YANGON ( - Aung San Suu Kyi’s planned debut in Myanmar’s parliament next week could be shelved amid a standoff between her party and the government over one word used in the swearing-in oath for new lawmakers. Newly elected MPs from Suu Kyi’s NLD party see the oath in its present form as a potential hurdle in plans to make an impact in a legislature influenced by the military, and refuse to sit in the chambers until it is changed. Top NLD official Nyan Win travelled to the Naypyitaw Thursday to convince the election officials and legislators to change the vow to “safeguard the constitution” but it appears, without success.
The NLD’s demand puts it on a collision course with other lawmakers and the reform-minded ex-generals in government, who want Suu Kyi in parliament to boost its credibility, but may not give in easily to its demand. The current lower house session is due to resume on Monday, with or without the 37 new NLD MPs.
“The chairman of the Election Tribunal explained to me ... this sort of oath has to be taken by parliamentarians at all parliaments across the world,” Nyan Win said by telephone after his visit to Naypyitaw.
He said he would convey the message to Suu Kyi and the NLD would likely make an announcement soon about its next step.
Earlier on Thursday, Suu Kyi played down the standoff, expecting the government, for the good of democracy, to bow to her party’s demands.
“We don’t mean we will not attend the parliament, we mean we will attend only after taking the oath,” she said, speaking in Burmese, during her weekly address on Radio Free Asia.
“Changing that wording in the oath is also in conformity with the constitution. I don’t expect there will be any difficulty in doing it.”
Suu Kyi carries immense political clout and her house debut was due to take place on the same day the European Union was expected to announce the suspension of some sanctions, as advocated by Suu Kyi last Friday. The United States and Australia are expected to follow suit in the coming months.