By Anadolu Staff
ANKARA (AA) – Myanmar's acting President Myint Swe has transferred his duties to the junta chief after falling gravely ill, local media reported on Tuesday.
Suffering from severe neurological disorders and malnutrition, the 73-year-old leader is no longer able to manage state affairs or perform basic daily tasks.
His duties related to national defense and security affairs have been handed over to the chairman of Myanmar's State Administration Council, the military junta governing the country since the 2021 coup, Eleven Myanmar news outlet reported.
Last week, the country's Information Ministry announced that Swe has been receiving regular medical treatment from a team of specialists. He has been suffering from psychomotor retardation and malnutrition since early 2023.
"He is suffering from neurological disorders and peripheral neuropathy," the ministry said, adding that he is unable to perform normal daily activities, including eating food.
This development comes about a week before the state council is scheduled to meet to renew the state of emergency imposed since the military seized power in February 2021.
Swe previously served as vice president under Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government.
Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was the de facto leader of Myanmar before being ousted in the military coup of February 2021.
Following the coup, the military appointed Myint Swe as acting president, effectively sidelining Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party.
*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid