Some NRC members sceptical about public support
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MEMBERS of the National Reform Council's political reform panel may not vote the same way on the charter draft, the committee's chairman Sombat Thamrongthanyawong said yesterday.
NRC members had different opinions about the charter draft, but the public’s reaction was the big issue, he said.
“Even if most NRC members want to pass the bill, the major issue is whether the charter draft will pass a public referendum,” he said.
The NRC’s political reform panel would not meet with any other panels over a decision on the draft, he said.
Sombat noted a major drawback of the draft, saying it could lead to a weak coalition government that could not function effectively and result in widespread corruption.
“The Prayut government is so powerful with the special power bestowed under Article 44 – but it still cannot deal with many problems. How can people have any hope with a weak government under this charter draft?”
The draft also offered a weak check mechanism that would not stop corruption, he said.
The draft has also come under attack from Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, who said the draft would not bring the country out of “a political black hole”, as claimed.
She strongly opposed a national government as designed by the draft, reasoning it would lead to “political collusion” and a weak and unstable political system.
“The political sector would not be able to form a coalition government, enabling a non-elected PM to lead a national government. If that was the case, only one-fifth of MPs would be left to carry out the Opposition’s roles. As a result, corruption would be rampant,” she said.
She also criticised the move to set up the National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee (NSRRC), saying the draft legitimises “power seizure” with the existence of this body.
“There will definitely not be a coup because power seizure will be legitimate. Charter drafters are very bold as – for the first time – this would be the first charter that gave more power to a group of non-elected people, more than elected politicians.”
She believed an elected government would not be able to function. For instance, it might want to offer soft loans to help low-income people – but the NSRRC could oppose it on grounds that it was a populist policy.
Meanwhile, National Legislative Assembly (NLA) deputy president Peerasak Porchit said the NLA had instructed the Assembly’s standing committee to prepare questions for a public referendum and forward the questions to NLA whips by September 7 for a decision.
“The questions can be either related to the charter or not. One question being discussed was on a national government,’’ he said.
CDC deputy chairman Manit Suksomjit said he and three other CDC members would meet with Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam and representatives from the Election Committee to discuss a referendum today. If the NRC votes to pass the charter, a referendum must be prepared immediately.
The NLA must vote within three days if the NRC votes in support of the draft.
Constitution Drafting Committee member Paiboon Nititawan said he had learnt that most NRC members have a positive attitude towards the draft because the CDC had amended the draft in the direction that the NRC wanted.
CDC chairman Borwornsak Uwanno said the seminar organised today by the drafters would give ample opportunity for the reformers to clear any doubts on the charter draft.
Meanwhile, Sombat’s panel voiced concern over whether the draft submitted to the NRC is complete, as it lacks a preface. He said Bt3 billion may be wasted on the referendum if the draft is deemed incomplete without a preface. “A preface is very important, as it presents the principles and reasons of the charter, yet the preface page was left blank,” he said.
The panel will ask NRC head Thienchay Kiranandana to get Cabinet to seek a Constitutional Court ruling on the matter before the referendum is organised.
