Three targeted NLA, NRC members not to be suspended
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Three members of the National Legislative Assembly and National Reform Council being targeted by the national anti-graft agency for impeachment do not have to be suspended from duty, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission said yesterday.
Wicha Mahakhun said that the three former senators no longer serve in the position they were accused of violating under the constitution.
“They are not required by law to suspend their duty. So that means they can still work as members of the NLA and NRC,” Wicha said.
The three are among 38 former senators accused of violating the now-abolished 2007 Constitution by backing amendments that would have allegedly benefited them. The NACC decided on Thursday to initiate impeachment proceedings against the ex-senators.
In a majority vote, the NACC resolved to call on the NLA to impeach the ex-senators and to forward its investigation results and accompanying documents to the NLA for further action.
Wicha said the NLA may ask the three former senators to be suspended from their duty during deliberation on their impeachment case.
“The NLA has the power to do so, but the NACC has no such power,” he added.
A legal adviser to NLA president Phornpetch Wichitcholchai maintained that the three ex-senators could still perform their duty, according to a source. The NACC chief agreed, the source added.
Direk Thuengfang, one of the three ex-senators and now a NRC member, said that given he no longer served as a senator he did not think his current job affected the impeachment case. He said he was ready to explain himself before the NLA about this.
