Bar on charter drafters only

[Lite Beer]

CONSTITUTION WATCH
Bar on charter drafters only
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Jade proposal shot down; CDC majority says that members of other agencies should not be barred from politics like them

THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee (CDC) agreed yesterday to open the door for members of junta-appointed bodies - except the charter drafters - to participate further in politics.

Earlier, CDC member Jade Donavanik, on a sub-panel drafting provisional articles for the new charter, proposed that members of the five main agencies - the so-called "five rivers" installed by the junta - be barred from politics for two years after their terms end.

The CDC move is in line with the stance of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who voiced opposition to the plan this week.

CDC spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said after a meeting yesterday that a majority agreed that the clause should only be enforced for CDC members, as stipulated in the current provisional charter. "The CDC realised since the beginning that they will be barred [from politics for two years] but other agencies such as National Reform Council (NRC) and National Legislative Assembly (NLA) members were not informed [about this] before taking their posts. Also, previous charters never stated such a provision," he said.

Jade told The Nation he did not feel disappointed that his proposal was not included in the new charter.

He believed it would be fair to every side if the "five rivers" take a break for two years. He said the CDC also still needs to find out how the public would feel in the near future if members from these agencies take part in politics.

Asked if any members agreed with his proposal, he said only a few drafters backed his proposal or supported him, but the proposal did not have to resolved with a vote due to majority opposition.

His proposal was rejected yesterday after most charter drafters voiced concern that they were already banned from being involved further in politics, while prohibiting other agency members was not seen as the right thing to do.

Key leaders of the junta, including the PM also insisted that they do not want to maintain their hold on power after the new charter comes into effect.

Jade reasoned earlier that a break from politics should be mandatory for members of agencies appointed by the junta, because they were directly related to the new constitution. That would also stop the public from believing the bodies drafted the charter for their own benefit, he said.

The five bodies established by the junta are the NLA, the NRC, the Cabinet, the CDC, and the National Council for Peace and Order.

The CDC's resolution yesterday means its 36 members will be excluded from politics for two years. The current provisional constitution stipulates that CDC members must not be a member of a political party in the preceding three years and cannot participate in politics for two years after their term ends.

The drafters yesterday discussed provisional items for a second day, in a closed-door meeting that did not allow any media observers. The CDC spokesman explained that the closed-door meeting aimed to allow drafters to air their thoughts freely.

Two new bodies announced

In drafts on provisional matters, the CDC also resolved to insert a clause to set up two new bodies, explaining that they would be the main agencies to push further reform frameworks and plans.

They will be a National Reform Mobilisation Assembly and a strategic committee for national reform.

The National Reform Mobilisation Assembly will be made up of 120 members, half selected from the NRC, 30 from the NLA and 30 from national reform experts. Meanwhile, the strategic committee for national reform would consist of 50 reform experts.

The two bodies were stipulated in Article 279 of the new Constitution to propose national reform policies to the Parliament, Cabinet or government related agencies - in order to reduce inequality and promote better justice.

So, if the Cabinet after the election scrutinises the proposal and decides not to pursue these bodies and policies, they will have to openly explain reasons to the public for that.

The two bodies will have the authority to inform the public about national reforms, and help people to become better civilians.

Hence under the same article, the charter outlines administration of the strategic committee as well, to manage the agency's budget and other measures independently.

Article 280 says the two new entities are authorised to propose necessary bills to the Senate, and if passed they would then be put to the Lower House.

Apart from the above matters, the CDC scrutinised and resolved other pending topics, such as education reform and public health reform.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Bar-on-charter-drafters-only-30255510.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-07

[Mango Bob]

Seems like there was a little arm twisting and re-education needed for Jade yesterday.

[oneday]

So he can quickly speak up about making sure his buddies get to run for election next year, but I haven't seen one word in the media (YET) about the nepotism being practiced in the NLA. It's clear to see what the priorities are for this government.

[Tatsujin]

I'm perhaps mistaken, but I thought one of the "promises" made when the coup first happened was that everyone involved would be barred from Politics for 2 years. But I guess it's just the Charter writers now.