No protests: PM

Hinting at a strong reaction from the government, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday threatened to strictly enforce the martial law that is still in place to stop protests from either side of the political divide over the decisions of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) in the upcoming impeachment cases involving key politicians of the previous government.

“People cannot protest and decide what is right or wrong. I am not the judge. Right or wrong is up to the law. If the NLA makes the decision and you do not accept the decision and protest, I will take action,” he said.

Prayut ruled out any pardon for key politicians for the sake of national reconciliation. “The country can reconcile only when we pardon everyone first? No, it is not like that. I insist that people who commit offences must face the justice procedure. Do not come to talk to me about amnesty,” he said. 

The NLA will begin proceedings tomorrow in the cases against former Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranont and his former deputy Nikom Wairatpanich over their alleged constitutional offences, while Friday’s proceedings will see ex-prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in the dock over the controversial rice-pledging programme. 

Prayut rejected claims made by supporters of Pheu Thai that these politicians must be given the benefit of the doubt, as the 2007 chart had been revoked. The PM insisted that these politicians had administered the country and although the charter was revoked, its organic laws on counter corruption are still in force.

“I revoked only the charter but I did not annul the anti-corruption law,” he said.

Asked if he felt an impeachment verdict could spark a new round of political conflict, Prayut said he had no idea how the NLA would decide on each case. “I am the PM, I cannot give recommendations or lead the assembly,” he said. Prayut said he believed the government could control the situation as martial law, which prevents political movements, is still in force.

Asked if he felt uncomfortable about the impeachment circumstances as he had worked under Yingluck, Prayut said no. “I use the law and give justice to every side. I do not go after anyone to kill him or her. If I fully exercise my power, many people cannot survive,” he said. 

 Meanwhile, Yingluck said she would personally answer all questions in the case over the rice-pledging scheme because she was confident she could clarify every issue and no one knew the issues better than her.

Yingluck yesterday joined her legal team to discuss defence strategies after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) delivered its opening statement. The NACC has accused Yingluck of dereliction of duty by failing to stem corruption and inflicting Bt600 billion in losses on the country because of the scheme.

Yingluck’s legal team said they would argue that the scheme was a project aimed at benefiting the public and was not aimed at making profits, so it should not be judged only in terms of profit or loss. 

The lawyers said they would defend Yingluck that she had done her best and there was no dereliction of duty.

The NLA would take recourse to Article 6 of the interim charter 2014 and Article 64 of the Anti-Corruption Act, the charter’s organic laws to impeach Yingluck. During the opening statement, defendants are allowed to either personally defend themselves or send a representative.

Yingluck’s lawyers said the NLA would not question the ex-PM on Friday, as the assembly would first appoint an inquiry panel and the NACC would make its opening statement.

Norawit Lalaeng, Yingluck’s authorised lawyer, yesterday submitted a defence statement to the NLA officials. He called for live broadcast of the impeachment proceedings on state-run Channel 11, saying Yingluck would take two hours to clarify issues related to the rice-pledging scheme.

NLA whip Jetn Sirathranont said the vote on the two impeachment cases would be brought forward to January 22-23 from January 26-27 to comply with the meeting directives that the decision must be made three days after the closing statements. NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said he would look at the possibility of broadcasting live the impeachment proceedings because there was no such precedent.  

Former deputy PM Surapong Tovichakchaikul yesterday threatened to take the NLA to task if it proceeds with impeachment proceedings against key Pheu Thai politicians.