National security budget hike gets flak

National security budget hike gets flak

Total spending of 3 trillion baht passes NLA first hurdle

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon at his side, asked the National Legislative Assembly to pass a record budget of 3 trillion baht, with a massive increase in national security spending. (Photos by Chanat Katanyu)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon at his side, asked the National Legislative Assembly to pass a record budget of 3 trillion baht, with a massive increase in national security spending. (Photos by Chanat Katanyu)

Critics have taken aim at the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for giving the green light to a 20% increase in the national security budget for the 2019 fiscal year.

Some 274 billion baht was spent on national security last year, and this would rise to 329.1 billion baht if the Budget Bill is passed into law.

The total budget approved in the first reading by the NLA Thursday for the 2019 fiscal year comes to 3 trillion baht.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday said the budget matched the needs of the country and it is an investment for the future.

Under the deficit budget, revenue is projected at 2.55 trillion baht with the deficit of 450 billion baht funded by loans.

The 3 trillion baht accounts for 17.1% of GDP.

The deficit budget bill can be divided into six strategic areas: national security (329.1 billion baht); competitiveness (406.4 billion baht); human development (560.8 billion baht); stamping out poverty and inequity (397.5 billion baht); water management and sustainable development (117.2 billion baht); and realigning to balance and improve the administrative system (838.4 billion baht).

It encompasses the promotion of the main institutions of the country, encouraging reconciliation, ending the violence in the restive South, tackling the problems of human trafficking, and dealing with migrant workers.

It is also designed to tackle drug problems, and creating domestic security as well as building up national defence capabilities.

The budget for battling poverty and disparity also increased by 19% from 332.6 billion baht last year.

The NLA spent eight hours debating the expenditure bill before voting in favour with 197 votes of support. Three members abstained.

Gen Prayut thanked the lawmakers for supporting the budget bill and agreed to consider their suggestions raised during the debate.

"I wanted to grant all of the budget requests, 8 trillion baht or 10 trillion baht. But the question is whether we can pay off the debts. If anyone can solve these problems, let me know and they will have my vote," the prime minister said.

Earlier, Gen Prayut spent two hours countering possible criticism that the high expenditure totalling 3 trillion baht would lead to corruption, pointing out that fears about corruption should not deter public spending.

Members of the NLA rest their eyes during the prime minister's speech.

"Nothing can be done if we think that way. We should see if the budget planning is inclusive and appropriate. Corruption must be dealt with using scrutiny mechanisms and laws," he said.

Gen Prayut stressed the importance of allocating the budget by regions because each had a different potential and the government would have to link them with various infrastructure projects.

He insisted every project has been scrutinised and designed to respond to the country's demands, adding that comparable funds were distributed and every region got its fair share.

"It is for solving the problems of the past and in the present. And it is an investment for the future. It will not come to fruition today, but let me ask you if we have ever invested for the future," he told the lawmakers.

"We're the government of all the people. I hope the next government will do the same so all people benefit, not just some groups," he said.

The Pheu Thai Party, however, raised questions Thursday about the 20% increase in funding for national security.

Jirayu Huangsap, acting deputy spokesman, said the increment in the national security budget for the next fiscal year cast doubts over the efficiency of the regime's security efforts.

According to the Pheu Thai member, if the regime had done its job properly over the past four years, it should not have needed to make the request for funds for national security.

He also argued the national security budget should even be reduced, especially as the country is heading toward a general election next year.

However, he said he had not seen the budget details and was unsure if the proposed increase was for arms procurement. According to Mr Jirayu, the country does not face any threats.

"The regime should ask itself what national security is and tell the public what it is. It is spending the taxpayers' money. But the people would say national 'insecurity' is when there is no election," he said.

Most of the NLA members were in favour of the spending plan, but NLA member Witthaya Chaisuwan called on the government to do better to speed up disbursement for the current fiscal year, saying 35 agencies were lagging behind.

He said the spending plan was larger than in fiscal year 2018 and mechanisms should be introduced to encourage state agencies to spend as planned.

NLA member Worapol Sokhatiyanurak suggested that the government should tackle household debts and come up with measures to boost people's incomes.

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