NRC to fast-track its work in last 2 months
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THE National Reform Council (NRC) resolved Monday to fast-track its work by having specialists knowledgeable about particular reforms to achieve important five reform areas during its remaining two months, a source said.
The decision came after the NRC met for four hours to discuss their reform roadmap and how they can achieve concrete results given its term will be shortened after the provisional charter is amended. The council may have about 60 days left to work, excluding weekends and holidays.
NRC whip spokesman Wanchai Sonsiri said the council must expedite 36 reform and development plans and bring about concrete results for five major reforms – to help build mechanisms and systems to ensure a bright future for the country by countering graft, ensuring clean and fair elections, effective local administrations, police reform, bridging the political divide and bringing about justice.
NRC president Thienchay Kiranandana would appoint specialists to work on each aspect of these reforms, Wanchai said. People who lack knowledge about these facets would be excluded from joining the new panels to prevent delays.
NRC’s 18 current reform panels must draft legislation such as bills related to their reform plans and submit them to Thienchay by the end of this month.
Some NRC members also suggested the Constitution Drafting Committee should allow it to take part in the drafting process to ensure that all parties accept the new charter before a public referendum is held.
Some reformers said the Council should vote down the charter draft in order to prevent people from instigating political turmoil – because if the NRC votes in support of the draft, a referendum must be conducted on the new constitution.
Voting down the charter draft would give the Prayut government two more years in running the country. They said one year was not enough time because the government could only address and solve problems in the short term. But members said their recommendation in this regard should not revealed to the press.
Some NRC members recommended that if the council votes in support of the charter draft, it should help the CDC campaign to get public acceptance of the draft because they have experience in organising public hearings. They reasoned that the 36 charter drafters may not be competent in campaigning for public support. With the government decision to act neutral and not support the charter campaign, the CDC may not win public acceptance and the charter may not pass the referendum especially as political groups are waiting in the wings to block their campaign.
