NAYPYITAW/YANGON – Myanmar’s president-elect has nominated
Aung San Suu Kyi to join the incoming cabinet, giving the National League for
Democracy (NLD) leader a formal role in the government that the constitution
bars her from leading.

Suu Kyi guided the NLD to a historic landslide election
win in November, but cannot assume the presidency under the charter drafted by
the former junta because her two sons are British citizens, as was her late
husband.

She has pledged to circumvent the ban by running the
country through a proxy president, and last week the parliament nominated Suu
Kyi’s confidant, Htin Kyaw, for the top job.

Until the cabinet nominations were read out to
parliament by the speaker on Tuesday, it had been unclear whether Suu Kyi would
join the executive or would seek to guide the government from outside as the
leader of the ruling party.

The constitution also bars serving ministers from
political party activities or sitting in parliament as lawmakers.

“It doesn’t matter how many ministries she takes,
as she will run the whole government anyway,” said Win Htein, a senior NLD
politician close to Suu Kyi.

The 18-member cabinet list submitted by President-elect
Htin Kyaw to parliament did not specify the portfolios each minister would
hold.

But a separate list obtained by Reuters from sources in
parliament showed Nobel peace prize laureate Suu Kyi’s name next to four
ministries: minister of the president’s office, foreign affairs, electric power
and energy, and education.

It was unclear whether Suu Kyi would run all four
departments when the new government takes office next month. A senior NLD
member told Reuters her name was put forward for several ministries after some
prospective candidates declined to join the cabinet at the last minute.

Holding the post of foreign minister would give Suau Kyi
a seat on the National Defence and Security Council, an important presidential
advisory group dominated by the still-powerful military.

“Aung San Suu Kyi will entrust the party in
parliament in the hands of other NLD elders, as expected, and assume a role
within the cabinet,” said Nyantha Maw Lin, managing director at political
consultancy Vriens & Partners in Yangon.

“She understands that ultimately, power lies with
the executive, which holds the reins on the peace process, foreign policy, the
economy, and most importantly, relations with the military.”

The list of proposed ministers also included some former
senior government officials, as well as a member of the army-linked Union
Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), reflecting Suu Kyi’s stated desire to
form an inclusive government.

“I believe the NLD proposed my name as the minister
because they believe in me,” said Thein Swe, a senior USDP member
nominated for minister of labour, immigration and population. “I will
prioritize (the people) and will look after the people.”

– Reuters