Blocked from Presidency, Suu Kyi to be Myanmar Foreign Minister

NLD Chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi attends the last day of the Union parliament regular session in Naypyidaw

Yangon, 13 Jumadil Akhir 1437/23 March 2016 (MINA) – Aung San Suu Kyi will become foreign minister in Myanmar’s new civilian government, her party said on Tuesday (Mar 22), giving the democracy champion a formal position despite being blocked from the presidency.

The speaker of parliament, Mann Win Khiang Than said that president-elect Htin Kyaw was putting forward 18 candidates for 21 ministries, including Suu Kyi, the prominent leader of the former opposition National League for Democracy (NLD).

A senior NLD official said Suu Kyi would take at least one post in the new cabinet, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting DPA.

“She would definitely take the foreign minister post so that she can be involved in National Defence and Security Council” (NDSC), he told dpa by phone, asking not to be named as he has no authority to speak to the media.

The 11-member NDSC serves as the highest authority in the government of Myanmar, and contains six military members including the head of the armed forces.

Suu Kyi is also in line for the ministry of education, and the representative for energy and electricity in the office of the president, according to an unofficial document the official showed to DPA. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)