Call for share probe is a 'desperate' tactic
MANOP THIP-OSOD
Claims by the People Power party (PPP) that opposition MPs could be impeached for holding shares in media firms was a desperate bid to survive, Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.
On Monday, the PPP asked the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the shareholding of 28 Democrat MPs and 33 senators in media firms and state concessionaires that might be unconstitutional.
Mr Abhisit said the PPP was simply hoping the tactic would make its rivals face the same fate it was facing.
The companies and concessionaires in which those accused MPs and senators hold stock include MCOT Plc, True Corp Plc, PTT Exploration and Production Plc, and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc.
Facing possible disbanding after an executive was found guilty of electoral fraud, the PPP was searching for any irregularities in constituencies where Democrat executives had run, Mr Abhisit said.
The Democrats had anticipated the tactic, he said, and would let the independent organisation investigate the cases in line with the law.
He admitted the PPP move might be aimed at pushing the Democrats to join its bid to rewrite the constitution.
But if the investigation and cases are handled straightforwardly, there would be no reason to amend the charter so the party could manage to survive, Mr Abhisit said.
Winning an election does not mean a party can do anything it wants, he said, adding every party must be subject to examination.
He warned it was dangerous to exploit the constitution to serve the interests of a particular group.
Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said he was among Democrats who held shares, but the shareholding was not substantial and it should not be illegal.
The government was trying to convince the public of a fantasy that the present constitution was unsuitable for day-to-day administration and needed to be amended, he said.
Parinya Thewanaruemitkul, a law lecturer at Thammasat University, confirmed yesterday that the PPP was pushing the Democrats to join its efforts to amend the charter.
It was trying to prove the constitution posed problems not only for the PPP but the Democrats, as well, he said.
He also said the PPP move was a political game that was constitutional.
Former charter drafter Seri Suwannaphanont agreed with the legality of the PPP's move and said the party could bring its case to either the EC or the House speaker.
Those authorities would then consider the complaint and forward it to the Constitution Court which would reach a final decision, he said, adding if the MPs were found guilty they would simply lose their House seats.
Appointed senator Somchai Sawaengkarn, who is among the 33 senators probed, said yesterday he found 42 MPs, including two ministers, in the ruling coalition who held shares in listed companies, as well as construction companies and mills that were contractors of state projects.
Appointed senator Ruangkrai Leekitwatana said he would ask the EC to investigate their shareholding as well.
EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiygarn said the EC had already formed subcommittees to investigate the shareholding of MPs and senators and that House Speaker Chai Chidchob was among those whose shares were to be investigated.
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