I will retire if impeached : Suthep
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Democrat Party MP Suthep Thaugsuban said Friday that he would retire from politics if he is impeached for allegedly interfering with the Culture Ministry during the Abhisit government's term.
Suthep said he accepted the rules and respected the decision of the National AntiCorruption Commission and the decision of the Senate.
The NACC on Thursday resolved to seek the impeachment of Suthep, a heavyweight in the opposition Democrat Party, for allegedly interfering with the Culture Ministry while serving as deputy prime minister.
NACC spokesman Klanarong Chantik said the NACC will forward its report and relevant documents on the matter to the Senate in support of Suthep’s impeachment and fiveyear ban from politics.
He said the NACC found that Suthep, in his capacity as a deputy prime minister, sent a letter dated February 25, 2009, to the then culture minister requesting political appointments for 19 individuals, including Democrat MPs.
The request was found to violate Article 266 of the Constitution. This prohibits Cabinet members, including the PM, from interfering with any state agency, enterprise or local government body “for personal benefits or for the benefits of others or of a political party, whether directly or indirectly”.
Although Suthep retracted the request a few days later, on March 2, 2009, by having an official retrieve his letter from the Culture Ministry, the offence had already been committed, the NACC spokesman said.
Suthep said Friday that he withdrew the list after checking the laws.
“But the NACC views that I had already committed the crime so I have to respect its decision,” Suthep said.
“I am 64 years old now. If I am banned from politics for five years, I’ll be 69 years when the ban expires, so I’d better quit politics.”
