CNI News
May 16, 2026
Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Hla Swe told CNI News that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is like a "Brahma’s head"—hot to hold, yet capable of causing a conflagration if set down.
Currently, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is being detained by the transitional government led by President U Min Aung Hlaing, while international bodies and revolutionary forces continue to demand her release.
U Hla Swe remarked that keeping Daw Aung San Suu Kyi within Myanmar is akin to holding onto a Brahma’s head, suggesting that if the international community wishes to take her, they are free to do so.
"People from the Philippines came to discuss our country’s affairs. Our position follows the ASEAN Charter; there is no reason to interfere in or discuss the internal affairs of any member state. It’s already in the Charter, so there’s no reason to meddle. We won’t accept their interference," U Hla Swe said.
President U Min Aung Hlaing casting his vote in an election.
He continued, "They say, 'Release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,' and so on. Fine, then you take her. But who is going to bear the burden of her criminal debts? She sent $1 billion to the U.S.—who is going to pay that back? Is Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. going to settle that debt? If he is, I’d be delighted. Pay the $1 billion and take her. She is a Brahma’s head; hold it and it burns, drop it and it sets everything on fire. That is an old Myanmar proverb. We are wasting money feeding such a person. Please, come and take her away. But I want to send a message to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.: clear up her issues first."
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of independence hero General Aung San, entered politics during the 1988 uprising to lead Myanmar’s democracy movement. Her supporters regard her as the leader of Myanmar’s democracy. She served as the Chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and led the NLD government from 2015 to 2020.
Following the February 1, 2021, military takeover—stemming from allegations of unresolved voter list disputes in the 2020 election—she was ousted and imprisoned. In April 2026, she was moved to house arrest. Consequently, ASEAN has called for her release, and the current ASEAN Chair, Philippine President Marcos, stated he is in discussions with President U Min Aung Hlaing’s government regarding her freedom.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi being welcomed by a Philippine guard of honor upon arriving for an ASEAN meeting in April 2017 (Photo: GMA).
Political analyst U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is the one currently suffering and that it is unfair to blame her for the ongoing political conflict.
"You cannot say Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has 'criminal debts.' These are matters arising from politics. These are charges filed under different headings because political crimes make things difficult to manage. If they truly wanted to release her, these are cases that could be dropped," U Htet Aung Kyaw said.
He added, "Assigning these labels is just a way to keep her detained for political reasons; therefore, the term 'criminal debt' is meaningless. If the leaders reach an understanding, these cease to be crimes. They are only 'crimes' because they haven't reached an agreement. You cannot blame the person currently in prison for what is happening. It’s like blaming the victim. Every leader has made mistakes—the military has made mistakes, civilian politicians have made mistakes, and ethnic armed groups have made mistakes. No one is entirely in the right."
Democracy activists maintain that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains committed to a government chosen by the people, equality for all under the law, a parliament based on democratic standards, and constitutional reform.
