt public services such as distribution of electricity, oil and natural gas, and fuel. We have already announced that we will not endorse any of the foreign investments made after February 1, 2021, and that the Ministry of Electricity and Energy will abide by the agreements and continue implementation of the existing projects prior to the coup.

Third, citizens are the rightful owners of our natural resources and all matters concerning extractive industries particularly oil and natural gas belong to the citizens and the future generations. We will continue our efforts to make sure these resources will not fall into the hands of the military junta.

Fourth, we will support the CDM staff who have stood with our ministry. Having received a lot of facts and data concerning these staff, we are contemplating providing salaries to the CDM staff as of February, as soon as possible. We will also take into consideration the insurance for their future.

Fifth, to develop policy for a long-term strategy for the future of our country. Although there was a national policy on electricity and energy sectors since 2013-2014, these policies need to be updated to keep abreast with the current times. Some sections need to be reviewed and revised, to make it pragmatic and operational, and feasible for foreign investors, as well as beneficial for the people.

2. DVB asked: We understand that in the current situation, leaders of the NUG have established ministries and are providing services to people from exile amidst difficulties. If your ministry were to operate in accordance with the five policies as explained above, what additional difficulties would you anticipate in implementing the ministry’s projects?

The Minister’s response: First, we must start the office establishment. Staff have actively participated and the CDM staff have helped by contemplating and suggesting various means of operationalization. We discussed and negotiated with them back and forth through internet. Staff’s experience of virtual meetings throughout the COVID period has its advantages although there are still many difficulties and challenges. If the defiance against our guidance on these matters continues, we will engage with international partners to put these to a stop. In addition to our efforts through diplomatic channels, we will also coordinate with the ministry of planning and finance. Since the collection of electricity bills had been handed to the private sector, there are institutional challenges. We will continue our efforts to overcome these difficulties in order to relieve burden off the people. Our intention is to prevent the funds of the international energy sector from falling into the hands of the military junta. We are not proposing that these funds be given to us, and we do not intend to do so in future. As a government, we must work hard to secure funds. We will continue to work hard to achieve our objectives effectively.

3. DVB asked: Based on the points made by the minister regarding the projects approved by the previous government before Feb 1; efforts being made to prevent tax income from these projects and other joint ventures from falling into the hands of the military council; DVB would like to know the NUG’s plan to deal with the taxes, funds and government budget that have already gone into the hands of the military council. If in case the NUG were reinstated as a government, how could the business owners reimburse those taxes?

The Minister’s response: We were in position since the time when the CRPH made substitutions for the vacant ministries, that was before the establishment of the NUG. Paying tax this way will not make any contribution to the people of Myanmar and therefore cannot be acknowledged. We can only acknowledge those tax incomes that are received by the people. We found that those tax incomes are being used to buy weapons and to fund armed violence, instead of financing construction, irrigation and agriculture sectors as they used to be. The tax income that these businesses have paid do more harm to people therefore we will not acknowledge it.

4. DVB asked: After 1 February, the military council has appointed a military leader in the place of the chairman of the Investment Commission. In addition, there are projects that have been approved after the coup. How would the NUG deal with the situation and the projects once the NUG reclaims power?

The Minister’s response: We have already made clear that we will not acknowledge any investment in businesses that took place after 1 February – in particular, those related to oil and natural gas, and energy - as far as my ministry is concerned. We will put them to a stop even if these businesses have started to operate. Everyone is aware that current conditions cannot provide an enabling environment of any investment. To give some examples: difficulties in the legal front to solve matters such as compensation for land replacement; inability to assess public acceptability or cost-benefit; difficulties in coordinating with other ministries for instance with the port authority in issues concerning the port, and other management challenges; staff joining CDM; inability to undertake socio-economic impact assessment or make environmental and social management plans; nor to organize public hearings. We believe that, at this point in time, no business plan can be ethical since it is extremely difficult for the public to independently scrutinize those business plan and voice their opinion publicly.

5. DVB asked: Since the NUG has designated the minister to the current position, had the minister sent letters to each and every investment company, objecting collaboration with the military council? Has the ministry started implementation of any communication plan?

The Minister’s response: We are currently in the follow-up phase since we have already sent direct messages to companies who have invested in natural gas since the previous government. We have also communicated in writing with the previous Ministry of Planning and Finance and the Ministry of Industry, as well as the banks which transfer accounts. We have continued these activities until now as the NUG, and it seems we will have to directly communicate and follow up with the oil companies as well.

6. DVB asked: We would like to know where you’re at in terms of collaboration with respective ministries from other countries.

The Minister’s response: Not only private companies but also those from governmental sector have made investments in our country. For example, Tanaing PPEP is a government company, so is Pepsodent. Similarly, a part of Protel is owned by the French government. They are not like the MOGE in our country. Since these above-mentioned companies also have public shares, we have to deal directly yet separately with the government, at the same time, coordinate with all stakeholders involved in the business – in order to get commitment to an agreement.

7. DVB asked: What kind of outcome do you expect?

The Minister’s response: We will try our best. In terms of legitimacy, it is obvious that the current military council is not a de jure government. It can’t even be a de facto government since it doesn’t have the ability to govern and stabilize the country, unlike the previous military governments in the last 30 years, who had managed to govern the country to some extent. Even though a de facto government is not lawful, it could become a government which can govern and stabilize the country. Whereas the present military council is at the same level with terrorists. We believe that everyone both within the country and abroad will accept and believe the fact that we are dealing with a military group who are on par with terrorists, and that we will keep trying to achieve our goal.

8. DVB asked: Since the military council is ruling the country with arms, most people feel threatened and insecure. On the other hand, even if people do support the NUG, the NUG is not yet in the position to protect the people. In such situation, how much do you expect people will collaborate with you in line with the statement and policies of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, and in what form people will participate?

The Minister’s response: We are aware that we cannot protect everyone yet, however you would have heard of the protection measures we have taken. People’s motivation is significantly serious this time compared to our revolution in 1988. That time, the army could shoot to quell the protests within three days. Afterwards, public service personnel would go back to work on their own within one month. This time, people have been still resisting for four months. We have no doubt people will continue to participate despite all the risks.

DVB asked: If, at this time, people start to believe that the NUG could not fulfill their hopes, what form of change would the Myanmar Spring Revolution take?

The Minister’s response: We will try best by all means. The NUG and the CRPH constitute experts with international experience, and many come from sectors which directly engage with people. And there are ethnic organization leaders in the NUG and CRPH. We strongly believe we will definitely succeed. Similar to the spring revolution that had brought Arab spring, any dictator will follow their destiny at the end. We believe our efforts will result in good outcome.

9. DVB asked: What is your take on the ASEAN’s position on Myanmar?

The minister’s response: Economic projects, electricity, and oil and natural gas projects require long term investment of 30 to 50 years. ASEAN countries and people will only benefit from long term sustainable investment. Businesses will not succeed when they had to stop operation because of the public rejection. I am telling this from the perspective of our ministry. Similarly in politics and economy, I believe all undertakings that are not sustainable cannot proceed till the end. Therefore, we will strive to return people’s power into their own hands, and meanwhile, will remain observant of the ASEAN’s position.

10. DVB asked: Is there anything the minister wish to add?

The Minister’s response: I don’t have much to add since this is a new ministry which is only a few days old. We will try our very best for the success of the People’s Spring Revolution and work hard for the future generations, like we had done in the past five years. We always welcome people’s advice and criticism.

11. DVB thanked U Soe Thura Tun, the Union Minister of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, for taking the time for the interview. The minister, in return, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to provide information to the people, thanks to the news media.