in 1964, he became "minister for construction and public work" in ne win's administration. in 1971, he also chaired the burma socialist programme party's party inspection committee. on 20 april 1972, sein win retired from army. in 1974, he became prime minister of the "socialist republic of the union of burma". in 1977, he was blamed for the economic problems of the country and dismissed from office by president ne win. he then became a state councillor of burma, a position from which he retired in 1985.