Anti-graft bill sails through NLA in its first reading

[webfact]

Anti-graft bill sails through NLA in its first reading

By THE NATION

 

 

THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly (NLA) voted 200 to zero, with four abstentions, to accept in principle the new anti-corruption bill in its first reading.
 

A committee will be set up to vet the bill within 58 days. Noted anti-corruption experts and former National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) members will sit on the committee, including Klanarong Chantik and Vicha Mahakun.

 

The NLA debated key controversial points of the bill before approving it. One of the points was the timeframe for the NACC to complete an investigation – within two years – to ensure its conclusion. According to the bill, if the NACC cannot finish its investigation within that time, it could seek an extension but it must also inform the public the reasons for the delay.

 

To ensure a system of checks and balances, NACC commissioners will be subject to examination by parliamentarians if malfeasance is suspected. Parliament could request the Supreme Court to make inquiries or launch a probe. NACC officials would also be subject to probes by the Office of the Auditor-General, which would then forward its findings to the NACC to consider and determine penalties.

 

Meechai Ruchupan, who drafted the NACC bill, said the newly introduced checks and balances mechanism would be further considered by the NLA. Meechai was also the chief drafter of Thailand’s new Constitution.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30330684

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-03

[ChrisY1]

No doubt this law will be legislated quickly.....but it will just be an excuse for progress.......and it certainly won't affect to elite and connected, business as usual will prevail for them!

[yellowboat]

All these junta rubber stamped laws will need to be reviewed by an elected government.  These proceedings really makes Thailand look weak and corrupt.  

[Srikcir]

So much wrong about this legislation but note one:

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Parliament could request the Supreme Court to make inquiries or launch a probe.

The court who has the responsibility to judge guilt for corruption will be involved in investigation of alleged corrupt activities. This is a judicial conflict of interest "beyond the pale." Stack the Supreme Court with politicalized judges and corruption will beget greater corruption.

[Samui Bodoh]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

So much wrong about this legislation but note one:

The court who has the responsibility to judge guilt for corruption will be involved in investigation of alleged corrupt activities. This is a judicial conflict of interest "beyond the pale." Stack the Supreme Court with politicalized judges and corruption will beget greater corruption.

They say that the truest test of another's intelligence is how much they agree with you. Man-O-Man are you smart!

 

What exactly is the reason for having a Parliament if all that they do is recommend that another body investigate?

 

And how exactly are they going to know if something is fishy until they investigate themselves?

 

And how is this the "balance" in the "checks and balances"? The NACC has the power to investigate Parliamentarians, yet Parliamentarians do not have the power to investigate NACC personnel? Does Thailand have its own definition of what constitutes 'balance'? Its own immutable laws of physics?

 

And how can the Parliamentarians ensure that it is a fair, substantive and thorough investigation?

 

And penultimately, if the NACC decides to go after a Parliamentarian, what can Parliament do? (hint: nothing at all)

 

Thailand has created a terrible, unaccountable, political hit squad under the banner of counter-corruption. The NACC has remarkable powers and little to no oversight. Bad, bad combination...

 

This one is going to haunt the country for years and years...

 

[Dap]

Must not have detailed any military involvement