PM refuses to discuss NRSA’s proposed referendum question

He added that it depended on the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and that he could not intervene. 

 

Members of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) were invited to propose one question for the referendum on the draft charter, which they came up with on Friday. The NRSA’s suggestion will be considered by the NLA before it is finalised tomorrow. 

“[We] had better let the process continue as normal,” the premier said at his weekly press briefing. 

Some NLA members are apparently in favour of the question because they believe a special mechanism is required to help maintain the country’s stability during the transitional period. 

However, some political figures, such as Democrat Ongart Klampaiboon, are against the question because they believe it could give some “backstage players” some extra political power. 

The premier, however, called on people to go to the poll and decide, before warning groups to stop ganging up to campaign against the draft charter. 

“Whether you agree or disagree, you will all have to live together eventually. You can do what you want, but don’t create conflicts. You have to understand that,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the government and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) have confirmed their stance on the draft charter handed in by the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC).

Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday that the draft charter was strong enough to fight corruption, pointing out that it levied severe punishment against corrupt politicians and prevented tainted individuals, such as those facing court cases, from running in an election. 

“This charter prevents corrupt individuals from going down the path to power. However, some provisions in the draft do not match the demands of the government and the NCPO, who do not want to see the country divided,” he said. 

He also called on the government to honour and respect CDC members, especially chairman Meechai Ruchupan, and thanked them for their hard work in trying to steer the country towards reform. 

The government also called on the public to carefully study the content of the charter and not fall for distortions of the truth when casting their ballots in the referendum. 

“Critics only focus on how politicians acquire power, their positions and rights without looking at the charter’s content and realising that it focuses on upgrading the livelihood of the people. Some critics are also overlooking the charter drafters’ good intentions,” he said citing Article 54, which supports 12 years of free education.