CNI News
23 February 2025
After the State Administration Council (SAC) has imposed the law relating to private security service, the question of allowing security companies to carry weapons has arisen among the people.
The SAC released on 18th February 2025 that it has imposed the law relating to private security service under Section.419 of the 2008 constitution.
According to the law, companies from foreign countries including China, India, Thailand and Singapore which have invested in Myanmar are likely to establish security companies in order to protect their projects, investments, staff and companies, they pointed out.
Having private security companies is something that China is doing, and it is careful about the right to bear arms. So, she doesn't think the problems will become bigger, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar analyst, told CNI.
" Having private security companies is something that China is doing. It's been doing for long in Pakistan. I heard that its about 300 security forces have arrived in Kyaukphyu. The law seems to follow it. For example, China builds international airfields in Pakistan. Chinese security forces are allowed to carry the weapons just around them. If they go out of the airfields, the Pakistani army will follow them and provide security. I don't know what they will do in Myanmar. China is very careful about these kinds of things. So, I don't think it will become a big problem. I think they will use their security forces to prevent harassment of deep-sea ports or something like this." said Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw.
While seeing the AA
Currently, severe battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups throughout Myanmar, and international investments, projects and trade are at a near standstill.
Then, the Chinese government proposed the establishment of a bilateral security company to protect Chinese investments and projects in Myanmar after which the SAC formed the Working Committee for the Establishment of a China-Myanmar Bilateral Security Company on October 22, 2024.
After the formation of the committee, the Private Security Services Act was enacted by the SAC.
The regulations for the Private Security Services Act have not yet been issued and the rules still need to be more detailed, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.
While seeing a project in Rakhine State
"Private security is especially important in places like banks. Bank employees will be allowed to carry weapons of the type permitted by the relevant authorities. There will be more effective ways to work on security than before. The law is enacted to protect the sectors concerned. It says the security staff can defend and fight back according to the law if the sector is robbed or fought. The law has been just issued. The bylaw will need to be more detailed, I think. For example, the bylaw must include how many there are the number of security staff who are allowed to carry the weapons and what kinds of weapons will be allowed to carry." said U Thein Tun Oo.
According to the law, security companies must cooperate with national security organizations and according to the plans of the relevant supervisory committee and the state security organizations they must systematically collaborate.
According to the law, when licensed foreign security companies hire security staff, 75 percent of the staff must be Myanmar nationals.
Moreover, as needed for business operations, licensed foreign companies must submit an application for permission to carry weapons and ammunition to the National Defense and Security Council.
