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NACC targets three former Pheu Thai MPs for alleged malfeasance

NACC targets three former Pheu Thai MPs for alleged malfeasance

THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday unanimously agreed to indict three former Pheu Thai MPs accused of malfeasance regarding a 2013 constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Senate to be fully elected.

The commission would also seek impeachment for two of the three former politicians in relation to the case, NACC member Supa Piyajitti said yesterday. Impeachment would lead to five-year political bans.
The three are former Sakon Nakhon MP Narisorn Thongthiras, former Nonthaburi MP Udomdej Ratanasatien and former Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranont, who is also a politician from the then-ruling Pheu Thai Party. 
The NACC found evidence to press charges against the three, including footage and witness testimonies, after an investigative subcommittee yesterday submitted findings to the commission, according to a source. 
Narisorn is accused of voting illegally on behalf of absent colleagues during a House meeting. Udomdej is accused of switching a different version of the charter draft amendment submitted to the Parliament for the first reading. Somsak is accused of ignoring and condoning the alleged malfeasance.
The anti-graft commission will refer the case to the Attorney-General’s Office, which will forward it to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions if there are sufficient grounds. Supa yesterday said the NACC would also seek a decision from the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on whether Narisorn and Udomdej should be impeached for their alleged wrongdoing. The two would be suspended from politics for five years if the NLA voted for impeachment. 
 
Two cleared of malfeasance
In his defence, Udomdej said yesterday he had simply “revised” the original constitutional amendment before the Parliament president tabled it for House deliberation.
“I did not falsify the draft amendment. It was just revised before the Parliament president tabled it for House deliberation. I would not have done it if it could not be done,” he said.
The politician said he had already told the NACC the circumstances when he was questioned about the case.
In the same malfeasance case, the NACC sub-panel also investigated two other Pheu Thai politicians – former Maha Sarakham MP Yuttapong Jarassathien and former Kalasin MP Khomdej Chaisiwamongkol. No evidence was found to indict either of them, according to Supa.
In 2013, under the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, Pheu Thai proposed a charter amendment to make all senators elected. The party considered the 2007 constitution, written after the 2006 coup, to be undemocratic since it stipulated that half of the Senate seats were appointed. However, the Constitutional Court rejected the proposal in 2013.
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