Thai politics: Mounting problems for drafters amid rife discontent

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BURNING ISSUE
Mounting problems for drafters amid rife discontent
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Reform Council (NRC) has completed its first round of debate on the draft constitution. The debate was rather heated although observers earlier had not expected much of a grilling of the draft by NRC members.

In fact, members of both the NRC and the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) are from the same source, being set up after the coup last May. However, as it turned out, many NRC members seriously criticised the draft constitution and pointed to what they viewed as flaws.

Three of the seven days of debate were spent on the clauses about the new structure of political power. Much of the criticism involved a provision that allows non-MPs to become prime minister and the clauses on a mixed system for election and selection of senators.

Moreover, a new electoral system for MPs is viewed as likely to bring about problems in the future. Future governments may become unstable and there could be increased bargaining among coalition partners.

The drafters seem to have solved the problem of "parliamentary dictatorship" by making it more likely for a multiple-party coalition government.

However, this would bring back the old problem of successive unstable governments that we had before the constitution of 1997.

Also, an electoral system that allows political groups to field electoral candidates is widely viewed as a possible cause for weaker political parties. Critics also questioned the legitimacy of scrutinising organisations to be formed, including a national morality assembly and a people's council, that have wide-ranging powers but are not elected.

The national reform steering council is viewed as an attempt for the junta to "inherit power".

Veteran politician Chai Chidchob, a member of the NRC, warned that the country would "be doomed" if those problematic provisions were not rectified.

Separately, different groups of people took part in a recent debate organised by the Reconciliation Centre for Reform. Representatives from rival political parties, in a rare show of unity, all criticised the draft constitution.

They described it as "undemocratic". Many of the participating politicians clearly said at the meeting that they would be happy if the next general election could be postponed, provided the new constitution is democratic.

However, CDC chairman Borwornsak Uwanno did not give an encouraging response to those concerns.

"Please tell us which sections should be revised and how they should be changed. You should explain clearly, and you should not just make a general remark that the constitution will lead to chaos.

"We are now in the process of drafting. If you do as I say, that is make constructive suggestions, and the CDC will consider it seriously. You should not make a general accusation.

Of the 300 pieces of fruit in a basket, five may be bad. Please tell us how those five fruit pieces will turn all the fruit in the basket bad."

Borwornsak certainly seems to suggest that certain articles should be revised. But he should be aware that those who voice their concerns about the draft constitution are not talking about some bad fruit in the basket. They want to tell the constitution drafters that all the fruit in the basket do not meet their requirements.

The critics intend to say that some principles of the constitution being drafted are not right. However, Borwornsak and his team have announced they would not change the key principles of this draft constitution. And all those principles refer to the three issues that are being questioned.

The constitution drafters will face mounting difficulties, as opposition is growing against those problematic provisions.

These difficulties will worsen until the final vote on the draft constitution.

Members of the CDC will have to seriously rethink this matter. In fact, even the powers-that-be are not entirely happy with the draft charter, and they have not given the green light to the whole draft.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Mounting-problems-for-drafters-amid-rife-disconten-30259065.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-30

[soalbundy]

Lots of little piggy's wondering how they are going to find the trough again.