2 minute read
Myint Swe, who became Myanmar’s acting president after the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi more than four years ago, died on Thursday, The Associated Press reported citing a statement from the military. He was 74.
He died at a military hospital in the capital, Naypyitaw, on Thursday morning, according to the report.
Myint Swe’s death came more than a year after he stopped actively carrying out his presidential duties after he was publicly reported to be ailing.
His funeral will be held at the state level but the date has not been disclosed.
State media announced in July last year that Myint Swe was suffering from neurological disorders and peripheral neuropathy disease, which left him unable to carry out normal daily activities, including eating, according to AP. A few days later, he authorized Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military government, to assume his presidential duties while he was on medical leave, the reports said.
Myint Swe became acting president on Feb. 1, 2021, after the military arrested former President Win Myint along with Myanmar’s top leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, when the army seized power.