Suu Kyi's charter change bid scrutinised
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Myanmar's parliament could consider a petition by Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party calling for an end to the army's veto on amending the constitution in the former junta-ruled nation, the House Speaker said on Monday.
The campaign has garnered nearly 5 million signatures and has seen Suu Kyi – who is constitutionally barred from becoming president – challenge the military to support altering the charter, which was drawn up under the previous regime.
“As it’s related to the parliament, which listens to the voice of the people, MPs can consider the people’s voice,” said Shwe Mann, the speaker of parliament’s combined houses and leader of the army-backed ruling party.
Shwe Mann added that the petition would not affect the deliberations of a parliamentary committee set up to recommend changes to the controversial constitution.
The committee, which is believed to be against changing the provision that bars Suu Kyi from becoming president, will make recommendations to parliament, which will then debate the proposals.
‘Benchmark’ polls
Suu Kyi is trying to change key sections of Myanmar’s charter ahead of 2015 elections that are widely expected to be won by her National League for Democracy (NLD) – if they are free and fair. The Nobel laureate has urged soldiers to support the petition.
“I would like you all to consider whether getting more opportunities than ordinary citizens is really fair,” she told a rally in May, earning a rebuke from the election commission.
As it stands, she is ineligible because of a clause in the 2008 charter blocking anyone whose spouse or children are overseas citizens from leading the country. Suu Kyi’s two sons are British.
The speaker made his comments at a press conference following a weekend meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of Asean talks in Nay Pyi Taw.
Kerry said he praised officials and President Thein Sein on sweeping reforms that have seen the removal of most Western sanctions. But he raised a number of concerns – including ethnic and religious unrest, the arrests of journalists and dissidents and the constitutional amendment.
Next year’s elections would be a “benchmark” for the world to measure Myanmar’s progress, Kerry said.
The president will be elected by parliament after the polls.
