The ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) member U Aung Thein Lin says he is afraid that U Aung Thaung, the USDP MP and senior party strategist, will no longer be able to work for the party due to ill health.  
U Aung Thaung was flown to Singapore on July 9 in critical condition for medical treatment following a stroke. 
U Aung Thein Lin told journalists after a Lower House session on July 10 that U Aung Thaung had done a great deal to build public confidence in the party.
 “At the present time, [his poor health] has left the party weak,” said U Aung Thein Lin. “I’m afraid that he will not be able to work as an MP and he will not be able to perform party duties.”
However, he said he hoped the party strategist would help the party if he is able.
U Aung Thaung, a Lower House MP of Taungtha Township constituency, collapsed at his home in Nay Pyi Taw at about 11 p.m. on July 8, and was rushed to hospital in the capital. But given his condition, the decision was made to fly him to Singapore on July 9.
Speaking about U Aung Thaung’s health, Aung Thein Lin said that U Aung Thaung’s friend who currently is in Singapore informed him by telephone that the doctors were treating him and an operation had been performed.
U Aung Thaung, formerly on the U.S. State Department’s blacklist before his recent removal, is one of the closet people to former junta chief Senior General Than Shwe, and is considered a hardliner.
The severity of the MP’s health situation was confirmed by Nay Pyi Taw neurosurgeon Dr Myat Thu, who claimed the situation was “bad.”