Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, Minister of Education and Health in the National Unity Government (NUG), has revealed that the territory controlled by revolutionary forces in Myanmar now exceeds the size of Malaysia, and that Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs) fundamentally agree on the need for a transitional government. He explained that the current area under revolutionary control is larger than Malaysia, with agricultural and livestock operations functioning normally, and revolutionary forces having freedom of movement throughout these areas, except during air attacks.
Myanmar’s total area is 261,228 square miles, while Malaysia covers 127,724 square miles, making Malaysia approximately half the size of Myanmar. In the territories controlled by revolutionary forces, agricultural and livestock farming operations are running normally, and revolutionary forces can move freely except during aerial attacks. Dr. Zaw Wai Soe confirmed that these controlled areas are functioning as normal sovereign territory, with the only limitation being vulnerability to air strikes.
Ethnic revolutionary organizations have reached a basic consensus on the necessity of a transitional government and accept that interim arrangements are needed before the establishment of a federal democratic state. However, further military and political progress is required to reach this stage. While there was minimal territorial control in 2021, revolutionary forces have now expanded their presence in Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Northern Shan, Karenni, Karen, and mainland regions. The minister emphasized that this territorial control provides a foundation for establishing transitional governance structures.
Dr. Zaw Wai Soe urged Myanmar’s people and all revolutionary forces to increase their military and political efforts to achieve the complete elimination of the military dictatorship and establish a transitional government. As the first NUG minister to return from abroad to the country’s interior, he has directly observed the revolution’s successes on the ground. His firsthand experience has allowed him to confirm the extensive territorial control maintained by revolutionary forces and the functioning of civil administration in these areas, marking significant progress in the struggle against the military regime.
