Suu Kyi to cement power with special 'adviser' role

Naypyidaw

AUNG San Suu Kyi's party moved on Thursday to make her a special state adviser, as she cements control over Myanmar's first civilian government in decades from a position that could be akin to a prime minister.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) tabled a special bill, mentioning the Nobel peace laureate by name, that would create the post of a National Presidential Adviser, giving her freedom to coordinate intra-ministerial affairs and help influence the executive. The position would likely allow Ms Suu Kyi, who will also oversee ministries of education, energy and electric power, foreign affairs and the president's office, to formally circumvent the constitution barring her from the presidency and allow her to rule "above the president", as she has planned.