Pheu Thai asks EC to rule on Yongyuth's status
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Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit has given his consent to initiate checks on his MP and ministerial qualifications in a bid to dispel lingering doubts on his status in the Cabinet as well as in the House.
Acting on Yongyuth’s behalf, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit yesterday petitioned the Election Commission to rule whether the deputy prime minister had to vacate his House seat.
“I hope the EC ruling on Yongyuth’s job will clear up doubts raised by the opposition,” he said.
Prompong said he saw no justification for Yongyuth to step down because he had already been exonerated.
He urged the Democrats to stop demanding Yongyuth’s resignation in order to allow the EC review on the issue to run its course.
The question arose after Yongyuth claimed clemency following the expunging of his records since 2007, even though he had been punished just two weeks previously for serious disciplinary violations in connection with the Alpine land case in 2002.
Under the Constitution, a disciplinary offender is banned from holding a House seat or joining the Cabinet.
Speaking in his defence, Yongyuth said he wanted the EC and legal scholars to check and verify his status in the House and in the government.
“I will not make further remarks on the issue until relevant agencies complete their checks,” he said.
He said his critics should not demand his exit before the completion of the checks.
He said he was willing to accept whatever the outcome following rulings by the Council of State, the Civil Service Commission and the EC.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said the red shirts in Surin had made a hasty call for Yongyuth to leave the government.
“I don’t think the pressure applied to Yongyuth is appropriate,” he said.
Chalerm voiced suspicion that the call for Yongyuth’s resignation had been orchestrated by certain masterminds within the Pheu Thai Party.
He said the red shirts should air their views at the party meeting instead of attacking Yongyuth in public.
Yongyuth worked hard for Pheu Thai when the party was at a low ebb, therefore he should be treated with respect, he added.
He said he did not mind if the Democrats petitioned the Constitution Court to rule on the issue but the Pheu Thai ranks should not try to drive a wedge in their ruling party.
Turning to the Cabinet reshuffle, he said only Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would have the final say on the matter.
Democrat MP Ong-art Klampaiboon said the main opposition party would next week file a motion demanding the prime minister explain why Yongyuth should remain in the Cabinet following his disciplinary punishment.
“The Democrats are not playing a game by questioning Yongyuth’s qualifications but want to set a clear precedent on the compliance of the anti-corruption law,” he said.
