Suu Kyi’s bill of rights

Myanmar’s new democratic government is headed for a confrontation with the country’s military after it used its numerical majority in the upper house of Parliament to approve the creation of a powerful new position for Aung San Suu Kyi. Deputies representing the military and its allied Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) sought to block the bill, which specifically names Suu Kyi, Leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), for the proposed post of ‘state counsellor.’

The move is an attempt to bypass a military-scripted constitutional provision that bars anybody with a foreign spouse or children to become president or vice president. Suu Kyi’s late husband and two sons are British nationals.

Military and USDP members of Parliament criticised the bill as an unconstitutional attempt to make the NLD leader as powerful as President Htin Kyaw, her trusted confidante, who was sworn into office on Wednesday(6).

Suu Kyi already holds the ministerial portfolios for the President’s Office, Foreign Affairs, Education and Energy.

The NLD denies that the new post is a ruse to give Suu Kyi executive powers vested in the presidency. After the sweeping NLD victory in last November’s general election, the Nobel Peace laureate repeatedly vowed to rule from “above the president,” if prevented from becoming the head of state.

The military has not yet directly commented on the move. It has previously said Suu Kyi could be allowed to become president after a two to three-year transition to democracy.

A quarter of parliamentary seats are pre-reserved for nominees of the military, which has ruled Myanmar since 1962. Working with the USDP, it successfully elected a former army general, Myint Swe, as the senior of the country’s two vice presidents.

Under the constitution, the military retains control of key security ministries, and is empowered to block constitutional amendments. The bill also has to be approved by a joint sitting of Myanmar’s Parliament before it can be enacted.

Singaporean broadcaster Channel NewsAsia reports the bill will quickly be passed for debate to the lower house of Parliament, where the NLD’s heavy majority should ensure its passage - unless the military acts to block it.

The Myanmar Times says the role envisioned for Ms. Suu Kyi would empower her to liaise with all branches of the government and establish a dedicated budget for her use.

-The World Weekly