A lawmaker says it would have behooved the government to consult or approach former junta leader Than Shwe over proposed changes to the constitution that are supposed to be voted on today in Naypyidaw even as many lawmakers have yet to make an appearance.
“Since Than Shwe was the leader of members of the Myanmar Tatmadaw (Army), I assume that it [the junta-era constitution] is originally from Than Shwe,” U Kyun Khae, an MP from the Chin Development Party, said on Wednesday in Naypyidaw. “It seems to be necessary to go to him when we want to amend Article 436 (a) as it is originally from him.”
His quotes were reported in The Voice Weekly.
Article 436 (a) stipulates a 75 percent plus 1 majority for votes on amending the constitution. Since 25 percent of parliamentary seats are reserved for members of the military, they can stand in the way of any proposed amendments.
Lowering the threshold, which is what is being voted on today, would potentially enable further changes to rules that bar Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency because her husband was British and her sons hold foreign passports.
“If we want genuine change in this country we must amend 436,” she said in a statement to AFP earlier this week.
Kyun Khae also expressed support for scrapping the rule on foreign ties that keeps Suu Kyi legally out of office because it targets a specific person, he said.
The vote is already shaping up to be an interesting one, as nearly 50 members of parliament have not shown up, according to 7Day Daily.
Than Shwe was head of the State Peace and Development Council but left the government in 2011 when current President Thein Sein was anointed to lead the transition to civilian rule. Still, many believe he retains influence.
Though he rarely appears in public, he popped back up in March through a family Facebook post showing him how to use an iPad.
U Win Myint, a lawmaker from Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, dismissed the idea to consult the former senior general, according to The Voice Weekly. He said that if amending the constitution depends on one person, “our democracy is not a real democracy.”
Photo / Facebook / Nay Shwe Thway Aung
