Alongkorn upbeat on reforms progress this year
A SECOND phase of national reform under the post-coup “road map” should be completed later this year, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, a vice president of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), said yesterday.
The politician-turned-reformer told a press briefing at Parliament that the NRSA aimed to complete 27 urgent issues out of 42 matters, plus pass a score of reform-related laws.
He emphasised that 2017 was “a year of reform”.
Alongkorn said some of the laws had already been submitted to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). Eight were currently being assessed by the Council of State and 36 other laws were being written by relevant state agencies, he said.
“These indicate that the national reform has been making good progress and should be completed this year in line with the goal set,” the NRSA vice president said.
Aside from that, Alongkorn said reports and recommendations on more than 140 reform points had already been given to the government. Only four topics remained with NRSA panels for revision, he said.
Given that progress, Alongkorn said he believed national reform was going well, as planned, and would yield satisfactory results under the public administration committee on national reform, national strategy, and reconciliation building.
However, Suwit Maesincee, secretary of the super-committee, said on Monday that it had plans to merge the reform committee with the national strategy committee, because the two bodies are doing similar work.
With regard to reconciliation work, Alongkorn said the current step of gathering opinions at both national and local levels showed positive signs and had been welcomed by all parties.
Alongkorn urged all parties to lend a hand to help turn the country around.
“To do that, we have to change our mindset and perspective, as well as get over the past conflict,” the reformer said. “We all should be aware that the reform involves us all. We should all start by reforming ourselves, our communities, and our organisations.”
He said the NRSA was trying to improve its communication, given Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s policy to boost the public’s understanding regarding reforms, the national strategy and reconciliation.
Alongkorn also insisted the NRSA was open to criticism and suggestions. He said, however, that criticism should be constructive, but they were willing to listen to suggestions and improve the reform plans.