Suu Kyi attacks USDP for lack of sincerity

"What the ruling party proposed for charter change wasn't adequate. It doesn't even want to support an inadequate amendment. It means no change is wanted. Representatives who didn't support it want no change. These sections can't be changed one by one. It's not adequate to just remove the son-in-law and daughter-in-law clause from Section 59(f) of the Constitution. They don't even want such minor changes," said Suu Kyi. 

Yesterday, the bill to amend Section 436 was voted down. The section stipulates that any change to the junta-era Constitution must win the endorsement from at least 75 per cent of MPs. Military MPs now take up 20 per cent of seats. Without the change in Section 436, there is no possibility to amend Section 59(f) that blocks Suu Kyi from becoming president. Section 59(f) bars any individuals with foreign spouses or children from becoming the head of state. Suu Kyi this year turns 70.  Her National League for Democracy is expected to win landslide victory in the upcoming election. 

Suu Kyi said she didn't expect to be able to run for the presidency as the Section 59(f) had not been amended. 

She lamented: "MP U Win Myint [the minister of commerce] discussed supporting the change. But he said he didn't agree with the way it was being changed. I think you would know why our MPs disagreed with the discussions."

She said the result was expected and the people were now informed about who supported reform.

"I don't see ourselves as losers on constitutional amendments. We expected it. The people too expected this result. The constitutional amendments must be done practically. The 70-per-cent vote isn't possible yet," she said.

"There were discussions saying the Constitution was created with 90-per-cent support. Please follow the progress of constitutional amendments: people need to know about it and what MPs say," she said.