'Super Minister' Suu Kyi to remain NLD's leader

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'Super Minister' Suu Kyi to remain NLD's leader



NAYPYITAW: -- Aung San Suu Kyi will continue to lead the National League for Democracy (NLD), despite holding ministerial positions that constitutionally ban her from party activities, according to the NLD spokesperson, reported The Irrawaddy.

Myanmar’s 2008 Constitution states that if a government minister is a member of any political party, “[they] shall not take part in its party activities during the term of office, from the day [they are] appointed as a Union minister.”

Suu Kyi was approved as a Cabinet member on March 24; her portfolio of multiple ministerial positions in foreign affairs, education, the President’s office and electric power and energy was approved on Wednesday by the Union Parliament, designating her the new government’s “super minister.”

The NLD spokesperson Zaw Myint Maung said the Noble Peace Laureate will remain “the leader” of the party she has presided over since its formation in 1988, but she will no longer be involved in the party’s activities.

The NLD-government will take power on April 1, after being sworn in at Parliament on Wednesday.

Zaw Myint Maung explained that during this time the party’s leadership will be supplemented by a newly formed five-member secretariat and the party’s existing central executive committee (CEC).

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/157639

-- Thai PBS 2016-03-31