Suu Kyi urges changes to Myanmar charter

AFP, YANGON: Aung San Suu Kyi made a fresh call yesterday for changes to Myanmar's junta-era constitution as lawmakers began a debate that will test the army's determination to preserve its political power before landmark elections. The opposition leader has campaigned relentlessly for changes to a charter that bars her from the presidency, focusing on clause 436 that effectively hands the army a veto over any amendments.
“If we want genuine change in this country, we must amend 436,” she said.
The clause calls for a 75 percent majority in votes on major constitutional changes, ensuring that unelected soldiers -- who are reserved a quarter of the parliamentary seats -- have the final say. Debate on the issue, as well as the provision barring Suu Kyi from the presidency, began yesterday and is scheduled to run until Thursday when a vote is expected. The discussions could be the last opportunity for a vote on major charter change before elections this year.
Those polls, slated for October or November, are seen as a test of the country's emergence from almost half a century of brutal military rule. The army has so far vociferously rejected any change in its voting privileges.
Suu Kyi, who was locked up for some 15 years by the former junta, entered parliament in 2012 as reforms under a quasi-civilian government blew through the long-cloistered nation.
Her National League for Democracy Party is widely expected to win many seats in the election. It garnered some five million signatures in a nationwide petition on charter change last year. Under the current constitution the Nobel laureate is barred from becoming president under a clause that excludes those with foreign spouses and children from top political office. Her sons are British as was her late husband.

Suu Kyi urges changes to Myanmar charter

AFP, YANGON: Aung San Suu Kyi made a fresh call yesterday for changes to Myanmars junta-era constitution as lawmakers began a debate that will test the armys determination to preserve its political power before landmark elections. The opposition leader has campaigned relentlessly for changes to a charter that bars her from the presidency, focusing on clause 436 that effectively hands the army a veto over any amendments. If we want genuine change in this country, we must amend 436, she said. The clause calls for a 75 percent majority in votes on major constitutional changes, ensuring that unelected soldiers -- who are reserved a quarter of the parliamentary seats -- have the final say. Debate on the issue, as well as the provision barring Suu Kyi from the presidency, began yesterday and is scheduled to run until Thursday when a vote is expected. The discussions could be the last opportunity for a vote on major charter change before elections this year. Those polls, slated for October or November, are seen as a test of the countrys emergence from almost half a century of brutal military rule. The army has so far vociferously rejected any change in its voting privileges. Suu Kyi, who was locked up for some 15 years by the former junta, entered parliament in 2012 as reforms under a quasi-civilian government blew through the long-cloistered nation. Her National League for Democracy Party is widely expected to win many seats in the election. It garnered some five million signatures in a nationwide petition on charter change last year. Under the current constitution the Nobel laureate is barred from becoming president under a clause that excludes those with foreign spouses and children from top political office. Her sons are British as was her late husband.