Motorcycle riding will not be allowed for the time being in Tuntay, Dala, Kawhmu, Kawhchanhkone townships in Tuntay District, Yangon Region, due to security reasons

Motorcycle riding will not be allowed for the time being in Tuntay, Dala, Kawhmu, and Kawhchanhkone townships within Tuntay District, Yangon Region, due to security reasons, said Major General Win Tint, Minister of Security and Border Affairs of the Yangon Region Government. During the Yangon Region Hluttaw meeting held on August 31, Daw Sandar Win, the Hluttaw representative for Constituency No. 2 of Kawhchanhkone Township, asked a question regarding the legal permission for motorcycle riding in Kawhchanhkone Township. In response to this question, Major General Win Tint, Minister of Security and Border Affairs of the Yangon Region Government, made the aforementioned statement. Daw Sandar Win, the representative for Constituency No. 2 of Kawhchanhkone Township, stated during her question that until before 2021, motorcycles were primarily used as a means of transport for going to farms, for picking up and dropping off children at school, and for going to hospitals and clinics. Furthermore, Daw Sandar Win stated that for transporting small goods, using motorcycles is much more cost-effective than hiring other vehicles, and it greatly aids their daily lives. She asked whether there are plans to allow motorcycles to be legally ridden in Kawhchanhkone Township to help promote the development of the local people's lives, as some motorcycles are currently seen being ridden in the township, which has now returned to a normal situation. Regarding this question, the Minister of Security and Border Affairs of the Yangon Region Government stated that in Kawhchanhkone Township, which is outside the Yangon City Development Committee's jurisdiction, motorcycles were primarily used in areas with poor transportation in the past. However, starting from February 1, 2021, armed groups have carried out acts of terrorism, shootings, and bombings using motorcycles against ward and village administrators, village elders, and the general public, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries among administrators and innocent civilians. Due to these acts of terrorism, the Township General Administration Department issued a local order on July 28, 2022, prohibiting motorcycle riding in Kawhchanhkone Township and stating that strict legal action would be taken against those who do not comply. This order remains in effect to this day without being rescinded, the Minister of Security and Border Affairs stated. Given the ongoing terrorist situation, motorcycle riding has been temporarily banned. During the period of temporary prohibition of motorcycle riding, it has been observed that mini-OWEs are being used for easy and quick travel within the townships, the Minister of Security and Border Affairs said. "If motorcycle riding is allowed in Kawhchanhkone Township, there is a possibility of illegally imported unlicensed motorcycles being used, which could threaten security and the rule of law again. There is a risk to the lives of civil servants and village administrators. Problems of traffic accidents and congestion could increase. Due to reckless driving, traffic accidents could increase, potentially harming the lives, homes, and property of the public," the Minister of Security and Border Affairs said. Therefore, due to the local order prohibiting motorcycle riding in Tuntay, Dala, Kawhmu, and Kawhchanhkone townships within Tuntay District, allowing legal motorcycle riding in Kawhchanhkone Township would create security vulnerabilities. Based on the feedback from the relevant regional security organizations, motorcycle riding cannot be permitted for security reasons at this time, the Minister of Security and Border Affairs stated.