Ignore the power of the people at your peril

The ruling party is now aware of the widespread public opposition to its amnesty bill, yet some members are still sending mixed signals on whether they will continue to push it through Parliament. In pledging to abide by the Senate’s decision on the bill, the Pheu Thai Party seems to have retreated from its uncompromising stance on a blanket amnesty. But figures in government, including Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, continue to voice support for the bill.

While signalling her approval for a free vote in the Senate after its debate starting on Monday, the prime minister has reiterated her backing for a blanket amnesty, which she says would lead to national reconciliation following a decade of conflict. She called on opponents of the bill to forgive and move on. And she accused citizens who have joined the anti-amnesty campaign of being influenced by people who want to bring down the government. The prime minister seems unaware that the bill’s opponents now include independent-minded academics, university students and graduates, medical professionals, judges and lawyers.

Opponents of the amnesty bill say that pardoning those involved in serious corruption and crimes, rather than having them arrested and demanding they show remorse, would set a disastrous precedent for the future. The National Anti-Corruption Commission says that, if it becomes law, the bill would quash more than 25,000 graft cases.

Judging from her broadcast on state-run media on Tuesday, Yingluck sees nothing wrong with legislation that would pardon all lawbreakers involved in any political conflict since 2004, including those convicted of corruption and other serious crimes. 

A large group of senators led by Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij on Tuesday promised to vote against the bill. The pledge came after the premier said the government would respect its decision. It was unnecessary for the speaker to make that promise. Their only obligation is to consider carefully whether granting amnesty to corrupt politicians is the right thing to do – and then vote in good conscience.

If the Senate votes to reject the amnesty bill, it will be returned to the Lower House after a grace period of 180 days. With the buck passed back, MPs must also vote in good conscience on whether to override the Senate decision.

Pheu Thai’s majority in Parliament should be used for the benefit of the country, not for any particular individual or group. Nobody can, in good conscience, agree to corruption. So it would be against good conscience to vote in support of a bill that would absolve politicians convicted of corruption.

Parliamentarians, it should be remembered, are just representatives of the public’s will. They need to heed the public’s voice, particularly over such an important issue as the amnesty bill. Many civic groups have already made their voice heard via protest marches, outdoor rallies, formal statements, civil disobedience and the social media. 

The wave of protest this week should serve as a warning to those parliamentarians siding with the blanket amnesty bill: underestimate the power of the people at your peril. If you continue to ignore the will of the people, prepare to be swept from power.