Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra insists she is not heavy-hearted about being impeached over her role in the corruption-plagued rice-pledging scheme, saying she is ready to defend all the charges against her.
Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets her supporter who hands her roses as she arrives at parliament to defend herself before the National Legislative Assembly against her impeachment motion over her role in the rice-pledging scheme. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Ms Yingluck made her remarks as she showed up at parliament at 9am on Friday amidst tight police security. Carrying 30 documents containing 139 pages to clarify her position in the impeachment case, a smiling Ms Yigluck was greeted by some supporters who arrived to give her flowers to show their morale support. No huge crowd of supporters arrived as some anticipated.
The National Legislation Assembly kicked off the impeachment hearing today, prosecuting a motion filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Ms Yingluck for alleged dereliction of duty in supervising the rice-pledging programme, which ended amid charges of corruption and waste that cost the state hundreds of billions of baht.
Before defending herself before the NLA, Ms Yingluck briefly said she was ready to clarify her role in charges brought against her by the anti-graft agency. She asked the media and the public to follow the case.
The impeachment hearing starts with the NACC delivering its opening statement. Ms Yingluck later will be allowed to defend herself against the charges.
After the hearing, the NLA will set up a nine-member panel to ask Ms Yingluck questions raised by NLA members. A date will be set next week or Jan 15 for the NLA to ask the two sides. Closing statements will be made Jan 21 and the NLA will hold a meeting to vote the next three days afterward.