• Burmese
Sunday, June 22, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Acknowledges Myanmar Military’s Unwillingness to Reform Charter

Nan Lwin by Nan Lwin
October 23, 2019
in Burma
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0 0
A A
State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attends a banquet for newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie, at a hotel in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2019. / Reuters

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attends a banquet for newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie, at a hotel in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2019. / Reuters

6.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

YANGON—Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told Nikkei Asian Review on Wednesday that the “military are not overly enthusiastic” about amending the Constitution, while insisting that charter change is necessary if Myanmar is to transition to a “complete democracy.”

This is the first time Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has spoken publicly about the challenges facing the government’s Parliamentary push, launched in January, to amend the charter. The ultimate goal of the effort is to end the military’s involvement in politics.

The State Counselor said she plans to address the issue of the military’s opposition to charter change during her next term, should her government be returned to power in the 2020 general election.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar’s Aging Leaders Continue to Suffer in Junta Jails

Myanmar’s Aging Leaders Continue to Suffer in Junta Jails

June 19, 2025
992
Tree-Planting Hides Logging Frenzy; Moving Mountains for Steel Production; and More

Tree-Planting Hides Logging Frenzy; Moving Mountains for Steel Production; and More

June 14, 2025
660
Yadaya: How Myanmar’s Junta Boss Hopes to Hex His Way to Presidency

Yadaya: How Myanmar’s Junta Boss Hopes to Hex His Way to Presidency

May 29, 2025
1.8k

When asked if constitutional amendment was possible before the upcoming election, she said, “That is difficult to say.”

Drafted in 2008 by the then-ruling military junta, the charter has been widely criticized as undemocratic, particularly for the 25 percent of parliamentary seats it reserves for military appointees—enough to veto any proposed amendments.

The current Constitution dictates that amendment proposals must receive the support of more than 75 percent of lawmakers to pass, meaning the government cannot amend it without the military’s cooperation.

Despite drawing strong objections from military appointees in Parliament, as well as lawmakers from the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the National League for Democracy (NLD)-dominated Parliament voted in favor of forming the joint Charter Amendment Committee in February. It was the NLD’s first move to amend the Constitution since taking office in 2016.

The committee’s 45 members include representatives of 14 political parties, independents and members of the military’s 25 percent bloc in Parliament. In July, the panel submitted to Parliament more than 3,700 recommendations to amend, add or remove items from the charter.

However, military lawmakers objected to the formation of the committee from the outset, saying its establishment was unconstitutional. Military lawmakers on the committee have not contributed any recommendations, while representatives of the ethnic parties, the ruling NLD, the opposition USDP and even an independent member have all provided input on proposed charter changes. The military appointees insist that all of the committee’s procedures are in “violation of the Constitution.”

Amending the Constitution has been one of the NLD’s priorities since before the 2015 election, and the party has publicly stated its belief that constitutional amendment is essential to building a democratic country.

However, some opposition parties have dismissed the NLD’s push for charter change as little more than a pre-election ploy to woo voters.

The State Counselor rejected this accusation, telling Nikkei that the NLD is not pinning its hopes for next year’s election on passing constitutional amendments within the next year.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is currently in Japan after attending the enthronement ceremony for Emperor Naruhito on Tuesday. She met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday to discuss allegations of human rights violations in Rakhine State, as well as economic issues and other affairs.

During her visit, the State Counselor delivered the opening speech at the 2nd Myanmar Investment Conference organized by the Japan External Trade Organization, under the title “Accelerated Steps Toward Stronger Business Relationship Between Myanmar and Japan.”

In a 30-minute interview with Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo, she described the Myanmar military’s 2017 crackdown against the Muslim Rohingya minority as a response to a “terrorist attack.”

She expressed disappointment that the international community has paid so little attention to the terrorist threat in Rakhine. However, she said her government understands the international community’s concerns over human rights violations there.

More than 700,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar to neighboring Bangladesh since August 2017 to escape military operations that the UN has called a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” The Myanmar military denies the allegations, insisting the crackdown was a response to coordinated attacks on security posts in Rakhine State by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army.

In July last year, the Myanmar government formed the Independent Commission of Enquiry for Rakhine to investigate allegations of human rights violations and related issues. The body includes two international experts—former Japanese Ambassador to the UN Kenzo Oshima and Philippine diplomat Rosario Manalo.

Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a repatriation agreement in November 2017, but implementation has failed repeatedly and each side blames the other for the delay. Citing resistance to repatriation from the Rohingya who fear for their safety, rights groups have also warned that without legal protections such as citizenship, Rohingya refugees will continue to face persecution in Myanmar.

The State Counselor said the Rakhine issue is very much an economic and social issue, and not a religious one, as some people have tried to make it out to be.

Despite the international criticism, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in May hosted the Rakhine Investment Forum. It invited both domestic and foreign investors to the event, saying that economic development would bring stability to the state.

Note: This story was edited on Nov. 4, 2019 to clarify State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s comments on the likelihood of constitutional amendment occurring before next year’s election.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: ARSAConstitutionElectionIndependent Commission of EnquirylawmakersNational League for DemocracyNikkei Asian ReviewRakhineState Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Nan Lwin

Nan Lwin

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

Battle of Paletwa Loss Turns Tide Against Myanmar Junta on Western Front
Analysis

Battle of Paletwa Loss Turns Tide Against Myanmar Junta on Western Front

by Moe Sett Nyein Chan
January 23, 2024
22k

The military’s demoralized Western Command is feeling the heat as the Arakan Army closes in on towns in northern Rakhine,...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts
Analysis

Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts

by Hein Htoo Zan
September 20, 2024
16.7k

Three major operations to retake territory from ethnic armies and their allies are being hampered by troop shortages, experts say.

Read moreDetails
Junta Watch: Sinking Feeling as Myanmar Navy Faces Onslaught in Rakhine; and More
Junta Watch

Junta Watch: Sinking Feeling as Myanmar Navy Faces Onslaught in Rakhine; and More

by The Irrawaddy
January 27, 2024
14.3k

Also this week, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s home to be sold, Karen mission fails, ultimate penalty for beaten generals,...

Read moreDetails
Yangon, Mandalay Deserted After Dark as Myanmar Junta Hunts for Conscripts
Burma

Yangon, Mandalay Deserted After Dark as Myanmar Junta Hunts for Conscripts

by Hein Htoo Zan
December 16, 2024
12.4k

Desperate regime ramps up forcible conscription as military defeat looms in Rakhine and Kachin states.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Arrests Ex-Navy Chief for Disobeying Orders
Burma

Myanmar Junta Arrests Ex-Navy Chief for Disobeying Orders

by The Irrawaddy
July 29, 2024
10.8k

Admiral Zwe Win Myint resigned after being ordered not to shell crony-owned hotels in Ngapali, and has now been detained,...

Read moreDetails
AA Turns Its Guns on Last Myanmar Junta Battalion Defending Thandwe
Burma

AA Turns Its Guns on Last Myanmar Junta Battalion Defending Thandwe

by The Irrawaddy
July 3, 2024
10k

After forcing Battalion 566 troops to flee along Ngapali Beach, the Arakan Army is focusing its attention on Infantry Battalion...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
The Dekkhina Thira District Court  / The Irrawaddy

Myanmar Court Rejects Bail Bid in Toddler Rape Case

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian Embassy is organizing the ‘Leonardo Da Vinci: Opera Omnia’ exhibition to be held at the Rosewood Hotel Yangon from Nov. 9 to Dec. 2. / Italian Embassy / Facebook

High-Definition da Vinci: Exhibition to Display Digital Versions of Leonardo Masterpieces

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

2 days ago
888
The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

3 days ago
659

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads

    Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Certifying a Chinese Security Invasion; Boosting Ties With Nuclear North Korea; and More

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Changes Election Law Ahead of Polls

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Residents of Myanmar Ruby Hub Speak Out as TNLA Mining Takes Toll

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.