Bangkok, Aug 7 (AP) Myint Swe, who assumed the role of Myanmar's acting president under contentious circumstances following the military coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi over four years ago, has died at the age of 74, the military confirmed on Thursday.
According to Myanmar's military information office, he passed away at a military hospital in Naypyitaw, the capital, on Thursday morning.
Myint Swe's death occurs over a year after he ceased actively performing presidential duties due to reported health issues.
While a state-level funeral is planned, the date remains undisclosed, according to a separate military statement.
State media indicated on Tuesday that Myint Swe had been in critical condition and receiving intensive care since July 24.
In July of the previous year, state media reported Myint Swe was battling neurological disorders and peripheral neuropathy disease, impairing his ability to perform everyday tasks, including eating. Shortly after this revelation, he authorized Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the military chief, to assume his presidential responsibilities during his medical leave.
Myint Swe became acting president on February 1, 2021, after the military detained former President Win Myint and Myanmar's top leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, during the army's power grab.
His ascension to presidency under the constitution, due to his role as first vice president, was questioned by legal experts considering Win Myint did not resign or become incapacitated.
As acting president, Myint Swe led the National Defence and Security Council, a body nominally constitutional but effectively controlled by the military, responsible for declaring a state of emergency and overseeing defense and security issues.
His compliance with military demands enabled the council to declare a state of emergency and delegate authority to Min Aung Hlaing, who orchestrated the army's takeover.
Throughout his tenure, Myint Swe's duties were primarily ceremonial, like issuing decrees to extend the state of emergency, while Min Aung Hlaing maintained control over all governmental functions.
A former general, Myint Swe was a close affiliate of Than Shwe, who led a previous military regime before a transition to a semi-civilian government in 2011.
From 2011 to 2016, Myint Swe served as chief minister of Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, during the quasi-civilian administration. He had also commanded the city’s regional military command under the preceding military rule, which ended in 2011. During the 2007 Buddhist monk-led protests, known as the Saffron Revolution, he was instrumental in restoring order following weeks of unrest, leading a crackdown that resulted in several deaths and numerous arrests.
Despite lacking a significant international profile, Myint Swe was influential in military and political circles. In 2002, he was involved in the arrest of the family members of former dictator Ne Win, according to accounts in Myanmar media.
He also orchestrated the arrest of former Gen. Khin Nyunt at Yangon Airport amid a 2004 purge during a military power struggle and subsequently took control of the military intelligence sector, which had been Khin Nyunt’s stronghold.
Following the 2021 military coup and the arrest of de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, he was among the military figures sanctioned by the US Treasury Department.
Myint Swe is survived by his wife and two children. (AP)
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