Bangkok: Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, has called upon Speaker of the House, Sophon Saram, to expedite the referral of a case to the Supreme Court for the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the National Anti-Corruption Commission's (NACC) dismissal of a complaint against former Transport Minister, Saksayam Chidchob. Abhisit emphasized the need for transparency by urging Sophon to disclose the names of the committee members and provide a timeline for the investigation's progress.
According to Thai News Agency, the demand stems from Mr. Sophon's previous assurance that a screening committee had been established to offer opinions on the matter. Abhisit highlighted the importance of revealing committee members to establish trust and dispel concerns of bias. He also requested a preliminary timeframe for the decision-making process and advocated for the committee's findings to be communicated in writing, allowing for questions from the opposition to be addressed.
Parit Wacharasindhu, chairman of the opposition whip, also voiced concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the committee's formation. He noted that past cases with a similar nature took significantly less time, approximately 41 days, for the Supreme Court to appoint an investigative committee, whereas this case remains unresolved after 82 days. Parit emphasized the need for a clear or estimated timeframe and suggested that opposition representatives be allowed to present their case to the adjudication committee.
In response, Mr. Sophon explained the complexities involved in nominating candidates for such committees, citing constitutional provisions that require careful consideration. He assured that the committee comprises external experts with integrity and public trust. Mr. Sophon defended the initial secrecy surrounding the committee's composition, stating that it aims to prevent undue media pressure on its members. He reiterated that the final decision, along with the committee members' identities, would eventually be disclosed.
Mr. Sophon further mentioned that the committee has the liberty to expedite the process as deemed appropriate. He committed to making the committee's meeting records public and assured that he would disclose the findings once available. Regarding the opposition's request for written communication, Mr. Sophon indicated that media reports would likely inform the committee's deliberations, ensuring comprehensive information is considered before reaching a conclusion.