Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will this week file a petition asking the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat for malfeasance in connection with the Defence Ministry's order to dismiss him retroactively from military service and strip him of his rank, Democrat Party spokesman Chavanont Intarakomalyasut said on Monday.
Mr Chavanont was speaking after a meeting of Democrat MPs. He said the MPs expressed concern for Mr Abhisit over the issue.
Mr Abhisit explained to the meeting he had not used falsified documents to apply for a teaching job at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, as alleged.
The spokesman said Mr Abhisit would this week petition the NACC against ACM Sukumpol for alleged abuse of power under Article 157 of the Criminal Code.
If the NACC finds grounds for the petition, a complaint would later be submitted to the Defence Ministry, requesting it to strip ACM Sukumpol of his military rank.
At the same time, Democrat MPs would gather up to 125 names to submit a petition to the Senate speaker to remove ACM Sukumpol from his position under Section 271 of the constitution, Mr Chavanont said.