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At one point, he even put Burma’s ruthless former dictator Gen Ne Win under house arrest and his family in prison. During this internment, Ne Win, Than Shwe’s boss at the time, died a lonely, ignominious death.

 

However, the time will come when the 75-year-old supremo—whose health is a source of constant speculation—will have to be replaced. With no obvious prot?g? waiting in the wings, there are still no clear indications as to who will succeed him.

 

Military observers have long said that Than Shwe, who previously served in the psychological warfare department, zealously divides and weakens the power bases of his own military generals because he does not want any individual, or group of individuals, wielding too much authority. Instead, he deals out power and responsibility among his subordinates, ensuring everyone stays loyal to him.

 

The general even went so far as to create a department for one faithful follower, former Rangoon regional commander Lt-Gen Myint Swe, who will head up the new Bureau of Special Operations 5. In recent years, Burma has operated four BSOs, administered by four powerful generals, with jurisdiction over parts of the country outside Rangoon. Myint Swe’s new BSO will now oversee Rangoon (and potentially Pyinmana,) which had previously been controlled by the War Office. This may effectively diminish the influence of the other four BSO chiefs, as well as limit the power of the incoming Rangoon regional commander.

 

Myint Swe is also head of the newly created Military Affairs Security. MAS is basically a replacement for the now defunct Military Intelligence, which was run by former prime minister Gen Khin Nyunt. Crucially, however, the new body will be less powerful than MI and will not play a part in political decision-making.

 

Military observers believe that Than Shwe has given full authority to Home Affairs Minister Maj-Gen Maung Oo to take care of political issues, thus leaving Special Branch officers to monitor activists, opposition groups and international organizations based in Burma.

 

It has been suggested that the “Old Man” might be looking towards a peaceful retirement, and figuring out how best to ease his family out of the spotlight. But again, Than Shwe shows no sign of slowing down.