Yet another ministry for Suu Kyi!

Myanmar's president has urged the creation of a new ministry for Aung San Suu Kyi's state advisor position, official media reported yesterday, a move that will deepen her influence and likely rile the powerful army.

Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency by the military-drafted constitution despite having led her pro-democracy party to a landslide victory in November.

She has instead hovered up a slew of other senior positions, including foreign minister, president's officer minister, and the specially-devised role of state counsellor, which gives her vaguely-defined powers to guide parliamentary affairs.

The broad array of powers across government has helped the veteran activist fulfil a pledge to rule "above" her presidential proxy and close ally Htin Kyaw.

The proposal for a ministry to support her role "is intended to speed up the government's efforts at national reconciliation, internal peace, national development and the rule of law", the English language state newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar reported yesterday.

Parliamentary debate on the proposal is set to take place next week. That discussion will likely feature objections from military MPs.

"A new ministry is not really needed for the national reconciliation and peace process. But I won't stand against the proposal," said Ba Sein from the Arakan National Party.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy can comfortably pass most of its bills because of its hefty majority.