Nai Thet Lwin inaugurated as Union Minister of Ethnic Affairs

Nai Thet Lwin, vice-chairman (1) of the Mon National Party, has been sworn in as Pyidaungsu Minister for Ethnic Affairs, alongside 17 ministers for their respective ministerial posts. The induction took place in front of House Speaker Mann Win Khaing Than on Wednesday [March 30], in Nay Pyi Taw.

The appointment came from the National League for Democracy (NLD) led government, comprised of 18 ministers over 21 Pyidaungsu (Union) ministerial posts.

“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi asked me if I could bear the responsibility of Ethnic Affairs Minister. I replied that with my experience, I can take on the responsibility. However, because it is a new ministry, it will only be formed after the government is established. The main focus points are to achieve peace in the country and the conference for Panglong, as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi mentioned,” said Nai Thet Lwin, in an interview with MNA.

On Wednesday, a power transition ceremony was held at the Presidential House, in Nay Pyi Taw, wherein the outgoing president Thein Sein handed over power to Burma’s new president Htin Kyaw.

Many people have commented that although there was no ministry overseeing ethnic affairs during President Thein Sein’s term, laws protecting ethnic rights were, in fact, enacted. Now, the NLD-led government will implement such laws by establishing the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs.

Nai Thet Lwin has served for the MNP since it was at first founded under the name ‘Mon National Democratic Front’ (MNDF) in 1988. It was then renamed ‘Mon Democracy Party’ (MDP) in 2012 and in 2014 changed to the current MNP.

Originally from Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State, Nai Thet Lwin is 75 years old and holds a B.A (Philosophy) from Mawlamyine University.

The following list mentions the Pyidaungsu ministers along with their Pyidaungsu ministerial posts;

1) Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: minister for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the President’s Office, Ministry of Electrical Power and Energy, and Ministry of Education

2) Dr. Aung Thu: minister for Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation

3) U Thant Zin Maung: minister for Ministry of Transportation and Communication

4) Thura U Aung Ko: minister for Ministry of Religious and Cultural Affairs

5) U Ohn Win: minister for Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation

6) U Thein Swe: minister for Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population

7) U Kyaw Win: minister for Ministry of Planning and Finance

8) U Khin Maung Cho: minister for Ministry of Industry

9) Dr. Myint Htwe: minister for Ministry of Health

10) U Win Khaing: minister for Ministry of Construction

11) Dr. Win Myat Aye: minister for Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement

12) U Ohn Maung: minister for Ministry of Hotels and Tourism

13) Dr. Than Myint: minister for Ministry of Commerce

14) Nai Thet Lwin: minister for Ministry of Ethnic Affairs

15) Dr. Pe Myint: minister for Ministry of Information

16) Lt-Gen Sein Win: minister for Ministry of Defense

17) Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe: minister for Ministry of Home Affairs

18) Lt-Gen Ye Aung: minister for Ministry of Border Affairs