Interview

'No Interim Government'

By THE IRRAWADDY Thursday, January 27, 2011

COMMENTS (9)

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Khin Shwe, the CEO of Zaykabar Company and a top business tycoon in Burma, is an elected representative of the junta's proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). He has been listed on the US economic sanctions since 2007 due to his close proximity to several leading members of the military regime. His daughter is married to the son of former Gen Shwe Mann who is also a leading USDP representative.

As Khin Shwe arrived in Naypyidaw on Thursday afternoon for a USDP meeting the following day, The Irrawaddy spoke to him about rumors of a Shwe Mann presidency, and asked him whether USDP officials within the incumbent government are going to resign their ministerial positions before the opening of Parliament on Monday.

Question: Will Shwe Mann be the president of the new government?

Answer: That's a mere topic of speculation, I would say.

Q: Then what about the reports that you are one of the potential nominees representing the USDP for the vice-presidential post in the Upper House?

A: The State will manage the process by itself. Actually, I have heard that rumor, but that reflects only the speculations of opposition parties. Everyone has his own wish. But wishes are just wishes, that's all. They don't always become reality. As for me, since I have a business background, I would be happy enough with a position related to a sector regarding the country's economy. Personally, I prefer a businessman's life and I have always been able to stand on my own two feet.

Q: The USDP has scheduled an important meeting for tomorrow (Friday). What will be the topics of discussion? We have heard that the party will decide which USDP MPs will represent the party in the new government.

A: Yes, there are lots of reports and rumors about this or that person going to become a minister and so on. However, I am so busy with my businesses and with paving roads in my constituency, Twantay, that I don't exactly know any more about those reports.

Q: Are the USDP representatives who still hold cabinet positions in the government going to resign before the Parliament convenes on Jan. 31?

A: There are no such plans. Everything will take place according to the procedures outlined in the constitution. The process (of forming a new government) will take a few days, but it would be completed step by step.

Q: So there will be no interim government during the process of power handover from the military government?

A: No. There will be no interim government, as far as I know.

COMMENTS (9)

John Baptiste Wrote:

07/02/2011

I think he is another sucker from Chinese community. Wanswe

kerry Wrote:

02/02/2011

These guys and their wives almost look like living breathing human beings, don't they!

George Than Setkyar Heine Wrote:

30/01/2011

The guy's as slippery as an eel for that matter. Nothing substantial comes out of his mouth. Maybe he wouldn't tell or knows nothing about what's going to happen in Than Shwe's whore house parliament in the first place.

Than Shwe's quite a secretive guy. Nobody knows when he would step into bed not even his wife I bet.

He is even afraid of his own shadow no less as we know.

Leading this kind of a life in this free world also is his Karma no less as well.
Khin Shwe's a frog only in Than Shwe's pond hence he has no way of knowing beyond his waters of course.

As a member of Than Shwe's thieving gang he knows only how to steal (business) and lie as well.

Even if he is given a ministerial post, he wouldn't be happy as it would restrict his expertise - thieving and lying - which he knows since day one of coming into this world.

Old Habits Die Hard as they say no less.
And thieves fear the light of day like vampires dread day light.

Even vampires die and Khin Shwe is no exception as well.

Myanmar Patriots Wrote:

30/01/2011

PB Publico Wrote:
"He cares about his business, the private business, not much of anything else. "
REPLY: SO WHAT! Business is the domain of businessmen. If he does not want to enter politics, that is his choice. Minding his won business is his HUMAN right. It is up to Parliament to regulate the business so that there are no inequities and exploitations.

Most Burmese people don't care for politics. Most of those who got involved an ill-educated half-baked opportunists. Rest are commentators, armchair theorists, so opinionated.

Properly regulated business - and media - can do good for Burmese people/Myanmars.

Myanmar Patriots Wrote:

30/01/2011

john eichler Wrote:

28/01/2011
"This guy is a great politician! After reading the interview, I know nothing more than before. He never gave a straight answer on anything!

I hope Burma will go the way of Tunisia and Egypt."

REPLY: been there, done it! Where have you been man? Don't you know 1962, 1988, 2007?

We know what's going to happen in Tunisia and Egypt. Media having field day but for poor sods of Tunisia and Egypt nothing good will come out.

You are right about politicians never giving straight answer and talking a lot and saying nothing. Contrast this with the army.

Myanmar Patriots Wrote:

30/01/2011

Why interim government? Putting words in the mouth of interviewee is no good.

john eichler Wrote:

28/01/2011

This guy is a great politician! After reading the interview, I know nothing more than before. He never gave a straight answer on anything!

I hope Burma will go the way of Tunisia and Egypt.

Myint Myat Twe Wrote:

28/01/2011

Khin Shwe is clever business man, he will try to stand on his own foot, no doubt who ever have the power he'll going to attach them.
We get nothings ray of hope for country and Burmese people from Khin Shwe words, he just talking about his wish to become reality.

PB Publico Wrote:

28/01/2011

It is wonder of all wonders, a man who is going to be one of the most influential in the next "parliament" and government has only his business on his mind and knows very little of what is going on in the politics of the country he and his associates are going to run.

He cares about his business, the private business, not much of anything else.

I believe him: he will pull in and absorb whatever comes into his sphere of influence as his own corporate business when he is in the government.

Wonderful people!!!