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CDC accused of scepticism
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

Politicians voice concern over drafters' '13 principles' in forum on politics

BANGKOK: -- MAIN POLITICAL parties have voiced concerns about charter drafters' proposals on "the political system, politicians and political parties", saying the drafters' scepticism in relation to political parties and the voting system could do more harm than good.

Yesterday's seminar on those three topics was organised by the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) and the National Reform Council's panel on public participation.

The forum's objective was to gather opinions and viewpoints from participants, and later deliberate these ideas during the charter-drafting process.

Samart Kaewmeechai, a former Pheu Thai Party MP, warned CDC members not to write rules based on "prejudice or paranoia".

"I am worried that such proposals will lead to more problems," he said, citing the proposal to create a committee that regulates each MP candidate's assets.

"If these committees are politically biased, they could keep out good candidates from rival parties. This will only create problems in the long term."

He also cited the proposal to set up "people's assemblies" at the district and tambon levels, saying that though these bodies were meant to ensure transparency, they would only create problems if they became politicised.

Samart also voiced concern over the provision allowing parliamentary candidates to run without having to be under the banner of a political party, and the provision that allows party MPs to retain their parliamentary seats even after they are dismissed or quit their party.

The Pheu Thai representative said that not only did this not support strong political parties, it would also "destroy political parties".

Nikorn Jamnong, Chart Thai Pattana chief adviser and representative, said that though the CDC's proposals aimed to solve ongoing problems, he was worried that they might make these problems "more severe".

"You do not trust in the voting system: This is worrying," he said, adding that the aim should be to create a strong system of checks and balances.

He said the proposal to have an all-appointed Senate would make the balance of power in Parliament uneven.

He also said the proposed mixed-member proportional representation (MMP) system would only produce multi-party coalitions and allow MPs to be independent, adding that this might solve problems in the short term but could create more obstacles in the future.

Jurin Laksanavisit, who was present as a Democrat Party representative, said the question was how to create a system that had good checks and balances, as well as to create strong political parties so they can bring together people with similar principles to drive the country forward.

"Yet some proposals are weakening political parties," he said.

'Imbalance of power'

Jurin also voiced concerns that the proposal to have both the House of Representatives and the Senate vote for impeachment might provide too much protection to government figures, as they almost always have support from the lower house anyway.

He added that getting the lower house involved in the impeachment process would not only protect the politicians in question from impeachment, but would also make members of the opposition open to impeachment moves by ruling-coalition parties.

Wannarat Channukul, Chart Pattana Party representative, said he also disagreed with the proposal to have ministries' permanent secretaries assume the role of minister during elections. He said this was inappropriate as it would affect the country's credibility should they have to deal with foreign governments.

He also disagreed with the proposal that MPs need not run under the banner of political parties, saying this would only weaken parties because these MPs would not have to respect a party consensus.

The seminar kicked off early yesterday with CDC chief Borwornsak Uwanno delivering opening remarks.

CDC spokesman General Lertrat Ratanavanich then listed the committee's "13 underlying principles" for Thailand's political system, politicians and political party.

These principles included some controversial proposals that had drawn criticism from political parties recently.

They include the introduction of the MMP system, having ministries' permanent secretaries assume ministerial roles during elections, |having an all-appointed Senate |and allowing MP candidates to run without being under a party's banner.

Present at the seminar were charter drafters, members of the National Reform Council along with those who are part of the NRC panel on public participation, representatives from King Prajadhiphok's Institute, and members of the Democrat, Pheu Thai, Bhum Jai Thai, Chart Pattana and Chart Thai Pattana parties.

The charter drafters have recently had rows with members of the NRC, especially those from the committee on political reform led by Sombat Thamrongthanyawon, as their ideas are in clear contradiction.

Alongkorn Ponlaboot, a member of the NRC political reform panel, last month called on the CDC to listen to his panel's suggestions in order to prevent the new constitution from being "shot down".

"I believe there is a greater likelihood of the charter being rejected by the NRC if the CDC does not amend the draft in accordance with the political-reform suggestions," he said.

Some of CDC's proposals on political reform had met some criticisms from leading figures of Thailand's two biggest political parties including Pheu Thai’s Udomdetch Ratanasatien and the Democrats’ Nipit Intrasombat.

Electoral reform proposals

Examples of electoral reform proposals from small political parties:

Udon's Power: Electoral fraud is key problem, so there should be a rise in public awareness in regards to what corruption leads to.

New Democracy: The regional division should be 12 instead of six, as the move could benefit smaller parties with less money; the proposed region is too big; MPs should have to be members of political parties.

Maha Prachachon: Having every senator appointed is not a good idea, because ordinary people will not have the chance to participate in the selection of the Senate; the PM must be directly elected like the Bangkok mayor.

Pheu Fah Din: A strong citizen sector needs to be created to instil society with dignity, integrity and morals (this could be done through the promotion of Buddhism).

Mung Thai Kong Rao: Constituency MPs should be allowed a maximum of Bt100,000 for their election campaigns to even the playing field.

Palangthai Ruk Chart: Dissolve the provincial administrations because they have become political tools and source of money for politicians and have similar responsibilities as district and tambon administrations.

Chart Samakee: All parties should be allowed to appear on television the day before an election, not just the big four.

Sangkom Prachatiphatai Thai: The Election Commission should monitor each party to ensure they have equal opportunity monetarily during an election campaign.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/CDC-accused-of-scepticism-30254243.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-17