Democrat MP: New Pheu Thai plan aims to scrap independent agencies
Almost 70 per cent of people in Bangkok and its surrounding areas are concerned that the ruling politicians' push to write a new Constitution may lead to renewed chaos in the country, a poll has found.
However, a poll by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University also found that most respondents agreed to charter changes if they benefit the majority.
Of the 1,022 respondents, 69.34 per cent said they believed the amendment push would lead to political chaos due to the simmering and prolonged conflict between the proponents and opponents of charter change.
Another 25 per cent were unsure whether amendment would lead to a bad situation in the country, while 5.66 per cent expected no negative development as they believed the government would be able to handle the situation, according to the results of the poll conducted on December 4-7.
Bangkok witnessed violence in 2009 and 2010, when the red shirts held protests against the Democrat-led government of Abhisit Vejjajiva.
More than 44 per cent said the government should clearly explain why constitutional amendment was needed and it should listen to comments from different groups of people.
When asked how to prevent possible chaos, 30.16 per cent suggested that legislators listen to all sides and find a beneficial solution. Another 28 per cent urged postponement to allow more time to study the law in detail.
About 24 per cent said the government must explain clearly and rationally the need for amendment, while 17.64 per cent suggested the government ensure that all sides accept the amendment by following proper and just steps, without aiming to do this for its own gain.
A Democrat legal expert said yesterday that the ruling party may be seeking to dissolve all independent agencies including the Constitution Court and the Adminis-trative Court by amending the entire charter.
Wirat Kallayasiri, Democrat MP for Songkhla, was responding to reports that the Pheu Thai Party has decided to change its political strategy by submitting to Parliament a new charter draft that would rewrite the Constitution completely.
The ruling party would then seek a public referendum in order to legitimise its charter draft.
"Is it right that Pheu Thai does this in order to scrap Article 309 and dissolve all independent agencies including the Constitution Court and the Administration?'' he asked.
Pheu Thai Party deputy spokesperson Sunisa Lertpakawat said coalition parties had been awaiting a conclusion from a coalition panel about the next move regarding the Constitution amendment, following the charter-change bill's passage in its first and second readings. The committee is expected to come up with the resolution by December 17.
She said she believed it is necessary that the vote on the third reading to amend Article 291 of the Constitution must be held to complete the legislation process. The purpose of amending this article is not to change the charter's content, but to change procedures for amending the charter. She said the public supports the move to have charter writers, including academics, draft a new charter. It is unlikely that charter writers who come from various sectors would write a law just to help one person, as alleged.
The Democrat Party and the Group of 40 Senators have speculated that the move to push for passage of the charter amendment bill in the final reading will cause the government to collapse because the charter draft aims at helping one person.
Sunisa also rejected the Democrats' criticism that the government's move to use Bt168 million in taxpayers' money to organise seminars in 108 different locations across the country is wasteful. The Democrats say the plan is aimed at brainwashing the public into supporting charter amendment.
She said the money would actually bring about national reconciliation. She said the seminar topics were identified by respected educational institutes, which the government cannot dictate to or interfere with.
Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva advised the government against any move related to charter amendment, since the Constitution Court has expressed reservations about the draft being deliberated in Parliament.
He said the party would deploy officials to observe the 108-seminar project to ensure it is done in accordance with the law. The party will also hold a seminar every Saturday about the legislation, explaining that its aim is to whitewash politicians, Abhisit said.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/09/fears-of-violence-over-charter/
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