Myanmar's lawmakers yesterday elected a close aide and longtime friend of Aung San Suu Kyi to become the country's first civilian president in decades, a historic moment for the formerly junta-run nation
Htin Kyaw (left) Myamar's newly elected president, with Aung San Suu Kyi.
Naypyidaw: Myanmar's lawmakers yesterday elected a close aide and longtime friend of Aung San Suu Kyi to become the country's first civilian president in decades, a historic moment for the formerly junta-run nation.
Htin Kyaw (left) Myamar's newly elected president, with Aung San Suu Kyi. Pic/AFP
Htin Kyaw (69) hailed his elevation to the top post as "Suu Kyi's victory", a clear nod to her plan for him to serve as a proxy for the Nobel laureate who is constitutionally barred from becoming president. MPs erupted into applause after victory was announced following a lengthy ballot count by hand in the capital Naypyidaw in which Htin Kyaw took 360 of 652 votes cast.
"This is sister Aung San Suu Kyi's victory," the newly-elected president told reporters after the vote. "Thank you." Htin Kyaw will take office on April 1, replacing incumbent Thein Sein's five years of army-backed quasi-civilian leadership.
The two other candidates who were also running will now become the country's joint vice-presidents. They are retired general Myint Swe, who won 213 votes, and Chin MP Henry Van Thio, who gathered 79 votes.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
