Win Myint
Win Myint (Burmese: ဝင်းမြင့်; MLCTS: wang: mrang. [wɪ́ɴ mjɪ̰ɴ]; born 8 November 1951) is a Burmese politician and former political prisoner who served as the 10th president of Myanmar from 2018 to 2021. He was removed from office in the 2021 Burmese coup d'état. He was the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Myanmar from 2016 to 2018. He also served as a member of parliament in the House of Representatives (Pyithu Hluttaw) from 2012 to 2018.[1][2] Win Myint was viewed as an important ally and placeholder for State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who served as the actual head of government but was constitutionally barred from the presidency.
Win Myint | |
|---|---|
ဝင်းမြင့် | |
 Win Myint in 2020 | |
| 10th President of Myanmar | |
| In office 30 March 2018 – 1 February 2021 | |
| Vice President | Myint Swe Henry Van Thio |
| State Counsellor | Aung San Suu Kyi |
| Preceded by | Htin Kyaw |
| Succeeded by | Myint Swe (acting) |
| 2nd Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 1 February 2016 – 21 March 2018 | |
| Deputy | T Khun Myat |
| Preceded by | Shwe Mann |
| Succeeded by | T Khun Myat |
| Member of the Pyithu Hluttaw for Tamwe Township | |
| In office 1 February 2016 – 23 March 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Lei Lei Win Swe |
| Member of the Pyithu Hluttaw for Pathein Township | |
| In office 2 May 2012 – 29 January 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Than Tun |
| Succeeded by | Wai Hlaing Tun |
| Member-elect of Pyithu Hluttaw (1990) | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Constituency | Danubyu Township № 1 |
| Majority | 20,388 (56%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 November 1951 Nyaung Chaung Village, Danubyu, Union of Burma |
| Political party | National League for Democracy |
| Spouse(s) | Cho Cho |
| Children | 1 |
| Parents | Tun Kyin (father) Daw Than (mother) |
| Alma mater | University of Yangon |
Early life and education
Win Myint was born in Nyaung Chaung Village, Danubyu, Ayeyarwady Region, Burma to parents Tun Kyin and Daw Than. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the Rangoon Arts and Science University.[2] He is married to Cho Cho and the couple has one daughter, Phyu Phyu Thin, a senior advisor of City Mart Holdings.[3][4]
Political career
1988 uprising and 1990 election
After graduating in geology from Rangoon Arts and Science University, Win Myint became a High Court senior lawyer in 1981 and become a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Myanmar. In 1985, he became a High Court advocate. He was jailed for his role in the 8888 Uprising, and has been described by some who have met him as rather a closed book.[5]
Out of jail in time for the 1990 Myanmar general election, which the military later nullified, he ran successfully for Ayeyarwady Region’s Danubyu Township, winning a majority of 20,388 (56% of the votes),[6] but was never allowed to assume his seat.[5]
2012 by-election and 2015 election
He resumed his political career in the 2012 Myanmar by-elections, winning a Pyithu Hluttaw, lower house seat in Pathein constituency, and going on to become secretary of parliament’s rule of law committee. In the 2015 Myanmar general election, he was elected as Pyithu Hluttaw MP for Tamwe Township. He served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Myanmar from 2016 to 2018.[7]
Presidency
Following the resignation of Htin Kyaw as President of Myanmar, Win Myint resigned as Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw on 21 March 2018, a move seen by many as a preparation by the National League for Democracy for Win Myint to be put forward as a candidate for the presidency. He was succeeded by his deputy T Khun Myat.[8] The Pyithu Hluttaw confirmed the election of Win Myint as the House of Representatives' nominee for vice president on 23 March 2018, paving the way for Win Myint to enter the election process for the next President of Myanmar. He defeated Union Solidarity and Development Party's candidate Thaung Aye with 273 votes to the latter's 27.[9] Win Myint was elected as the 10th President of Myanmar by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (a combined meeting of the two houses of the national legislature) on 28 March 2018, with 403 out of 636 lawmakers voting for him.[10]
On 17 April 2018, Win Myint granted amnesty to 8,500 prisoners, including 51 foreigners and 36 political prisoners.[11]
On 1st February 2021, Win Myint was detained by military along with fellow parliament members including the Democratic party leader, Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw city. His presidency was removed by military dictator lead, Min Aung Hlaing and replaced with vice-president, Myint Swe.
Later on 4th February 2021, Win Myint was charged two-weeks custody for violating rules banning gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
References
- "Names of Pyithu Hluttaw representatives announced". Union Election Commission. Government of Myanmar. 2 April 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- Khin Kyaw Han (1 February 2003). "Brief Biographies of Elected MPs". 1990 Multi-party Democracy General Elections. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- "MP profile". Pyithu Hluttaw. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- Lun Min Mang (29 January 2016). "Meet the Speakers". The Myanmar Times. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- Mang, Lun Min (29 January 2016). "Meet the Speakers". The Myanmar Times. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- "CRPP Notification 38 (translation)". Burma Library. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- "MP profile". Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- Lynn, Nyan Hlaing; Kean, Thomas (22 March 2018). "T Khun Myat: Who is the new Pyithu speaker?". Frontier Myanmar. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- Lynn, Nyan Hlaing (23 March 2018). "Parliament elects U Win Myint as Vice President, ahead of presidential vote next week". Frontier Myanmar. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- "Myanmar elects Win Myint as new president". Deutsche Welle. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- "Myanmar's President Grants Amnesty to 8,500 Prisoners". VOA. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Myint Swe (Acting) |
President of Myanmar 2018–2021 |
Succeeded by Myint Swe (Acting) |
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