Myanmar’s military has announced that Acting President Myint Swe is on medical leave, with his duties now transferred to military chief Min Aung Hlaing, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

State-run MRTV television broadcast the announcement, stating that Min Aung Hlaing received an official letter from the acting president's office on Monday. This letter authorized him to assume the responsibilities of the acting president, particularly regarding matters related to the National Defence and Security Council during Myint Swe's medical leave.

"Acting president duties have been handed over to the chairman of the State Administration Council," said the military government, using its official title.

This change comes roughly a week before the military must renew the state of emergency declared after it seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021.

Last week, state media reported that the 73-year-old Myint Swe has been suffering from “psychomotor retardation and malnutrition” and has been under medical treatment since early this year. His condition has left him unable to perform normal daily activities, including eating.

Myint Swe, initially the vice president under Suu Kyi’s government, was appointed acting president by the military following their takeover. Though largely a figurehead, Myint Swe’s role has been crucial for the military government to sign decrees and provide a semblance of legitimacy amid an expanding civil war and a faltering economy.

The National Defence and Security Council, officially headed by the president, is a constitutional government body but is effectively controlled by the military. It is instrumental in renewing the state of emergency every six months, granting the military extensive powers beyond the constitution. The endorsement for these renewals legally falls to the president or the acting president.

The military justifies the state of emergency as necessary to address instability caused by armed opposition groups, which are active in many parts of the country.

BOB Post