AFTER an election last November, Myanmar's army chief had faced imminent retirement, as well as the sidelining of the army's favoured political party and foreign calls for him to be tried for war crimes against Rohingya Muslims.
On Monday, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was in full charge of Myanmar after a coup toppled elected leader Aug San Suu Kyi, whose popularity for standing against decades of junta rule had won her another landslide.
The army acted in the name of alleged election malpractices - which the electoral commission had denied - and said it would hold a fair ballot when conditions were right and hand over to the winner.
A senior diplomat based in Yangon said Min Aung Hlaing had been driven by personal interest.
"There was no path for him to assume a leadership role in this government through the means that the constitution provided," the envoy said on condition of anonymity.
Neither Min Aung Hlaing nor the army was available to comment on any part personal ambitions had played in the coup. Myanmar has denied accusations of war crimes and has said the military's actions were part of a fight against terrorism.
A diminutive figure, Min Aung Hlaing often wears round, rimless spectacles that gave him more the appearance of an office clerk than commander of one of the region's largest standing armies.
Showing signs of wanting to look more statesman-like, he had embraced Facebook and, like a politician on the campaign trail, made donations to Buddhist temples.
Some pundits had tipped him as a potential candidate for president, even though that post had previously gone to Suu Kyi's ruling National League for Democracy (NLD).
But the pro-military party was beaten heavily by the NLD in November's election and Min Aung Hlaing was heading for retirement as he neared the end of a five-year extension to his term, granted in 2016.
Bangkok-based Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch said he believed the coup was sparked by the military's frustration that they "got so clearly wiped out" in the election.
"It's like taking a hammer to kill a mosquito -- they went to the greatest extreme in a way that indicates that they're really not on board with the democratic experiment if it doesn't go their way," Robertson said.
SLOW AND STEADY
Born in 1956 in Southern Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing steered clear of the political activism that was widespread at the time when he studied law at Yangon University in the 1970s.
"He was a man of few words and normally kept a low profile," a classmate told Reuters in 2016.
While fellow students joined demonstrations, Min Aung Hlaing made annual applications to join the premier military university, the Defence Services Academy (DSA), succeeding on his third attempt in 1974.
A member of his DSA class said he had been just an average cadet who was "promoted regularly and slowly."
Min Aung Hlaing's career took off after he was placed in charge of operations in Myanmar's eastern border where, in 2007, he supported a bloody crackdown on the Saffron Revolution, a monk-led protest against rising fuel prices.
A year later, he oversaw a campaign to drive armed rebels from an enclave of eastern Myanmar that violated a 20-year long ceasefire and drove some 37,000 people into China.
That success, army watchers say, was behind his promotion to army chief in 2011, the year Myanmar began its transition to democracy, paving the way for the free and fair election won by Suu Kyi in 2015. She became State Counsellor in 2016.
POWERFUL FORCE
Min Aung Hlaing remained a powerful force in politics.
Using a Burmese term for the armed forces, he said in 2016: "The Tatmadaw has to be present as the leading role in national politics."
With a quarter of parliamentary seats reserved for unelected military officers, Min Aung Hlaing was able to block amendments to the constitution that enshrined deep political powers for the military.
With three powerful ministries under military control, he had a strong hold over Myanmar's bureaucracy. As army chief, he also reserved the right to "take over and exercise State sovereign power" in emergencies.
In 2017, the military launched a crackdown that sent over 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, creating a humanitarian emergency and the world's largest refugee camp. Min Aung Hlaing became the public face of the offensive.
"The Bengali problem was a longstanding one which has become an unfinished job," he said, using a derogatory term for the Rohingya.
United Nations investigators have said the offensive included mass killings, gang rapes and widespread arson and was executed with "genocidal intent," allegations the military has denied.
In response, the United States imposed sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing and three other military leaders in 2019. Several court cases are proceeding in various international courts, including the International Court of Justice.
Reuters
Tue Feb 02 2021
Born in 1956 in Southern Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing steered clear of the political activism that was widespread at the time when he studied law at Yangon University in the 1970s. REUTERS file pic
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.