Abhisit calls on Thaksin to be broadminded

Published on Dec 25 , 2005

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday called on Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be broadminded to criticism against him or else he would risk prompting the public to believe that he would not heed criticism because he wants to reap vested interest.

Abhisit was responding to Thaksin's comments on his weekly radio programme that his critics, including media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul, had ulterior motives to come out to attack him. Thaksin alleged that Sondhi might harbour personal grudge after he was denied a TV concession.

"The prime minister should be broadminded," Abhisit said.

"If the respond allegations with allegations, his critics could say that the government does not allow itself to be criticised because it wants to reap vested interest."

Instead of attacking his critics, Abhisit said, Thaksin should have tried to argue the allegations with reasons and details.

"He should have explained how the allegations against him were not true. If he could reasonably argue against the allegations against him, his accusers will lose credibility themselves," Abhisit said.

But the Democrat leader noted that Thaksin had left so many questions unanswered and the number of unanswered questions kept on growing.

He said Thaksin failed to take action whenever people closed to him were accused of being involved in corruption.

The Nation

Now that's constructive political critiscism