The military council has officially announced that Myint Swe, who served as acting president during Min Aung Hlaing’s military coup, passed away at 3 AM on August 6, 2024, at the 1000-bed No. 2 Military Hospital in Yangon. Min Aung Hlaing had already taken over his position permanently since Myint Swe became ill. Myint Swe was 75 years old at the time of his death and had served in the military up to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Myint Swe’s health began deteriorating in 2023, experiencing symptoms including reduced mobility, poor nutrition intake, and Parkinson’s disease-related nervous system weakness. He subsequently received medical treatment in Singapore and Myanmar military hospitals in 2024. Despite the military council providing close medical supervision, his condition worsened in July 2025, with significant weight loss, poor appetite, fever, and decreased brain function. He was readmitted to No. 2 Military Hospital on July 24, where he ultimately passed away. The military council had been monitoring his health condition closely, providing treatment at his residence before his final hospitalization.
Myint Swe was a trusted associate of former military dictator Than Shwe and served as the Chief Minister of Yangon Region from March 30, 2011, to March 30, 2016. During the National League for Democracy government, he became Vice President, selected by the military representatives’ group. Following Min Aung Hlaing’s coup on February 1, 2021, when President Win Myint was removed from office, Myint Swe was appointed as acting president. However, he served merely as a puppet president under Min Aung Hlaing’s control and was complicit in the military council’s acts of violence. His role in the military council’s administration was largely ceremonial, with actual power concentrated in Min Aung Hlaing’s hands, particularly after Myint Swe’s health began to decline.
