Personnel changes are shifting the focus of President Thein Sein’s administration, and helping to mold a more diverse political system for the country of Myanmar. Yesterday, Myanmar's president appointed opposition lawmaker Tin Shwe, to his cabinet.
The Wednesday assignment is believed to assist in coalescing the country’s various political objectives by giving a political rival a voice in the reformist government; a first in the nation’s history.
Tin Shwe, an upper house member of parliament from the National Democratic Force (NDF), was appointed as deputy minister of hotels and tourism by President Thein Sein.
Mr. Tin Shwe, a 67-year-old doctor, resigned from his current position to execute his duties in cabinet. He is leaving the NDF, a splinter group of the National League for Democracy (NLD), in the hands of four lawmakers who span both houses of parliament in Naypyitaw.
Several political groups have greeted the appointment with enthusiasm, but have also expressed mild consternation.
"There was no negotiation with the party and we didn't know about it in advance," NDF chairman Khin Maung Swe commented about the appointment. He later added the party nonetheless supported the appointment. Members of the NDF maintained that they “would not go easy on the government now” because one of its former members is in the cabinet.
Since his appointment, President Thein Sein has prompted several reforms to effect change in the previously junta-ruled nation.
The NDF has stated, the party will continue to oppose any proposals that do not benefit the people of Myanmar.
