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Myanmar's New Year, which fell on Sunday, was highlighted by pledges of both President U Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to build the country with a high level of political and economic development.
In their New Year messages to the nation after a five-day water festival, U Htin Kyaw called on his countrymen to cooperate with the government to ensure success in administration efforts and Suu Kyi vowed to start building a new change from the new year while abiding by policies and principles of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD).
Both leaders reiterated NLD's policies and principles as to ensure national reconciliation, peace, rule of law and amendment to the constitution that aim to establish a democratic federal union and promote the social life of the people.
President U Htin Kyaw invited criticism to point out discrepancies and fallacies, and make suggestion to what ought to be done.
Suu Kyi insisted that a democratically elected government is responsible for all citizens, being fair and square to everybody, and harboring loving kindness and compassion toward all.
For the sake of national reconciliation and rule of law, the president showed leniency and magnanimity by granting amnesty to 83 prisoners on the New Year.
Ahead of the New Year and the water festival, a total of 199 prisoners, including political activists and students facing trial connected with politics, had been released across the country, thanks to efforts made by State Counselor Suu Kyi.
In addition, 2,178 other prisoners, who were granted cut of prison terms on the New Year, were also released.
The anmesty was the first after the new government took office in early April.
Suu Kyi, in her speech to the nation, spoke of peace which she said cannot be built without the rule of law, expressing no intention to abandon the activities and policies of the previous regime.
As for the domestic peace process, Suu Kyi highly appreciated the ceasefire initiative, calling for inclusion in the ceasefire accord of those organizations deemed appropriate.
Emphasizing the need for constitutional amendment for a genuine and federal democratic union, Suu Kyi said the government will choose ways and means that would not adversely affect national peace which is the principle that the NLD sticks to.
She stressed the importance of the basic principle No. 4 of the constitution - the sovereign power endowed by the countrymen.
With regard to the natural resources, Suu Kyi said what really counts is the strengthen of people but not resources because they can be depletable someday, citing some small countries with scant resources which are seen achieving economic miracles.
In face of numerous challenges, Suu Kyi said the country has a lot of things to change and transform, calling for participation and cooperation of all the people.
Citing an old saying of her father General Aung San in the aftermath of the World War II, she said "the world is developing very fast and Myanmar needs much greater effort to catch up."
She said she wants Myanmar people to stand tall among the world nations looking proud to be Myanmars wherever they go.
"We have to strive hard for that. When we pleaded for popular support, We didn't give an easy promise. We have never said our country will prosper overnight," she added.
Talking about Myanmar's foreign policy, Suu Kyi highlighted that since the country's independence in 1948, Myanmar has maintained good relations with all parts of the world.
"We have no idea of ignoring the people from the old regime. We want everybody who can bring benefit to the country to join our hands," she said.
Suu Kyi pointed out that the country would be ruled based on loving kindness and loyalty which she explained that the countrymen will be loved and the government will be loyal to the country.
The new government took office on April 1 after Suu Kyi-led NLD won an absolute majority of parliamentary seats in the Nov. 8 general election.
