Bill making Suu Kyi 'state counselor' passes Upper House

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Bill making Suu Kyi 'state counselor' passes Upper House



NAYPYITAW: -- Myanmar’s Upper House of Parliament on Friday approved legislation that would create a powerful remit for National League for Democracy (NLD) chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi, The Irrawaddy reported.

Suu Kyi’s responsibilities in the new government already include four ministerial portfolios.The “State Counselor” bill, proposed by President Htin Kyaw and submitted by the Upper House Bill Committee on Thursday, was passed by a vote of 137-70. The secret balloting saw two lawmakers abstain.

The bill marked the first legislative initiative of the Upper House since Htin Kyaw was sworn in, and was tabled by seven lawmakers during the session. The text of the legislation explicitly designates NLD chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi as state counselor, and has been widely interpreted as a move by the party leader to circumvent a Constitution that bars her from the presidency.

Military lawmaker Brig-Gen Khin Maung Aye spoke in opposition to the bill, saying it was not in accordance with the 2008 Constitution and would create conflicts of interest for Suu Kyi, given the extensive role she has carved out for herself in the new cabinet.

He also said the bill would create a situation that allowed Suu Kyi to straddle the legislative-executive divide, taking power in both branches of government.

With the bill’s passage in the Upper House, lawmakers from the Lower House will take up the legislation for discussion this week.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/158087


-- Thai PBS 2016-04-04