Public interest comes first, says NLA chairman Pornpetch

I will do my best to protect the public interest since the NLA was not elected by the people. We will pass the laws that ensure the highest public interests,’’ he said.His promise comes after wearing the NLA chairman’s hat for two weeks.
Pornpetch may not yet be entirely comfortable in the role of House chairman, but he has had experience in the field already - as House committee member scrutinising bills and debating legal disputes.
Colleagues said it was not surprising the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) picked him as the link between the junta and the House.
Pornpetch has rejected public concern the NLA might write laws in favour of the NCPO in return for their appointments. He explained the NCPO’s second stage of reform was to administer the country under the rule of law, even though such a ruling system would not be seen by critics as a full democracy.
“The NCPO has ordered the NLA to pass laws that uphold justice and the rule of law,’’ Pornpetch said.
From the moment of being appointed as head of the legislative branch to push forward the reform mission, Pornpetch has been under the watchful eye of the community and the media, since Prime Minister and NCPO chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha declared the reform as the number one task he aims to accomplish.
Pornpetch has established a committee on NLA affairs - or a whip committee - to work in parallel with the National Reform Council in driving the reform mission.
He said the NLA would adhere to the principles of the rule of law and a check mechanism in drafting legislation to uphold public interest and prevent human rights violations.
He admitted that at this stage people were not allowed to directly propose any legislation - but they were allowed to present opinions on any laws through the NRC or NLA. More than 25 people were entitled to do so in accordance with the interim charter.
Pornpetch expressed confidence the NLA would build a sound foundation for lawmakers to pass laws in the highest interest of the people at large and not in favour of any particular groups.
The laws he has been personally inspired to write so far promote the country’s democracy to become strong and sustainable, Pornpetch said.
“One thing everyone must realise is that there is not a ready-made legal formula to achieve a certain objective. We always need a set of comprehensive measures to fulfil any goal. For instance, we cannot force people to be moral and honest. We cannot write laws that make everyone richer - but at least we can create laws that help ensure equality,’’ he said.
He said the NLA had already drawn up the Charter Drafting Committee selection process by assigning the NLA whips to select the charter drafting committee members on a voluntary basis.