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17-08-2025, 10:59 PM
Commentary: What does Myanmar Acting President Myint Swe’s death mean for the country?. The passing of Myanmar’s acting president provides an occasion to contemplate his life & Myanmar’s future, say two experts.
S'PORE: Myanmar's State Security & Peace Commission (SSPC) announced th
death of Acting President Myint Swe, w
74 years old, on Aug 7 & decided to hold a state funeral. SSPC’s decision, though in accordance w/protocol for passing of a sitting head of state, requires some contextual consideration of Myint Swe’s life, actions, role in Myanmar’s political trajectory. A lieutenant general and chief minister of Yangon Division from 2011 to 2016 during Union Solidar Development Party (USDP) admin Myint Swe was the military’s nominee for president, the National League for Democracy (NLD) prepared to take office in 2016. He became 1 of two vice-presidents – was known as senior vice-president – during NLD admin. Myint Swe was in this role at the time of February 2021 military coup, became acting president post-coup. His elevation associated w/constitutional requirement for a presidential request by military “unusual circumstances” to take over state power in times of emergency.
Since then, however, he rarely in media spotlight & appeared mostly at periodic meetings of the National Security and Defence Council to approve extensions of the state of emergency. Myint Swe attracted some international attention over his statement expressing concern over country’s disintegration following surprise offensive Operation 1027 launched by ethnic armed organisations in Northern Shan State in October 2023. He took medical leave in July 2024; then SAC chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, took over as acting president.
S'PORE: Myanmar's State Security & Peace Commission (SSPC) announced th
death of Acting President Myint Swe, w
74 years old, on Aug 7 & decided to hold a state funeral. SSPC’s decision, though in accordance w/protocol for passing of a sitting head of state, requires some contextual consideration of Myint Swe’s life, actions, role in Myanmar’s political trajectory. A lieutenant general and chief minister of Yangon Division from 2011 to 2016 during Union Solidar Development Party (USDP) admin Myint Swe was the military’s nominee for president, the National League for Democracy (NLD) prepared to take office in 2016. He became 1 of two vice-presidents – was known as senior vice-president – during NLD admin. Myint Swe was in this role at the time of February 2021 military coup, became acting president post-coup. His elevation associated w/constitutional requirement for a presidential request by military “unusual circumstances” to take over state power in times of emergency.
Since then, however, he rarely in media spotlight & appeared mostly at periodic meetings of the National Security and Defence Council to approve extensions of the state of emergency. Myint Swe attracted some international attention over his statement expressing concern over country’s disintegration following surprise offensive Operation 1027 launched by ethnic armed organisations in Northern Shan State in October 2023. He took medical leave in July 2024; then SAC chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, took over as acting president.
