http://www.channelnewsasia.com/mobile/asiapacific/appointed-president-will/2250308.html
Appointed president will take instructions from me if NLD wins: Suu Kyi
By May Wong, Myanmar Correspondent, Channel NewsAsia* and Sujadi Siswo
POSTED: 10 Nov 2015 15:59 **UPDATED: 10 Nov 2015 20:26
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YANGON: Leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi said the appointed president will have "no authority" when her party is able to form the government.
Speaking to Channel NewsAsia at her home on Tuesday (Nov 10), Suu Kyi said if NLD wins, the chosen president will be appointed "just to meet requirements of constitution".*
"He will have to understand this perfectly well that he will have no authority, that he will act in accordance with the decisions of the party," she said.*
"That is the only logical way to do it. Because in any democratic country, it's the leader of the winning party that becomes the leader of the government. If this constitution doesn't allow it, then we will have to make arrangements so that we can proceed along usual democratic lines," Suu Kyi added.*
Before Myanmar held its historic election on Nov 8, Suu Kyi had expressed that she wants to be "above the president". On Tuesday, she reiterated that she would be the one directing the appointed president if NLD wins the election, as she has been barred from the presidency under the army-drafted constitution.
Suu Kyi added that the appointed president must understand that all instructions will come from her, as she is the leader of the party. This will not affect how the government is run, she stressed.
"Why should it affect the functions of the government? Because there will be a government, (and) it will be run properly. The president will be told exactly what he can do," she said.*
Asked if this could come off as authorianism, Suu Kyi said the NLD would not go down that path as its strength lies in*its appeal to the public.*
"We have been able to survive as long as we have, because we have the support of the people. And governments that depend on the support of the people never become authoritarian," she said.*
The opposition leader also touched on collaboration and cooperation with the military and other bodies, amid concerns about her ability to work with the military which continues to possess 25 per cent of parliamentary seats.*
"Whether it's the military or any other body, collaboration and cooperation is something you have to work at. It doesn't happen overnight. You have to learn to build it up. You don't just do it in a theoretical way," Suu Kyi said.*
"So how we deal with the situation depends on how the situation evolves. It's not something you can set hard and fast rules for. The NLD has said officially that the 25 per cent must go in time, because it is not in line with democratic practices, but that we'll negotiate a way in which this is approached in the interest of a reconciliation."
"They will have to be open to negotiations as soon as we form a government," she added.*
More than 30 million citizens cast their ballot both in Myanmar and overseas on Nov 8. The NLD is aiming for 67 per cent of elected seats in the national legislature to be able to select a president and form government.
It has so far won 49 lower house seats - including 24 in Yangon and 10 in the country's second city Mandalay, both areas where the party is expected to sweep the vote.
- CNA/dl
Appointed president will take instructions from me if NLD wins: Suu Kyi
By May Wong, Myanmar Correspondent, Channel NewsAsia* and Sujadi Siswo
POSTED: 10 Nov 2015 15:59 **UPDATED: 10 Nov 2015 20:26
A
A
YANGON: Leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi said the appointed president will have "no authority" when her party is able to form the government.
Speaking to Channel NewsAsia at her home on Tuesday (Nov 10), Suu Kyi said if NLD wins, the chosen president will be appointed "just to meet requirements of constitution".*
"He will have to understand this perfectly well that he will have no authority, that he will act in accordance with the decisions of the party," she said.*
"That is the only logical way to do it. Because in any democratic country, it's the leader of the winning party that becomes the leader of the government. If this constitution doesn't allow it, then we will have to make arrangements so that we can proceed along usual democratic lines," Suu Kyi added.*
Before Myanmar held its historic election on Nov 8, Suu Kyi had expressed that she wants to be "above the president". On Tuesday, she reiterated that she would be the one directing the appointed president if NLD wins the election, as she has been barred from the presidency under the army-drafted constitution.
Suu Kyi added that the appointed president must understand that all instructions will come from her, as she is the leader of the party. This will not affect how the government is run, she stressed.
"Why should it affect the functions of the government? Because there will be a government, (and) it will be run properly. The president will be told exactly what he can do," she said.*
Asked if this could come off as authorianism, Suu Kyi said the NLD would not go down that path as its strength lies in*its appeal to the public.*
"We have been able to survive as long as we have, because we have the support of the people. And governments that depend on the support of the people never become authoritarian," she said.*
The opposition leader also touched on collaboration and cooperation with the military and other bodies, amid concerns about her ability to work with the military which continues to possess 25 per cent of parliamentary seats.*
"Whether it's the military or any other body, collaboration and cooperation is something you have to work at. It doesn't happen overnight. You have to learn to build it up. You don't just do it in a theoretical way," Suu Kyi said.*
"So how we deal with the situation depends on how the situation evolves. It's not something you can set hard and fast rules for. The NLD has said officially that the 25 per cent must go in time, because it is not in line with democratic practices, but that we'll negotiate a way in which this is approached in the interest of a reconciliation."
"They will have to be open to negotiations as soon as we form a government," she added.*
More than 30 million citizens cast their ballot both in Myanmar and overseas on Nov 8. The NLD is aiming for 67 per cent of elected seats in the national legislature to be able to select a president and form government.
It has so far won 49 lower house seats - including 24 in Yangon and 10 in the country's second city Mandalay, both areas where the party is expected to sweep the vote.
- CNA/dl
