On January 1, Notable Myanmar officials delivered New Year’s messages to the people of Myanmar on the official website of the President’s Office. The following are excerpts:
President U Thein Sein:
“I am confident that the year 2016 will create golden opportunities, both in politics and economics. However, seizing these opportunities requires unusual effort. 
“People must be involved in the political process to achieve success in democratic reforms, to ensure sustainable peace, to guarantee freedom for each and every citizen, to ensure equal protection by the law and to promote the quality of life. All citizens are required to exert effort, preserving the patriotic spirit and being willing to be involved in nation-building tasks, performing whatever duties assigned on them. I make an earnest request to each and every citizen to struggle hard to achieve correct thinking. I wish all the people of Myanmar great success.”
Vice President Dr. Sai Mauk Kham
“I wish all the Myanmar people physical and mental well-being. May the year 2016 witness the cessation of armed conflicts in certain states, and may people in all regions enjoy peace and tranquility. 
I would also like to wish the national reconciliation process a success. May this process meet with success through political means.”
Vice President U Nyan Tun
“I would like to point out that only when peace and tranquility prevail throughout the country will the entire populace of indigenous people born within the Union be able to enjoy the fruits of national development. Moreover, only when there is equality among the national races will all nationalities be able to enjoy peace and prosperity.”
Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
“I would like to greet, on behalf of the entire Tatmadaw, all indigenous people on this auspicious occasion of New Year 2016 by wishing you physical and mental well-being. The Tatmadaw, for its part, has emphasized stability, unity and development, which are essential to the country, and is cooperating with the government to create unity.
“The year 2016 is a year of significance in which strengthening of the democratic the system and accelerating the development process are to be made. 
“The Tatmadaw, following the tradition of performing national duties, will cooperate, as assigned by the Constitution, with the new government, as well as with the people. I would like to emphasize that the Tatmadaw will continue to cooperate with the indigenous people in a united spirit to ensure a more stable, peaceful and prosperous nation in 2016.” 
Daw Aung San Su Kyi, chairperson of National League for Democracy
“In the time of the New Year, people give presents to friends and acquaintances. I would like our people to ponder individually what kind of New Year present they will give to their Union. What is required by the nation? It needs peace, unity and development. I believe each citizen has the right to fulfill these needs and has the ability to do so. That being so, my New Year message is for each and every individual to think over what kind of auspicious gift they will give to their country and their Union. I want you to review what you have done in the past year and think over what you need to do based on your review. 
“Working for the nation will never end. You are all needed to work for it every day. I wish you physical and mental well-being, freedom from danger, fulfilling your dreams, and on top of that, I hope you will all bring the appropriate gifts for the development of the Union as well as for peace and prosperity.”
Lower House Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann
“I wish everyone peace, happiness, freedom from all sorts of danger and the preservation of loving kindness toward one another. Nowadays, people can set a higher hope of a change for the better, feeling secure both physically and mentally. I hope you all will cooperate and coordinate among yourselves in performing whatever tasks are assigned to you. I wish you all to become good citizens who will promote the image of your motherland.”
Upper House Speaker U Khin Aung Myint
 “I wish all Myanmar citizens physical and mental well-being, as well as legal protection abroad. As usual, we use this time to review what we have done in the past year. We must draw lessons and mend our ways of doing things. We also make New Year’s resolutions. As for us, our resolution should be our commitment to participate actively in building up a peaceful, prosperous and modern nation. 
“In this reform process, there are two sides: one is the role of the government, and the other is the role of the people. Citizens must be diligent and resilient. In this function, citizens must have the right outlook and the right attitude. Moreover, they must cultivate a habit of strict abidance by the law. As for the role of the government, it should also pursue a leadership style called spiritual leadership. In this regard, Mahattama Gandhi of India is a role model. I wish for you all to possess the four adhipatis.”