Myanmar military will continue remaining in politics

Photo: Reuters

The commander-in-chief of Myanmar revealed last Wednesday that the Burmese military that has controlled the country for fifty years of dictatorship will continuously stay in politics even if the nation works for democracy, according to news reported from AP.

Speaking before an estimated crowd of 6,300 troops during the celebration of the country's Armed Forces Day, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said that it is important for the military to further strengthen its capabilities and regional alliances to be able to come up with a well-disciplined democratic nation.

He further said that since the country is on the path for achieving modern democracy, the responsibility mainly lies on the role of the military in terms of national politics. As the entire populace yearn for democracy, the government will work harder to attain this objective. Moreover, he called for modern weaponry and training and closer alliances with neighbouring countries.

President Thein Sein is a former general and mostly well known ministers and powerful members of the parliament are former military officers. This is the reason why they still maintain considerable influence in the government, AP news reported.

The military's economic power is murkier, but it controls two sprawling companies with interests on trade ventures such as rice exporting, beer, hotels and mining.

Original source: http://www.betweenonline.com/2013/03/27/myanmar-military-will-continue-remaining-in-politics/