Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- The resignation of Myanmar 's first vice president could pave the way for the introduction of more reformers into President Thein Sein 's government , experts say . The departure of Tin Aung Myint Oo was announced by the government on Wednesday . An official statement said he was in Singapore receiving treatment for a medical condition . Myanmar 's VP resigns for health reasons . A former general with close ties to Myanmar 's retired dictator , Than Shwe , Tin has long been viewed by observers as a hardliner who did not agree with the president 's reform agenda -- and the vacated cabinet spot presents an opportunity for a change of direction . `` A lot of people are hoping that the president will have time to choose a more moderate vice president , perhaps one who sees eye to eye with him to move the reform process forward , '' said Aung Zaw , the editor of Thailand-based Irrawaddy magazine , which covers Myanmar news . In April , Britain 's Financial Times reported that several conservative leaders in Myanmar -- including the vice president -- were in danger of being replaced . Thein Sein has been praised for the country 's dramatic changes over the past year , most notably with elections that introduced pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of her party to Parliament . But Myanmar watchers lament the slow pace of change , which some attribute to the administration 's conservative faction , led by Tin . Aung San Suu Kyi appeals for help for Myanmar . With his resignation , observers believe a cabinet reshuffle could increase the pace of reform , especially long-awaited economic legislation , following a recent suspension of sanctions against Myanmar by the United States and the European Union . The Foreign Investment Law is meant to encourage overseas businesses to invest in the country by protecting their legal rights . The finalization of the law , however , has met with an unexplained delay . Aung Zaw said the current administration as ineffective , filled with people who do not work well together or talk to each other , and are resistant to change . If Thein Sein does not remove a few such ministers from his government , he said , the president risks undoing the progress that has been made so far . Yet it is not wholly up to the president to fill the empty seat -- far from it . According to Myanmar law , the new vice president will again be a member of the armed forces , nominated by the Parliament 's military members . Even so , the armed forces ' nomination will likely be a joint decision along with the rest of Parliament and the president . `` There will be a lot of pre-dialogue and discussions ; there are already ongoing discussions , '' he said . `` I think they already have chosen a person , but the final decision has n't come out yet because it 's quite secretive at the moment . `` Governments who watch Burma carefully , I think , will be quietly relieved that the vice president is gone , '' he added , using the other name for Myanmar .
Tin Aung Myint Oo , Myanmar 's first vice president , resigned , citing health reasons . He is known as a hardliner who did not agree with President Thein Sein 's reform agenda . Observers believe a cabinet reshuffle could increase the pace of reform . Some attribute a slow pace of reformation to the administration 's conservative faction .