Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing has appointed Yar Pyae as the new defence minister, moving the former peace negotiation chief into one of the country’s most powerful positions as his administration continues to reshuffle its cabinet.
Yar Pyae, who chaired the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), was appointed on Wednesday, replacing Tun Aung, who has been reassigned as minister for digital development and communications.
According to a DVB report, the latest cabinet changes came as Min Aung Hlaing continued to rearrange key ministerial positions in Naypyidaw following his inauguration as president by a pro-military parliament on April 10.
In his new role, Yar Pyae chaired a workshop in Naypyidaw on October 15-16 to mark the 11th anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). At the closing session, he called for the establishment of a democratic federal union, lawful extraction of natural resources and a unified peace process.
Yar Pyae has held several senior positions under the military administration since the February 2021 coup, serving as minister for border affairs and home affairs before becoming a national security adviser. He remained in these roles until April 10, when the national security advisory position was abolished by the pro-military parliament.
The reshuffle also brought changes to the social welfare and health ministries. On October 14, retired military doctor Ko Ko Lwin was appointed minister for social welfare, relief and resettlement, replacing Soe Win. Ko Ko Lwin previously served as executive chief of the Social and Health Bureau of the President’s Office.
Soe Win, meanwhile, was moved to the health ministry following the retirement of Thet Khaing Win on October 9. Both Soe Win and Ko Ko Lwin are reportedly physicians and close associates of Min Aung Hlaing.
Earlier, on October 3, Maung Myint was transferred from the hotel, tourism and culture ministry to the labour ministry, while the outgoing labour minister, Khin Maung Soe, took over his former portfolio.
Min Aung Hlaing established 31 ministries on April 6, four days before becoming president. The number exceeds the 25 ministries maintained under the National League for Democracy (NLD) government, which was removed from power in the military coup of February 1, 2021.
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