International News

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi to cement power with special ‘advisor’ role

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar, March 31, (APP/AFP) – Aung San
Suu Kyi’s party moved Thursday to make her a special state adviser, giving her access to every tier of government and cementing her control over Myanmar’s first civilian administration in decades.
Hopes are growing the newly sworn-in government can accelerate the
country’s economic and political rejuvenation after nearly half a century of
military repression.
Banned from becoming president by a junta-era constitution, Suu Kyi
has vowed to rule “above” the president and picked her school friend and close aide Htin Kyaw for the role.
She already holds four cabinet positions, including foreign minister,
after her National League for Democracy (NLD) swept to power in elections last year.
A bill proposing a new position for Suu Kyi was submitted to
parliament Thursday, in her party’s latest attempt to circumvent the ban on her leading the country.