Aung San Suu Kyi, 70, and her National League for Democracy (NLD) party have provided infrequent and scant details on their plans for government since winning a large majority in the historic November election.
Earlier this week the NLD spokesman Zaw Myint Maung suggested that Aung San Suu Kyi might not take a cabinet position and instead rule as party leader from parliament. As part of the executive she will have to leave her position as an MP.
Before the election the leader had vowed to be “above the president”, working around a junta-drafted constitution that bars her from the country’s most powerful position because her two children and late husband are British.
Htin Kyaw, a close adviser, was elected president this month and is expected to act as a proxy for Aung San Suu Kyi.
The short and vague announcement of cabinet names on Tuesday led to more speculation and rumours, as only 18 of 21 ministers were disclosed. Some observers suggested Aung San Suu Kyi might fill four cabinet positions.
Local media in Myanmar have said she will become foreign minister, although this has not been confirmed. Parliament’s next sitting is on Thursday when the portfolios might be announced.
The daughter of the nation’s assassinated revolutionary hero, Aung San Suu Kyi is the only woman on the list of names. Others include Thein Swe, a former political prisoner, and Naing Thet Lwin, an ethnic minority from the Mon National party.
It also includes Thura U Aung Ko, a senior member of the outgoing military-aligned USDP party.
The army retains significant power and the military commander-in-chief appoints the ministers of defence, home affairs and border affairs from members of the defence services, or Tatmadaw.(Oliver Holmes)
Link: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/aung-san-suu-kyi-to-hold-a-ministry-in-myanmars-government
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