MANOP THIP-OSOD
Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul takes the government to task over its fuel policy during the Senate general debate. |
Senator for Bangkok Rosana Tositrakul yesterday suggested the government hold a referendum on the privatisation of PTT Plc, rather than on amendments to the constitution.
''Why doesn't the government organise a referendum and ask the public if they want PTT back as a state enterprise?'' she asked.
Ms Rosana, a former campaigner against the privatisation of state enterprises, also warned the government about appointing state officials, especially those from the Energy Ministry, to serve on the PTT board.
She said PTT offered these officials financial incentives much larger than the government can offer and asked if they could protect the country's interests.
Ms Rosana also called on the government to tackle soaring retail petrol pump prices and accused PTT-affiliated refiners of making huge profits from fuel prices at their consumers' expense.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej responded that it was impossible to buy back the shares of PTT Plc as requested by the senator. He said the PTT's fund from the 30% share floated privatisation was used by the company to build its business strength, particularly in energy resource exploration and production overseas for the country's energy security.
''We have different views,'' he said.
He said the PTT has now subsidised diesel prices by three baht a litre for selected sectors, particularly transport and fisheries, for six months. Mr Samak said he is also negotiating with one country to import diesel at cheaper than normal prices to support local needs.
Ms Rosana also urged the Finance Ministry to speed up the transfer of public assets held by PTT Plc back to the state.
While the court allowed PTT to remain a listed company in its ruling on Dec 7, 2007, it ordered the firm to return to the state assets worth about 15 billion baht considered to be in the public domain prior to its privatisation in October, 2001.
Ms Rosana said one of the key items PTT should hand over was the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline scheme, which she pointed out was a joint venture between the Thai and Malaysian governments.
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