U Nu - Morality Speeches

Prime Minister U Nu's appeal

At this opportunity, I would like to appeal to the entire public. I would like to appeal to the responsible people in particular. The three groups I lead are fighting corruption with all their might not because we are bloodthirsty. We are not happy about the arrests. We are not just doing it for fun. We firmly believe that if we do not eliminate this corruption in time, our Union will sink into the deep waters, so we are fighting it with all our might according to this belief.

From a speech by Prime Minister U Nu at the 1956 Three-Year Anniversary Conference.

Introduction

Good people make a good country. There is no need to elaborate on the fact that bad people make a bad country. It is a clear and obvious fact that everyone can understand.

If we look at history, ancient Rome, Greece, Spain, etc., all collapsed. Even in our own time, the Chiang Kai-shek government in China collapsed. It can be seen that the main reason for this collapse was the weakness of the internal moral strength and the weakness of the head.

Especially in times of great wars and the breakdown of human society, moral strength is often low. Morality was also broken after the First World War. It became even worse after the Second World War. This kind of breakdown has even affected the Union of Myanmar. Only if the entire country can prevent this great danger in time can it escape the situation of ancient Rome and the situation of modern China under Chiang Kai-shek.

Seeing this situation, the Union Government enacted the Special Investigation Act to quickly suppress and eliminate the corruption and irregularities that were spreading in the Union, established the Special Investigation Department, and on December 17, 1952, the members and senior officers of the Special Investigation Department were sworn in and given powers.

At the ceremony, Prime Minister Thakin Nu warned the nation, “The moral structure of our Union is in a very serious state.” The Prime Minister, Agga Maha Sri Sithu Saba Oo, gave a moral sermon, saying, “Do not accept bribes, do not be afraid, do not show favoritism, and do not act in anger.”

Parliament Speaker Thato Thiri Sudhamma U Mya also said that the people who are pursuing the four evils are cannibalistic monsters pretending to be human. These people are monsters who are eating and drinking the blood of the people of the Union.

Minister of Home Affairs and Religious Affairs U Win said, “When an oath is broken, no matter what you say, it is a disaster. When an oath is broken, it is not only you who are broken, but the entire country as a whole.”

Commander-in-Chief General Ne Win, who said, “Do not choose between big and small faces. Do not abuse the power entrusted to you. Act with deliberation and consideration, and do not make mistakes.” These are words of advice that are aimed at the benefit of the nation.

These words are of particular importance to keep in mind, to reflect upon, and to leave a clear path for future generations, so I have compiled them all into a book.