Aung San Suu Kyi becomes Myanmar state counselor: spokesman

Myanmar Minister of Foreign Affairs cum Minister of the President's Office Aung San Suu Kyi has become the country's State Counselor in accordance with the state counselor bill, passed by both Houses and signed by President U Htin Kyaw Wednesday, according to U Zaw Htay, spokesman of the President's Office.

U Zaw Htay, who is Deputy Director-General of the President's Office, told the press that the President's signed bill document has been sent to the Union Parliament.

Both of the Houses of Nationalities (Upper House) and House of Representatives (Lower House) approved the bill without amendment by the majority of the MPs amid strong objection by the minority of non-elected military MPs.

The state counselor bill calling for appointment of Aung San Suu Kyi by name as the state counselor in the cabinet was first submitted to the Upper House last Thursday and was approved by the House by vote 137-68.

The bill was also approved by the Lower House on Tuesday.

The bill, which includes five chapters and eight articles, gives Aung San Suu Kyi's right to contact government ministries, departments, organizations, associations and individuals for counsel. She is accountable in her duty to the Union Parliament.

The term of office for the counselor of state is the same as that of the president.

The bill is aimed at ensuring a multi-party democratic system, a market-oriented economic system, a federal union, peace and development in the country.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD chairperson, was first appointed on Wednesday as Myanmar's new Foreign Minister concurrently holding three portfolios, namely Minister at the President's Office, Minister of Education and Minister of Electric Power and Energy.

In the latest development, as re-proposed by President U Htin Kyaw, the parliament approved on Tuesday the substitution of the last two portfolios out of four, naming U Myo Thein Gyi as Minister of Education and U Pe Zin Tun as Minister of Electric Power and Energy.

Aung San Suu Kyi's first two portfolios, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the President's Office remained unchanged.

The Lower House had also appointed Aung San Suu Kyi as chairperson of the Joint Coordination Committee for Development of Parliamentary Affairs.