MPs receive oath inquisition all clear

A parliamentary debate on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s incomplete oath-taking and government policy statement will likely take place this month, says House Speaker Chuan Leekpai.

“The general debate will be listed as an urgent issue and the opposition and the cabinet will be notified,” Mr Chuan told media yesterday after accepting a motion for the debate filed by the seven-party opposition.

The motion was signed by 214 opposition MPs and lodged under Section 152 of the constitution.

Gen Prayut is accused of failing to recite the final sentence of Section 161 of the charter, which requires the oath-taker to uphold and abide by the constitution. He has so far twice failed to answer opposition questions on the issue in the House.

Responding to the opposition’s move, the prime minister yesterday insisted the oath-taking was conducted properly and called on the public not to worry about the issue.

He expressed concern that illwill towards the government would undermine confidence.

Critics are concerned that the incomplete oath may violate the constitution and jeopardise the legitimacy of the government, which delivered its policy statement to parliament on July 25-26.

The parliamentary grilling will also cover Gen Prayut’s failure to announce in the policy statement financial sources for policy implementation, as required by Section 162 of the charter.

Mr Chuan said he will ask the secretariat of the House to inform the prime minister of the motion, adding Gen Prayut should clarify the reasons if he is unable attend the debate.

“I think the prime minister should show up to answer questions in the House. If he can’t, he is supposed to explain the reason why. For example, if the cabinet thinks the issue is sensitive, it should tell the House,” he said.

Mr Chuan said rules had not been set for a general debate under Section 152, which is unprecedented. However, he said that after receiving support from at least one-tenth of the House, or 50 MPs, the debate will proceed under general House meeting rules.

Section 152 allows the House to question and make proposals to cabinet ministers, without taking a vote.

Pheu Thai MP Suthin Khlangsaeng said yesterday the opposition is ready to withdraw the motion if the prime minister corrects his mistake.