World Bulletin / News Desk

Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has stressed the need to amend the military-drafted constitution into a charter, stating in a New Year's speech Monday that such changes would “give birth to a genuine, federal democratic union”.

The leader of the National League for Democracy sought to assure the country, however, that the government would “choose ways and means that would not adversely affect the people".

The NLD took power last month from a quasi-civilian government, after almost half a century of military rule.

“People won’t suffer. It will be us who will suffer if needed. We’ll back you and protect you,” The Global New Light of Myanmar quoted her as saying.

“Countrymen are the first, the second and the ultimate. The country exists for the countrymen… And the government shall exist for the countrymen,” she underlined.

Although the NLD dominates the two house of parliament, under the 2008 charter, 25 percent of its seats are held by a military-appointed bloc, giving them power to veto amendments.

The military also controls three key ministries including the home affairs ministry, which has authority over the Myanmar Police Force, the Corrections Department and the Special Branch.