Suu Kyi’s close aide nominated for Presidential post

The selection of Htin Kyaw, a genial 69-year-old who went to school with Suu Kyi and now helps run her charitable foundation, comes after months of fevered speculation. Even her own MPs were kept in the dark about the deliberations, with the party fearful of upsetting a delicate political transition in a nation where the military still casts a long shadow. 

“This is an important step in implementing the desires and expectations of voters who enthusiastically supported the NLD,” Suu Kyi said in a statement published on her party website, urging people to support the party’s goal “peacefully”. 

Suu Kyi has vowed to rule “above” the president, despite being barred from top office by the army-scripted constitution, as she strives to fulfil the huge mandate delivered by millions of voters in her National League for Democracy’s landslide election victory in November. She is barred by a charter clause that disqualifies anyone with close foreign relatives. 

Her late husband and two sons are British. Though Htin Kyaw is almost certain to clinch the nomination with backing from the NLD-dominated parliament, his official confirmation may take days. Two other candidates will be put forth, one from the upper house and the other from the military, which still controls a quarter of the legislature.

A final vote of the combined houses will then determine who will become the president, leaving the other two as vice presidents. Htin Kyaw is considered as a smart choice by Suu Kyi and her party. The affable economics graduate, who acted as a driver for Suu Kyi in brief spells of freedom from her long years of house arrest, is married to sitting NLD MP Su Su Lwin, whose late father was the NLD’s respected spokesman.

It’s not clear what her precise role will be or how Suu Kyi will be able to play puppet-master to a president. Some have suggested she could mimic Sonia Gandhi, who wields a huge influence over her Congress party despite having no official government role. 

Or,she could take the role of foreign minister, which would give her a cabinet post as well as a seat at the country’s influential military-dominated security council.