Wissanu defends crisis panel as ‘temporary’
Poll shows 64% support committee
The so-called crisis panel for solving national problems may not be in line with democratic principles but is intended to be a temporary measure, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) proposed a clause in the provisional chapter that will create a committee on reform and reconciliation strategy, also known as a crisis panel, to remain in place for five years after the charter is promulgated.
The panel will be able to intervene in a political crisis before it leads to violence, and can take over both executive and legislative powers from the government and parliament. This has led to criticism that the military junta is attempting to hold on to power.
Mr Wissanu said the panel would be a temporary measure during the transition to elections. “It is incorporated in the provisional chapter, so it is temporary and would be needed during the transition,” he said. “If that is the case, [that means] there is a pressing need for us to step away from the principles of democracy. But it won’t be a permanent measure.”
Under the CDC’s proposal, the crisis panel will only be able to exercise such power when the government and existing laws fail to solve a situation, such as the events leading to the May 22 coup. At times of peace it aims to guide the country towards reform and reconciliation, and away from any conflict, the proposal said.
Mr Wissanu said the provisional chapter may contain other extraordinary measures to deal with special circumstances during the transitional period.
“For example, the National Legislative Assembly may have to continue functioning until there is a new parliament. If we focus on the democratic side, it isn’t right. But the provisional clause will have to set limits on how long it applies,” he said.
Pheu Thai Party acting secretarygeneral Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday slammed CDC chairman Borwornsak Uwanno for his “unusual proposals” in the draft charter — including the crisis panel and a proposed referendum question asking Thais if they want a government of national reconciliation to take office.
He said the controversial proposals, which are seen by some as a means to keep the military junta in power, were also causing public confusion.
Democrat member Wirat Kanlayasiri lambasted the CDC for proposing the government of national reconciliation, saying it was not a solution to political conflict.
“What’s wrong with the system where the government and the opposition do their jobs with transparency?” he asked. “The essence of a national government is a collusion of [political] powers.”
However, most people agree with the crisis panel and a national government for reconciliation proposals, according to an opinion poll conducted by the National Institute for Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
Of 1,256 people surveyed by Nida throughout t he country last week, about 63.93% agreed with the crisis panel, saying that they wanted to see reconciliation, and that an independent organisation with more decisive power than the government was needed. The 25% who disagreed said it would duplicate the government’s work, while the remaining 11% had no comment.
On the proposed referendum question for a government of national conciliation to take office for four years after the new charter is promulgated, 75.8% were in favour, saying the matter should be decided by the people. The 19% who disagreed said the issue was still unclear and the referendum could be used only to legitimise the perpetuation of power, while the remaining 5.17% had no comment.