Whips to push for speedy bill on Auditor General

The two agencies met earlier to discuss legal snags over who was in charge of the Office of the Auditor General.

Acting auditor-general Pisit Leelawachiropat, carrying out his duty on behalf of the SAC chairman, yesterday tabled the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand amendment bill for deliberation in Parliament.

Government whip chairman Udomdet Rattanasatien said the government whips resolved in a meeting to bring the item forward for deliberation next Wednesday and it is possible that the bill will sail through the House in three readings.

“The selection of the Auditor General is an urgent matter,’’ he said.

The bill seeks to amend seven Articles that touch on qualifications and the selection process of the Auditor General and the SAC.

Under the bill, the selection committee for the Auditor General is made up of seven members: the Supreme Court President, the Constitution Court President, the Supreme Administrative Court President, House Speaker, the Opposition Party leader, a person nominated by the Supreme Court and a person nominated by the Supreme Administrative Court.

The winning candidate must get the support of at least two thirds of all selection committee members. And the winning candidate must be approved by the Senate after a secret vote is called within 30 days. 

The Supreme Administrative Court in January this year confirmed a lower court decision not to suspend the appointment of Pisit as acting auditor-general pending a review on the job status of Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka, his predecessor.

The litigation arose because Jaruvan cited a coup order issued in 2006 giving her a mandate to remain in office beyond retirement. The Council of State in 2010 ruled that Jaruvan was not the rightful office holder after she had reached her retirement age of 65. The exception under the Council for Democratic Reform’s order does not cover the cause for retirement under the State Auditing Act.