16 March 2016

Suu Kyi loyalist and friend elected Myanmar's president

National League for Democracy party (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives in Manama's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament votes Tuesday to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi.
Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as the country's new president Tuesday in a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government after 54 years of direct or indirect military rule.

The joint session of the two houses of parliament broke into thundering applause as the speaker Mann Win Khaing Than announced the result: "I hereby announce the president of Myanmar is Htin Kyaw, as he won the majority of votes." Immediately, the state-run Myanmar TV's camera zoomed in from above on a beaming Suu Kyi, sitting in the front row, clapping excitedly, for a live nationwide audience.


The 70-year-old Htin Kyaw, a longtime confidant of Suu Kyi, will take office April 1 but questions remain about his position and power.

Rightfully, the job belonged to Suu Kyi, who has been the face of the pro-democracy movement and who endured decades of house arrest and harassment by military rulers without ever giving up on her non-violent campaign to unseat them. But a constitutional provision barred Suu Kyi from becoming president, and she made it clear that whoever sits in that chair will be her proxy.

Still, Htin Kyaw will be remembered by history as the first civilian president for Myanmar and the head of its first government to be elected in free and fair polls. After the parliament session ended, Suu Kyi did not comment as she exited, leaving the new president to deliver the first reaction.

"This is a victory for the people of this country," Htin Kyaw said in a brief comment to reporters.

He secured 360 votes from among 652 ballots cast in the bicameral parliament, where the vote count was read aloud and announced by a parliament official.
A customer sits to buy green groceries from vendors on a road near a local bazaar Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's parliament votes Tuesday to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.


The military's nominee, Myint Swe, won 213 votes and will become the first vice president. Htin Kyaw's running mate from the National League for Democracy party, Henry Van Tio, won 79 votes and will take the post of second vice president.

"We are very satisfied with the result of the presidential election," said Tun Win, a legislator from the Arakan National Party. "He really should be the leader. I hope he can lead this country to peace and stability, equality and implement the rule of law in this country."

The United States congratulated Htin Kyaw on his election.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the election marked "yet another important step forward in Burma's democratic transition." He said the formation of a democratically elected, civilian-led government and the peaceful transfer of power "mark an extraordinary moment" in Myanmar's history. Earnest said additional democratic reforms must be implemented.

The NLD, and indeed Suu Kyi, came into prominence in 1988 when popular protests started against the military that had ruled in different incarnations since taking power in a 1962 coup. After crushing anti-government riots in which thousands of people were killed, the junta placed Suu Kyi under house arrest in 1989.

It called elections in 1990, which the NLD swept. But the military ignored the results and stayed in power. Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize a year later, and it was around this time that Htin Kyaw — then a computer programmer-turned-bureaucrat — became involved in party work. His father-in-law was already a prominent NLD leader and his wife a member.
A Myanmar Buddhist monk walks to collect morning alms as vendors selling bunches of banana wait for customers near a jetty Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's parliament votes Tuesday, March 15, 2016, to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.


Htin Kyaw, who had known Suu Kyi since grade school, became her confidant and adviser on foreign relations. As Myanmar lurched from one political crisis to another, Suu Kyi was released and re-arrested several times. The junta finally started loosening its grip on power in 2010, allowing elections that were won by a military-allied party after the NLD boycotted the polls as unfair.

After more reforms, another general election was held on Nov. 8 that was swept by the NLD, a reflection of Suu Kyi's widespread public support. The constitutional clause that denied her the presidency excludes anyone from the job who has a foreign spouse or children. Suu Kyi's two sons are British, as was her late husband. The clause is widely seen as having been written by the military with Suu Kyi in mind.

The military reserved for itself 25 percent of the seats in parliament, ensuring no government, current or future, can amend the constitution without its approval.

Myint Swe is seen as a close ally of former junta leader Than Shwe and remains on a U.S. Treasury Department blacklist that bars American companies from doing business with several tycoons and senior military figures connected with the former junta.

(AP)  
People read newspapers as a vendor, rear, arranges papers at her sidewalk shop Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's parliament votes Tuesday to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
People read newspapers as a vendor, rear, arranges papers at her sidewalk shop Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's parliament votes Tuesday to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Lawmakers of the National League for Democracy party (NLD) arrive for a session at Myanmar parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 14, 2016. Myanmar's parliament vote on Tuesday to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi.
Lawmakers of the National League for Democracy party (NLD) arrive for a session at Myanmar parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 14, 2016. Myanmar's parliament vote on Tuesday to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi. 
A Myanmar police officer stand guards at the entrance to Myanmar parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's lawmakers gather Tuesday to vote to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates.
A Myanmar police officer stand guards at the entrance to Myanmar parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's lawmakers gather Tuesday to vote to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates. 
Appointed lawmakers who represent Myanmar's military arrive for a parliamentary session in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 14, 2016. Myanmar's parliament vote on Tuesday, March 15 to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi.
Appointed lawmakers who represent Myanmar's military arrive for a parliamentary session in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 14, 2016. Myanmar's parliament vote on Tuesday, March 15 to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi.
National League for Democracy party (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, arrives in Manama's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament votes Tuesday to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi.
National League for Democracy party (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, arrives in Manama's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament votes Tuesday to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi.
Henry Van Hti Yu,center foreground a candidate for president from the National League for Democracy party arrives in Myanmar parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's lawmakers gather to vote to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates on Tuesday, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Henry Van Hti Yu,center foreground a candidate for president from the National League for Democracy party arrives in Myanmar parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's lawmakers gather to vote to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates on Tuesday, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Htin Kyaw from the National League for Democracy party stands in a corridor before the start of the presidential election at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament has elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Htin Kyaw from the National League for Democracy party stands in a corridor before the start of the presidential election at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament has elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Htin Kyaw, left a presidential candidate from the National League for Democracy party, speaks with NLD lawmakers at Myanmar parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 14, 2016. Myanmar's parliament vote on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Htin Kyaw, left a presidential candidate from the National League for Democracy party, speaks with NLD lawmakers at Myanmar parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 14, 2016. Myanmar's parliament vote on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, to pick the country's next president from a group of three final candidates, including a front runner who is a longtime confidant of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
In this Nov. 13, 2010, file photo, Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, speaks with aide Htin Kyaw, left, as she addresses her supporters from the front gates of her home after her release from house arrest in Yangon, Myanmar. For years he walked alongside Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, a quiet confidante as she campaigned for democracy in Myanmar. On Tuesday, March 15, 2016, with her blessings, Htin Kyaw will become the country’s president.
In this Nov. 13, 2010, file photo, Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, speaks with aide Htin Kyaw, left, as she addresses her supporters from the front gates of her home after her release from house arrest in Yangon, Myanmar. For years he walked alongside Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, a quiet confidante as she campaigned for democracy in Myanmar. On Tuesday, March 15, 2016, with her blessings, Htin Kyaw will become the country’s president. 
National League for Democracy party (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, arrives in Manama's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
National League for Democracy party (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, arrives in Manama's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government. 
Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, second left, at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government. Others unidentified.
Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, second left, at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government. Others unidentified. 
Htin Kyaw, right, the newly elected president of Myanmar and his wife, lawmaker Su Su Lwin, left, wave as they leave the parliament building in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Htin Kyaw, right, the newly elected president of Myanmar and his wife, lawmaker Su Su Lwin, left, wave as they leave the parliament building in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government. 
Htin Kyaw, center, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government. Man left is unidentified.
Htin Kyaw, center, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government. Man left is unidentified. 
In this combination of file photos shows Htin Kyaw, left, Henry Van Hti Yu, right, candidates for president from the National League for Democracy party, and Myint Swe, center, the military's candidate for president. After Myanmar's parliament voted on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president, ushering the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government. The military's nominee, Myint Swe, will become the first vice president. Htin Kyaw's running mate from the National League for Democracy party, Henry Van Tio, will take the post of second vice president.
In this combination of file photos shows Htin Kyaw, left, Henry Van Hti Yu, right, candidates for president from the National League for Democracy party, and Myint Swe, center, the military's candidate for president. After Myanmar's parliament voted on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president, ushering the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government. The military's nominee, Myint Swe, will become the first vice president. Htin Kyaw's running mate from the National League for Democracy party, Henry Van Tio, will take the post of second vice president.
In this image made from video provided by Myanmar Parliament Television, National League for Democracy Leader Aung San Suu Kyi casts her ballots for the country's new president in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
In this image made from video provided by Myanmar Parliament Television, National League for Democracy Leader Aung San Suu Kyi casts her ballots for the country's new president in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Military officers, appointed members of Manama's parliament stand in lines to mark attendance registry in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, ahead of a parliamentary session on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament voted Tuesday to elect the country's new president, a watershed moment that will usher the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Military officers, appointed members of Manama's parliament stand in lines to mark attendance registry in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, ahead of a parliamentary session on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament voted Tuesday to elect the country's new president, a watershed moment that will usher the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government. 
Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, at Myanmar's parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Myanmar's parliament elected Htin Kyaw as Myanmar's new president Tuesday, a watershed moment that ushers the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.
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