NRC panel seeks clause to extend regime tenure
Plan would give govt 2 more years in power
The National Reform Council’s (NRC) political reform panel has proposed adding a provisional clause in the draft charter to extend the interim government’s power for another two years to allow national reforms to be implemented.
This would be instead of asking the public via a referendum, said panel chairman Sombat Thamrongthanyawong.
The proposal is part of the panel’s charter recommendations forwarded to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC).
Mr Sombat was addressing the issue after he yesterday led a group of NRC members to clarify their proposed changes to the draft constitution before the CDC.
Under Mr Sombat’s proposal, the CDC should add a provisional clause to the charter requiring the issuance of organic laws and any other necessary laws that need to be introduced to facilitate reforms in various areas.
The draft laws, prepared by the NRC, will be forwarded to the cabinet, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for consideration and approval.
Under the current draft charter, Section 307 requires the NLA to consider draft organic laws as organic laws, which now has about 26 bills proposed by the CDC, within 60-120 days from receiving the draft bill.
Mr Sombat said his group has suggested extending the deadline for the rewriting of the draft as there will be an additional 30-40 reform-related organic bills to be enacted before elections should pro-ceed under the group’s proposal.
“The [reformsrelated] laws can be used as an indicator to see if the reforms will be implemented. Time will tell if reforms can be achieved — after all the necessary laws are already in place,” he said.
Mr Sombat insisted the proposal does not seek a referendum on whether reforms should proceed before an election. Reforms must be guaranteed by the constitution but it all depends on the CDC if it agrees to the committee’s idea.
“We understand people want to see elections. So the law-making process shouldn’t take more than two years,” he said.
According to Mr Sombat, the NRC is required by the current interim charter to work with the CDC in preparing reformsrelated laws and a proposed referendum on “reforms before election”, suggested by NRC member Paiboon Nititawan, is nothing new because it is required by the interim charter.
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha yesterday declined to comment on the proposed referendum to allow the government to stay on to carry out reforms. He said the NCPO’s roadmap remains intact and the question should be dropped.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam said yesterday the amendment draft of the 2014 interim charter is nearly finished. He said the government will not look to hold a referendum and it is considering who should.
According to the deputy prime minister, more than one question will be allowed with the main question being if voters accept or reject the constitution. The extra questions, if any, will cover other topics.
Army commander Udomdej Sitabutr said yesterday a call for the government to remain in power to see through reforms indicates that the public appreciates the government’s efforts in solving the country’s many problems.
However, he said the government has the interim charter and the roadmap to adhere to and Gen Prayut is committed to following them unless there are conditions or situations that arise which might require some adjustments.
“We have no intention to prolong our stay in power as some people might fear. We are careful and thorough with our jobs,” he said.
Mr Paiboon, meanwhile, defended his proposed referendum on reforms before election, saying it is not about individuals, but national administration.
He was responding to criticism that while a referendum should be organised on public policy his proposal seeks to extend the tenure of the interim government and the prime minister.
“It isn’t proper for the government to extend its term [to carry out reforms]. But if the people vote to have reforms before elections, it is public participation in national administration and in truly setting the country’s agenda,” he said.
Speaking about other charter proposals, Mr Sombat said his group wants the constitution to enable a strong and stable government to carry out national development and put in place an effective system of checks and balances.