Impeaching corrupt politicians is the first major step toward national reform: NACC

[webfact]

Impeaching corrupt politicians is the first major step toward national reform: NACC
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- While all sides delivered closing statements yesterday, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) reminded the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) that impeaching corrupt politicians was one of the most important steps toward national reform.

The NACC made this point as it delivered its final statement against former Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranon and his deputy Nikom Wairatpanich. The NLA is set to vote tomorrow on whether or not it should impeach the two.

"The impeachment process is the first step towards national reform that must be demonstrated to the public and make them realise clearly that all high-ranking officials or politicians should have high integrity and morality," NACC representative Wicha Mahakhun said yesterday.

Earlier yesterday, both sides had asked the NLA for documents to use as a guideline to put their case forward. However, NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai denied this request, reasoning that all sides take to the floor and present their case verbally.

The NACC found both Somsak and Nikom guilty of violating the 2007 Constitution by trying to push through an amendment to change the Senate's makeup.

In his closing statement, Wicha pointed out that the NACC was authorised by the current anti-graft act and the provisional charter to take the case to the NLA, even though the accused say the accusations are no longer valid as the 2007 charter had been torn up by the coup-makers.

"Somsak and Nikom violated the charter, and their actions are perceived as having violated Article 3 Section 2 and Article 291 of the [2007] charter," the NACC representative insisted.

Wicha added that the former Parliament president and his deputy failed to uphold their integrity, morality and had all intentions to abuse their authority and amend the charter for personal benefit.

By changing the make-up of the Senate and ensuring it is only comprised of elected senators, Nikom would have directly benefited, because he could have stayed in his position longer even though his term had come to an end.

"Even if the charter is defunct, the guilt still remains," Wicha pointed out.

However, Nikom defended himself by saying that he had come to address the NLA to protect the legislative branch and rule of law, not himself.

"I have come [to participate] in the [impeachment] process to seek justice for the legislative branch and the NLA, not myself. Therefore, I am asking that justice be served towards the system by not letting other agencies such as the NACC intervene with other organisations' affairs," Nikom said.

The former Parliament vice president said in his opening statement on January 8 and the question-and-answer session on January 15 that his actions were in keeping with Parliament's meeting regulations all along.

After Nikom's closing statement, the NACC shifted its focus on the case against former Parliament president Somsak, who the NACC is holding responsible for highly unlawful actions.

"Somsak forged the draft of then-MP Udomdej Rattanasatien's proposal on changing the composition of the Senate and took it to a Parliament meeting for scrutiny - that is against the code of morality," Wicha concluded.

Somsak did not show up yesterday to deliver his closing statement, which prompted deputy NLA chief Surachai Liengboonlertchai to question his absence.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Impeaching-corrupt-politicians-is-the-first-major--30252423.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-22

[Lingba]

There will be no one left to run the government

[tbthailand]

"The impeachment process is the first step towards national reform that must be demonstrated to the public and make them realise clearly that all high-ranking officials or politicians should have high integrity and morality," NACC representative Wicha Mahakhun said

Wicha, Mister "we all know elections are evil' must be so very concerned about elected officials ...

[noitom]

A Thai impeachment. What a waste of time. Why don't they just charge, indict, and try them? Prosecute them, don't let them off with some Thai mumbo jumbo impeachment.

[Robby nz]

I am asking that justice be served towards the system by not letting other agencies such as the NACC intervene with other organisations' affairs," Nikom said.

Yes indeed keep the NACC away from investigating "Other organisations" regardless of how corrupt they are.

[hanuman2543]

"Wicha added that the former Parliament president and his deputy failed to uphold their integrity, morality and had all intentions to abuse their authority and amend the charter for personal benefit."

Isn't this a description of character which fits nearly every Thai politician and Government official?

Edited January 22, 2015 by hanuman2543

[chainarong]

Lets stop the grandstanding and media stops and have a good old DSI investigation , ending in a court appearance and a long prison term, it seems that the path for Politicians and the ordinary public are two different paths any corruption of any kind is a police matter , then again you are dealing with the RPT, now that's a worry.

[Tatsujin]

"I have come [to participate] in the [impeachment] process to seek justice for the legislative branch and the NLA, not myself."

... and the "I'm a good guy, I did nothing wrong, we had the mandate of the people to do what we want, and this is all political" hero stance continues for the gullible.

[Roadman]

I am asking that justice be served towards the system by not letting other agencies such as the NACC intervene with other organisations' affairs," Nikom said.

Yes indeed keep the NACC away from investigating "Other organisations" regardless of how corrupt they are.

One can already see that these scumbag politicians are already feeling the heat that is going to come not only now, but after elections from a fully powered NACC that is separated safely away from the touch of politicians. Give the NACC full power of investigation and recommendation of charges being laid over all suspected corruption in all government sectors including politicians, police, national and provincial government, and including elections and keep them as part of the judiciary, but separate from the courts. That way they can fulfil the role that is needed within the judiciary without politicians and cops getting at them. And keep the Martial Law Act on the statues book with some slight refinements so the Army can step in at any time not to coup the government of the day some time after the whole process is already going t!ts up, but to back and provide lethal power to the NACC right in the early stages of any politicians or cops threatening them.

[Valentine]

The major step should be to charge them & if convicted have them actually stay in jail rather than allowing bail with endless appeals or running away. There is a precedent as a former health minister spent quite a few years in jail on corruption charges but apart from him & high ranking official from Bangkok Bank of Commerce I cannot recall anyone of high rank spending a long time in jail. Speaking of BBC does anyone know what happened with the guy they brought back from Canada. I assume he is out on bail but there was a suggestion he knew too much & could put a lot of other hi so people on the chopping block.

[Caveat Emptor]

Let's not forget the much mentioned belief that Thai officials and lawmakers are wary of introducing strict laws and enforcement of serious penalties out of fear that one day they might apply to them.

[peptidebomber]

Suthep?

[Ulic]

I am not going to hold my breath, but if they did prosecute corrupt politicians I would expect nobody to be in

office longer than one term.

[MaxLee]

While all sides delivered closing statements yesterday, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) reminded the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) that impeaching corrupt politicians was one of the most important steps toward national reform

Do the NACC dare,.... wanna die ????

[Eric Loh]

No problem with agreeing that corrupt politicians should be impeached or jailed BUT please demonstrate that fairly. Begs the question " who's watching the watchdog" especially the current setup.

[Baerboxer]

Suthep?

How about the former DP and Foreign minister, Thaksin's trusted number 1 cousin.

Surely opening his ministry specially to produce a new passport, issued illegally to a convicted criminal fugitive, hand delivering it at taxpayer's expense (who paid for the new passport btw?); and then refusing to answer repeated questions from the Ombudsman on the subject must be grounds for some actions?

Chalerm and Tarit - there time at big spending high living ineffective CAPO must be worth investigating; and maybe Chalerm apparently allowing "men in black" to use his Labor Ministry's rooftop?

I'm sure there is no shortage of candidates - from all sides of the spectrum.

[Baerboxer]

No problem with agreeing that corrupt politicians should be impeached or jailed BUT please demonstrate that fairly. Begs the question " who's watching the watchdog" especially the current setup.

So you agree Eric, that Thaksin should be extradited to serve his jail sentence and face the 15 other more serious outstanding court charges?

[Eric Loh]

No problem with agreeing that corrupt politicians should be impeached or jailed BUT please demonstrate that fairly. Begs the question " who's watching the watchdog" especially the current setup.

So you agree Eric, that Thaksin should be extradited to serve his jail sentence and face the 15 other more serious outstanding court charges?

Ask yourself if there was due process, operate within the law (legality) and fair procedure was provided, then you have my answer. In the context of Thailand, I would also throw in equal dispensation of the law to all.

[smedly]

A Thai impeachment. What a waste of time. Why don't they just charge, indict, and try them? Prosecute them, don't let them off with some Thai mumbo jumbo impeachment.

I actually agree with you - it is a total waste of resource and money

The solution is through the courts and anyone with a criminal conviction or corruption conviction can never stand for local or national election or hold a high ranking Civil service position - effectively banned for life

[slapout]

it takes two to tango as was once noted. the private sector companies/individuals who are party to the corruption of the civil and political parties/politicians must also be slapped down hard, if anything worhwhile is to be accomplished. the ultimate goal must also include the RTP/bib in the process of cleaning out the crooks. if this means a purging of private sector companies from doing any government business, loss of a majority of the RTP and past politicans, so be it.

Thailand cannot afford to continue on her path to self destruction of the past decade or so.

[Cuchulainn]

Impeachment? Haaaa

Jail'em dear boy. Jail 'em.

[IAMHERE]

The power structure is going to change sooner or later. When the current outs are in, wonder if they realize it is now ok to mend all their revenge fences. Tit for Tat, so far it has been fairly civilized, not so much the future I'm afraid.

[halloween]

No problem with agreeing that corrupt politicians should be impeached or jailed BUT please demonstrate that fairly. Begs the question " who's watching the watchdog" especially the current setup.

So you agree Eric, that Thaksin should be extradited to serve his jail sentence and face the 15 other more serious outstanding court charges?

Ask yourself if there was due process, operate within the law (legality) and fair procedure was provided, then you have my answer. In the context of Thailand, I would also throw in equal dispensation of the law to all.

A simple YES would have sufficed.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

The Thais need to learn that there IS accountability for your actions, whoever you are. It is the governments roll to make sure this happens. Start with the politicians and the police and the rest of society will eventually fall in line. It will take at least a generations to change the culture of this country (maybe a few life times), but you have to start or you will never get there.

[brucec64]

The Thais need to learn that there IS accountability for your actions, whoever you are. It is the governments roll to make sure this happens. Start with the politicians and the police and the rest of society will eventually fall in line. It will take at least a generations to change the culture of this country (maybe a few life times), but you have to start or you will never get there.

Include the military on this list and the country will be well on its way.

[cup-O-coffee]

Is this like banning hate speech, because everyone is guilty of it.

Impeaching corrupt politicians means what...(?) ...really really really corrupt politicians, or narrowing it down to really corrupt politicians?

And who will the judges be... (?) not really corrupt judges or really corrupt judges, or... what?

It's like three men in the belly of a dead whale; ...they are arguing about stupid things and the whale is slowly sinking and that is the feeling they should be aware of... but they are not.

For some reason, I am beginning to pick up intuitive and instinctive signs of unrest all over from Thai people in various stations in life. The feeling is not good, and there seems to be a sense of stress, desperation, anxiety, suspicion and greed. This is all leading to the kinds of behaviors that are not good for foreigners, as we seem to be the lowest on the totem pole here.

While I do think there are some good merits to this military government, I moreover think that (figuratively speaking) this government cannot force the natives to give up their ways and force them to wear uncomfortable clothes and force them to attend church. This method and manner of governing will have the Thai people at each other tooth and nail in a very short time, and I do believe that the foreigner will be the first resource to get cannibalized. It's going to tear this country apart, I fear.

I hope I am wrong.

[dukebowling]

The forst step would be to impeach the Constitutional Court, the real root of corruption in Thailand.

[Thai at Heart]

The forst step would be to impeach the Constitutional Court, the real root of corruption in Thailand.

Unfortunately the consitution court would have to sit for 6 months to work out if that was consitutional.