Military shoots down senior general retirement rumours

Military shoots down senior general retirement rumours

By Ei Ei Toe Lwin   |   Friday, 06 June 2014

 

Widespread rumours that the military is planning a major reshuffle that would see Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing retire and enter politics are unfounded, a senior officer has told The Myanmar Times.

Media reports on June 8 cited unnamed military sources as saying that the reshuffle would take place in August, with Deputy Senior General Soe Win and General Mya Tun Oo in line for promotion.

However, Brigadier General Wai Lin, a military representative in the Pyithu Hluttaw, said there was no truth to the reports.

"How do you know it's true?" he said. "It's just a rumour."

But many observers are predicting that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will be nominated as a presidential candidate by the parliament's military bloc, which would guarantee him at least the vice presidency. Under Myanmar's presidential electoral college system, elected MPs from both the upper house and lower house nominated one candidate each, while the military nominates a third.

This speculation has increased as the senior general has made more visible efforts to improve relations with ethnic armed groups and the international community.

As is the case with much that occurs in Myanmar's armed forces, however, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's plans remain cloaked in secrecy.

"You can't deny that his actions often appear to be of a political nature," said U Khon Okkar , general secretary of the United Nationalities and  Federal Council.  "But it's just a prediction. We will have to wait and see."

Not all are convinced. U Hla Swe, an Amyotha Hluttaw representative for Magwe Region and retired lieutenant colonel, said he did not think the senior general wanted to enter politics.

"He wants to be a professional solider, but he has to retire when he will be 60," he said.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was born in Yangon in 1956 and was part of the Defense Services Academy's 19^th intake. He was appointed commander-in-chief when President U Thein Sein's government came to office in 2011 and was promoted to senior general in March 2013.

Insiders say Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is a loyal servant with strong operational skills. "He has a good reputation and is meant to be a generous person," U Hla Swe said.

 

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/06/07/military-shoots-down-senior-general-retirement-rumours/