Workload shifts to new reform committees

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EDITORIAL

Workload shifts to new reform committees

By The Nation

 

Controversy lingers as the National Reform Steering Committee hands over the reins 

The Prayut government’s latest bid to initiate systemic change – by appointing 165 knowledgeable citizens to 11 national-reform sub-committees, each with its own designated agenda – is noteworthy. This follows the National Reform Steering Committee closing its books with a final meeting in late July. Over the past two years, the 200-member committee came up with many proposals to guide the country’s future.

 

The major NRSC efforts mainly addressed issues in the legal and political fields. It played a leading role, for example, in enacting nearly 200 pieces of legislation to drive reform agendas, including new mechanisms to tackle corruption, social injustice and income inequality. A new division of the Criminal Court was also set up to specifically handle corruption, abuse-of-power and related cases.

 

On the political front, NRSC proposals chiefly aimed at drawing better-quality candidates into the electoral process, ensuring free and fair elections, improving political parties, creating effective check-and-balance mechanisms, nurturing a more resilient political culture, and developing better methods for resolving conflicts.

 

However, the more controversial items are those related to the news media, cybersecurity and the social networks. For example, a new law will impose more controls on established and new media platforms. Outlets online will be required to register for licences issued by professional bodies.

 

In this regard, the reform appears to be taking Thailand backwards. In bygone days, state control and censorship of media content were not unusual, but Thailand is now entering the digital era, so the direction is completely wrong.

 

As for the proposed cybersecurity legislation, it should be noted that there is a thin line between national security and people’s freedom to express themselves online. Any broad definition of the term “national security” will open up opportunities for the state to abuse that right. As a result, the judiciary needs to provide the checks and balance on the cybersecurity issue to safeguard the people’s right. If officials seek access to an individual’s personal correspondence, for instance, they should need to obtain court approval, and on a case-by-case basis.

 

Regarding the social media, the NRSC had earlier proposed that all users be required to provide biometric data so they could be registered with the government. Facial and fingerprint scanning are among the new tech tools touted to regulate the use of social networks.

 

On this crucial issue, one of the 11 sub-committees just appointed by the government to take charge of media and information technology matters will have to strike a new balance to ensure that the country is not hindered by ultra-conservative ideas.

 

Jirachai Moonthong-roi, permanent secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, was named its chairman, while members include veteran media figures, academics and legal and political experts.

 

The Jirachai sub-committee and 10 others have a five-year mandate to do their work. The Cabinet already approved the appointment of 120 members, leaving another 45 slots still open. These new panels will address areas of concern involving political, administrative, legal, judicial, economic, public health and energy matters, as well as corruption and the protection of natural resources and the environment.

 

They all need to prove their worthiness and deliver results that will position the country as an open and free society with a better future.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30324154

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-18

[zzaa09]

Reform.

 

[JAG]

I do hope that all efforts to reduce the inevitable administrative costs associated with these committees are being made.

For example travel expenses will be dramatically reduced if members are only recruited from suitably qualified and experienced people who live in Bangkok.

 

 

[trainman34014]

Lunchload moved over to accommodate more people around the table on expenses more like !

[Srikcir]

As a saying might go, it takes a village to subjugate a nation.

Congrats to the Prayut village.