Reconciliation panel chief says House to decide on proposals
Play
The chairman of the House ad hoc committee on national reconciliation reiterated on Wednesday night that his panel's job is done and it is up to the House of Representatives to decide on what to do with the proposals made by his panel.
The Lower House late Wednesday evening began debating on the reconciliation research report by King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI) of the Parliament on which the House panel’s proposals are based.
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the panel chairman, said national reconciliation is the most urgent task for the country.
“The job of the committee is done. We’re presenting [the findings based on KPI’s report] to the House. I consider my task complete and what would be done next will be up to the Parliament,” said Sonthi.
Government and opposition MPs dig themselves deep to defend their positions, however, with opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and MPs from his Democrat Party casting doubt on the rush to have the KPI’s report adopted selectively in benefits of one party.
The opposition MPs warn that such hasty move by using majority of the votes in the House to decide the matter would not lead to national reconciliation.
Abhisit warned that selective adoption of KPI’s proposal, such as the absolution of the junta-appointed Asset Examination Committee’s (AEC) actions against former premier Thaksin Shinawatra would lead to greater political conflict. Abhisit also cited a statement released by the KPI warning of a “war of reconciliation” if its proposals are rushed in and selectively adopted.
A number of Pheu Thai MPs defended Sonthi’s committee by saying it was up to the Parliament to decide about the next move.
Wattana Muangsuk, a Pheu Thai MP and member of the House’s national reconciliation committee, accused the opposition of distorting the notion of majority rule.
“There is no such thing as parliamentary dictatorship or dictatorship of the majority. Judges decide by adhering to majority ruling. The [2007] charter is decided through majority votes of the referendum and although I do not approve it, I accept it,” said Wattana.
“Thailand needs to enter reconciliation process as quickly as possible,” he said.
The debate is scheduled to resume Thursday afternoon.
