Impeachment process will delay reform, NLA chief warns

He said it is imperative that the NLA be impartial and adhere to what is just and lawful in conducting the impeachment process against Yingluck and the others. The other two are former Parliament president and House of Representatives speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont and former Senate speaker Nikom Wairatpanich.

“The NLA must be impartial and must not be seen to be taking a particular side or having a bias against any side. This will become a shield that will protect the NLA,” Pornpetch said. “More importantly, it will result in the lessening of conflict between people in society and create more understanding. If we create hatred by demonstrating that the NLA makes decisions that are unjust then that’s the end. Whatever follows will lack credibility,” he warned, in reference to the impeachment process and debate in the NLA scheduled for later this week.

Besides the three prominent figures, Pornpetch said impeachment would also be considered against 38 former MPs and senators. Another lot of impeachment, he said, will involve 200 more people and was yet to be submitted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The NLA president admitted he was worried it would take away a lot of meeting time from the NLA’s other work.

Pornpetch said it was impossible that the result, no matter how it goes, would please every one, as one’s perception of the decision would depend on one’s predisposition. It is unclear at present whether Yingluck will be present in person at the NLA to defend herself on Friday as scheduled. The process next week will involve the NACC detailing charges against the accused to the NLA followed by the accused defending themselves in front of the House, and the House asking questions followed by the decision of the House.