Myanmar’s acting President Myint Swe dies after long illness

Myint Swe, who became Myanmar’s acting president under controversial circumstances after the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi more than four years ago, died on Thursday, the military said, Report informs via AP.

He was 74.

He died at a military hospital in the capital, Naypyitaw, on Thursday morning, according to a statement from Myanmar’s military information office.

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, a separate statement from the military information office said.

State media reported on Tuesday that he had been in critical condition and receiving intensive care since July 24 at a military hospital in Naypyitaw.

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. 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.

Myint Swe became acting president on February 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.