'No excuse' for NRC to outstay one year

'No excuse' for NRC to outstay one year

The National Reform Council (NRC) should not be given more than one year to complete its work, according to legal expert and council member Borwornsak Uwanno.  

Mr Borwornsak yesterday reported to parliament to register his membership of the NRC.

He said the council should not be given an extension on its tenure, even if it fails to complete national reforms in one year, stressing that it must stick to the time frame stipulated by the provisional charter.

Mr Borwornsak said it is too early to discuss whether there should be a public referendum on the new constitution, since it has yet to be drawn up.

The interim charter does not call for a referendum to be held on the new constitution, he added.

If a referendum is held, the interim charter would have to be amended to permit such a vote, Mr Borwornsak said.

He said the public expects the reform council to work on changing the country for the better over the next 12 months, so members must strive to achieve results within that period.

He added that the council's top priority will be to improve the justice system to ensure people receive fair treatment, adding that the civil service and political system must also be revamped. 

Mr Borwornsak, who is also secretary-general of the King Prajadhipok's Institute, said the NRC will consider the institute's proposals for national change as part of its reform blueprint.

He is widely seen as a potential candidate for NRC chairman.

He is also tipped to be chosen as a member of the committee tasked with drawing up the new charter, given his legal expertise.

Alongkorn Ponlaboot, NRC member and former Democrat MP, said the two deputy NRC chairs should have complementary skills.

Mr Alongkorn said one must be well versed in legal knowledge, particularly in public law, to help the chairman with the NRC's legal tasks.

The other must have a well-rounded background with strong managerial skills to share out tasks for designing the reform blueprint, he said.

Mr Alongkorn added that the competition for the post of NRC chairman should not be limited to a small group of candidates. The NRC has 250 members, many of whom are qualified for the job, he said.

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