Reports hint Suu Kyi could become Myanmar president

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi receives roses from a supporter during a campaign rally for the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Kawhmu on the outskirts of Yangon on October 24, 2015. AFP

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar—Two pro-government television channels say that “positive results” could come out of negotiations between Myanmar’s military chief and Aung San Suu Kyi on suspending a constitutional clause that prevents her from becoming the president.

Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party won a landslide victory in the Nov. 8 general elections. But she is barred from becoming president because of the Constitution’s Article 59 (f), which says anyone with a foreign spouse or children cannot hold the executive office. Suu Kyi’s late husband was British as are her two sons.

In separate but identical broadcasts late Sunday, Sky Net and Myanmar National Television said “positive results could come out on the negotiation for the suspension of the constitution Article 59 (f).”

Suu Kyi has been negotiating with commander-in-chief Gen. Min Aung Hlaing on having the clause suspended, which can be legally removed only through a two-thirds vote in Parliament. The military holds 25 percent of the nominated seats in parliament, which means the NLD cannot scrap the clause on its own.

“I think everything will be fine,” Kyaw Htwe, a member of Central Committee of the NLD, told The Associated Press. “The negotiations will be positive for our leader Aung San Suu Kyi to become president,” said Kyaw Htwe, who is also a member of parliament.

But Yan Myo Thein, a political analyst, advised caution.

“It is still too early to confirm that Suu Kyi will be among the presidential candidate,” he said. “Even the suspension and the constitutional amendment will take time. And we cannot really comment relying only on a short announcement on TV,” he said.

In this Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, photo, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, left Commander in Chief of Myanmar Defense Services reaches to shake hands with pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi during their meeting in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. The new era dawns April 1, 2016, when Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, which captured nearly 80 percent of the contested parliamentary seats, takes over. AP

Suu Kyi has said previously that even if she doesn’t become the president she would run the country from behind the scenes. But clearly, the NLD would prefer the 70-year-old icon of democracy to lead the country, having struggled almost all her life for it.

On Friday, a legal advisory committee consisting of experts and members of the lower house was launched, led by Shwe Mann, the former head of the military-tied Union Solidarity and Development Party. One of the few Suu Kyi allies in the defeated ruling party, Shwe Mann is believed to be supportive of a constitutional change.

Although national elections were in November, the president does not take office until March 31 or April 1 because of a long-winded selection process.

The new members of parliament took their oaths of office only this month. Next, they will announce the date of meetings to pick three nominees for the post of president through a vote by all members of parliament. It is not known when the vote will take place. TVJ

National League for Democracy party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, front center, poses for photographers with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken, front right, U.S. Ambassador to Myanmar Derek Mitchell, front left, and others following a meeting in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016. Blinken, currently on a two-day visit to Myanmar, met with leaders of the government and Suu Kyi to discuss the current post-election environment and the U.S. commitment to supporting Myanmar’s reform process and transition to democracy, a press releases from the U.S. Embassy stated.  AP