"U Aung Lin Dwe, a former general and longtime loyalist of coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, will oversee the selection of the next president and cabinet over the next two weeks after taking office as speaker of the post‑coup Upper House. The presidential election is due to take place later this month amid widespread rumors within the regime that Min Aung Hlaing intends to secure the role after stepping down as commander‑in‑chief. If he stands, the vote elevating him to the post will be chaired by one of his closest confidants—a clear indication of the trust he places in U Aung Lin Dwe. That trust has been on display throughout the junta’s five years in power. As secretary of the State Administration Council (SAC), U Aung Lin Dwe signed more than 350 decrees on Min Aung Hlaing’s behalf to ensure the regime’s administrative machinery functioned smoothly. While the junta chief personally signed key political orders—including the formation of the SAC and its successor, the State Security and Peace Commission—U Aung Lin Dwe handled most other executive directives. These ranged from appointing and dismissing ministers and deputy ministers to installing Central Bank chiefs, declaring martial law, reassigning military officers, and token reduction of jail sentences for democracy leaders U Win Myint and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi . His central role in the regime’s day‑to‑day governance reflects the depth of Min Aung Hlaing’s reliance on him. U Aung Lin Dwe—then a lieutenant general—was appointed SAC secretary as soon as the junta was formed in 2021. He remained in that post even as other top brass were purged, before being promoted to full general and serving in the restructured State Security and Peace Commission and the Office of the National Defense and Security Council. Under the 2008 Constitution, the Upper House speaker presides over the presidential election as chair of the Union Parliament. Political observers say this constitutional point is a key reason U Aung Lin Dwe was elevated to speaker, as Min Aung Hlaing is widely expected to assume presidency in the incoming government. Analyst Ko Htin Kyaw Aye noted that U Aung Lin Dwe’s immediate priority is the presidential election. “He will serve to ensure the process goes smoothly,” he said. Speculation regarding the junta chief’s intentions intensified after U Khin Yi—previously viewed as a potential presidential contender due to his role as chairman of the military’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party—was instead appointed speaker of the Lower House. Meanwhile, Min Aung Hlaing held what observers described as a farewell party among his generals, further reinforcing expectations that he will assume the presidency after stepping down as commander-in-chief—a position he has held for 15 years. U Aung Lin Dwe, 64, won an Upper House seat on the USDP ticket in Mandalay Region in the junta’s December-January election. During campaigning, he highlighted his experience as commandant of the Defense Services Technological Academy and the Defense Services Academy, as well as his six years as Judge Advocate General. His administrative and legal background is exactly what Min Aung Hlaing needs to ensure his bid for presidency proceeds smoothly in parliament. U Aung Lin Dwe will serve as speaker of the bicameral parliament for the first half of its five-year term, before the Lower House speaker takes over for the remainder. His close ties with Min Aung Hlaing predate the coup by decades. The two men have been linked since their days at the Defense Services Academy, where U Aung Lin Dwe served under Min Aung Hlaing when the latter was still a commandant. When Min Aung Hlaing became military chief in 2011, he oversaw his confidant’s steady rise through the ranks — from Western Command chief in 2014 to Judge Advocate General in 2016, and later to SAC secretary after the coup. Military sources say his promotions resulted less from professional merit than unwavering loyalty to Min Aung Hlaing. His family reaped benefits from his rise. Following his promotion to SAC secretary, three businesses owned by his wife and children—Mingalar Aung Myay Co, Aung Myint Moh Lin Co, and Shwe Yi Phyo Pyae Co.—expanded rapidly, becoming key players in construction and manufacturing. At the same time, his younger sister, Dr. Su Su Dwe, was promoted from medical superintendent of Mandalay General Hospital to director‑general of the Traditional Medicine Department. Analysts note that as leader of the rubberstamp parliament, U Aung Lin Dwe is unlikely to prioritize the public interest. Instead, they expect him to continue advancing the interests of Min Aung Hlaing and his own family, just as he did throughout the junta’s five years in power..."