Myanmar president Htin Kyaw resigns
YANGON: Myanmar’s President Htin Kyaw ( pix) resigned suddenly yesterday, leaving the country’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi without a close confidant and political ally as she faces rising international opprobrium over the Rakhine State crisis.
The president, an old school friend of Suu Kyi, served as her proxy in an office she was barred from occupying under Myanmar’s military-drafted constitution.
His role was largely ceremonial, with Suu Kyi calling the shots within her civilian administration, under the self-appointed title of State Counsellor.
But he was nonetheless the country’s head of state and a key domestic ally for Suu Kyi within her party.
Myanmar’s Vice-President Myint Swe, a retired general close to former junta leader Than Shwe, will temporarily move into the role until a new president is appointed.
Observers say this will likely make some inside Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy party queasy as, in theory, decisions could be pushed through, or held back.
Speculation had swirled for months about the health of Htin Kyaw, 72, who had recently lost weight and has had heart ailments.
He was the country’s first civilian president since 1962, was widely respected and seen as unerringly devoted to Suu Kyi.
He has stood firmly by her side even as as her reputation has been shredded internationally for not speaking up for the persecuted Rohingya Muslim community. – AFP
SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has apologised over a viral video that showed him telling Barisan Nasional youths in the Rembau parliamentary constituency to take physical action against business outlets that slander the government. “I am fully responsible, and to anyone who misinterpreted my comments ... I am sorry. But I have no direct intention to promote the culture of gangsterism,” he said yesterday of the speech he made on Sunday. Mohamad told theSun on Tuesday his comments were taken out of context. “Those were j ust words t o i nspire confidence among the youth. “It’s not like I want them to carry out the a c t i ons f or real.” “I always joke around, you can ask any of the r eporters who cover my press conferences,” he said.
Police have started investigations into the case, after three reports were lodged against Mohamad yesterday.
State police chief Comm Datuk Noor Azam Jamaludin said the case has been classified as causing public fear or alarm under Section 505 of the Penal Code.
“We will call up all those relevant to the case in the course of investigations. With the general election expected to take place soon, I would also like to advise parties from both political factions to practise caution when making speeches,” he said.
“Refrain from making inflammatory and sensitive statements that are hurtful and that might trigger anger among people. Let us have a peaceful and orderly general election without untoward incidents.”
The police reports were lodged by Kuala Pilah Pakatan chief Kamarulzaman Kamdias and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia member Mohd Firdaus Mohd Rashid in Seremban.
Kamarulzaman said Mohamad should not have spoken in such a manner.
“As mentri besar, he should not be using those words,” he said.
In the video, Mohamad urged the youths to counter allegations by the Opposition, as well as to convince voters to support Barisan Nasional.
He also said: “If there is a coffee shop disseminating slanderous statements against the government, you storm into the coffee shop, overturn their tables. If you’re picked up by the police, I will bail you out.”
Meanwhile, MyPPP president Tan Sri M. Kayveas said Mohamad was clearly speaking in jest and there was never a moment of violent intent meant in any form.
“A war cry or saying we fight till the end in political terms doesn’t mean we take up arms against our fellow citizens. Its true meaning is to argue out the dispute or squabble to win.”
Kayvas said Mohamad is a dynamic leader, often silent but performanceoriented, and a man of peace and is charitable in nature.
MCA publicity spokesman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker urged all quarters, especially the Opposition, not to sensationalise the matter and blow it out of proportion.
He said the mentri besar has already clarified his statement and the matter should be put to rest.
“Do not add an unnecessary spin to Mohamad’s statement. Those who are familiar with him know what kind of person he is and that he would never incite any kind of tension,” he added.