Varsity chiefs offer six reform proposals
University presidents yesterday proposed to the National Reform Council the need for clear separation of the executive and legislative branches, direct election of the prime minister, support for allowing independent members of parliament and a ban on MPs
Pradit Wanarat, acting chairman of the committee of university presidents and a member of the National Legislative Assembly, said the meeting agreed that the proposals, if implemented, would strengthen the political party system.
The set of six recommendations made to Thienchay Kiranandana, chairman of the NRC, included doing away with the Senate, depending on its assigned powers and authority under the new charter, and the creation of a People’s Council of 900 members with one elected per district.
The People’s Council would have the mandate and authority to scrutinise the use of power by the executive branch.
The other ideas were reforming politics in such a way that no capitalist group could dominate, and designing a hybrid system of local administration with elected administrators and those appointed for their knowledge and capability.
