NLA passed 49 bills since taking over
Play
The National Legislative Assembly has passed 49 laws since it was set up after the May 22 coup, and most of them were bills waiting for deliberation by the House of Representatives before it was dissolved in December 2013.
NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said yesterday that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government and the military’s ruling National Council for Peace and Order had pushed for those bills because they were deemed beneficial for the public.
“Judging from people’s reaction, the laws passed by the NLA will benefit people both directly and indirectly,” Pornpetch said, adding that they included legislation that protect people’s rights and freedoms and promoted sexual equality.
“In 2015, I think the government will propose new laws that are more consistent with its policies,” the NLA president said.
There are dozens of other bills being deliberated on by the assembly, including an organic law on the prevention and suppression of corruption, Pornpetch said.
“I work with the government in setting the priority of the proposed laws. There is also a coordination committee working on this matter. The principle is that the laws must benefit people,” Pornpetch said.
“The NLA, the government and the National Reform Council have held several discussions, and though we often disagree, we can overcome our disagreements via discussion and coordination. We always end up coming to conclusions that benefit the people and the country,” he said.
The NLA president also said that he considered the meeting quorum an important issue, adding that a lack of quorum affects the legitimacy of laws passed at the meeting. He said he was very strict about NLA members asking to take leave from meetings.
“Not many members have asked for leave as they are required to have a good excuse for being absent,” he said.
Pornpetch added that the NLA was considering four separate requests by relevant independent agencies in relation to the impeachment of political-office holders. The cases are those against former Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij, former House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and 38 former senators.
