Myanmar introduces Bill on 'state adviser' title for Suu Kyi

Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) introduced a Bill in Parliament today, its first day in power, seeking a new high position for party leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The position has been reported as a ''supreme adviser'' or ''state adviser.'' The Bill was introduced in the Upper House of the Parliament.

Parliament is due to vote on the Bill on Friday. The NLD, with its clear majority in both houses, is almost certain to push it through.

The intent, analysts say, is to confirm a high ''super minister'' position to officially consolidate power for Suu Kyi, 70, who said before the November 2016 election that if the party won she would rule ''above the president.'' The NLD won by a landslide, reducing the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) to a small backbench.

The popular democracy icon is barred from the presidency under the junta era constitution that bars anyone with foreign family links from the post. Suu Kyi's late husband was British and her two sons are UK citizens.

 Her nominee for president, long-time family friend and loyalist Htin Kyaw, 69, was sworn in yesterday along with his Cabinet including her.

Suu Kyi has already assumed four ministerial portfolios - foreign affairs, electricity and energy, education, and Minister in the Presient's office. But earlier this week a party official was quoted in reports saying she may not keep them all.

Copyright: The Straits Times/ Asia News Network