Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar’s coup regime, is preparing to consolidate his hold over the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) following this week’s party conference, according to inside sources.
The two-day conference, which begins today, is expected to see Khin Yi, a retired brigadier general and former chief of police, installed as party chair. A Min Aung Hlaing loyalist, he has reportedly been serving as acting chair in recent months, sidelining the heavily criticised incumbent, Than Htay.
Addressing the conference on Tuesday, Than Htay confirmed that he was stepping aside, citing health issues and his failure to lead the party to victory in the 2020 elections. He also said that he felt responsible for not being able to protect the lives of more than 2,000 party members allegedly killed in the wake of last year’s coup.
In addition to having his chosen pick take over as leader, Min Aung Hlaing is also planning to retire hundreds of military personnel to fill the party’s ranks, according to a party source.
“The majority will be colonels. They are electing Khin Yi as the new chair partly for this reason. Than Htay wanted half of the party’s members to be military and the other half civilians. However, the party is now going to be filled with retired army officers,” said the source, who wished to remain anonymous.
More than 600 army officers are set to be retired, the source added, with half going to junta ministries and the other half joining the USDP.
There have also been unconfirmed reports that two army generals retired from the military and joined the USDP on Monday. Their positions, as well as Khin Yi’s accession as party chief, are expected to be announced at the end of the conference.
All of these moves have been seen by some observers as part of Min Aung Hlaing’s plan to become Myanmar’s president after elections are held at some undetermined date in the future.
To achieve this aim, he will not only have to hand pick the party’s leader, but also ensure that its central executive committee (CEC) is prepared to do his bidding.
According to one retired army officer who is also close to the party, no surprises are expected to stand in Min Aung Hlaing’s way as he cements control over the party in the coming days.
“Khin Yi will be a figurehead leader. They’ve already agreed that the party will operate under Min Aung Hlaing’s directions. So everything will go according to plan at the conference, including the election of a new chair and the formation of a new CEC,” said the retired officer, speaking on condition of anonymity.
More than 500 party representatives, including township chairs from every state and region, are currently in the junta’s administrative capital Naypyitaw for the conference.
According to locals, security has been tight near the USDP headquarters, with police deployed to the nearby Htarwara Nyein Chan Yay Pagoda for the past 10 days.
The gate to the headquarters, which is usually kept closed, was seen open early Monday morning. However, barbed wire and uniformed guards remained in place to keep out would-be intruders.
While Min Aung Hlaing appears confident for the moment of his control over the USDP, some observers say that his reluctance to commit to an election date points to some uncertainty.
During his latest visit to Russia last month, he declined to say whether elections would be held next August as promised, saying that the matter was still not settled.
Kyi Myint, a lawyer and veteran politician, said that while the USDP’s rank and file seem eager to return to the polls, Min Aung Hlaing has other priorities.
“It appears that he is worried about party members objecting to him becoming president. That’s why he’s bringing in his own people,” he said.
