Bangkok: Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party, has called for an update from Sophon Saram, Speaker of the House of Representatives, regarding the referral to the Supreme Court for the establishment of a committee to investigate the National Anti-Corruption Commission's (NACC) dismissal of a complaint against former Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. This inquiry demands transparency regarding the selection of the committee members as well as a timeline for the investigation's progression.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Abhisit expressed his concerns over the lack of transparency and progress in the establishment of the committee to scrutinize the NACC's decision to dismiss the complaint, which accused Mr. Saksayam of false asset declarations. He urged Mr. Sophon to reveal the names of the committee members and provide a general timeline for the decision-making process. This disclosure is essential to assure all parties of the committee's integrity and to dispel any notions of bias or protectionism. Furthermore, Mr. Abhisit emphasized the importance of allowing the committee to communicate their findings in writing or to address any questions posed by the opposition.
Parit Wacharasindhu, a list MP from the People's Party and chairman of the opposition whip, highlighted the urgency of the matter by noting that it has been 82 days since the complaint was dismissed without any visible progress. He pointed out that in similar past cases, the process took about 41 days from the petition to the appointment of an investigative committee by the Supreme Court. Mr. Parit urged for a clear or estimated timeframe and suggested involving representatives from the opposition who signed the petition to explain their reasons to the adjudication committee.
In response, Mr. Sophon explained that the process of nominating a candidate for the Speaker of Parliament involves significant discretion as per the Constitution, warranting careful consideration. He assured that the appointed committee comprises external experts with credibility and public trust, though their names are currently withheld to avoid media scrutiny. Mr. Sophon assured that the final decision and the identities of the committee members would eventually be made public, respecting the committee's independence and initial confidentiality.
Regarding the timeline, Mr. Sophon stated that the committee could expedite the process at their discretion and promised to release the records of the meetings and their conclusions to the public. He emphasized that after establishing the committee, his role would be limited, but he would ensure that the findings are disclosed adequately.
Mr. Sophon also addressed the opposition's request to communicate through written documents, suggesting that Mr. Abhisit's concerns would likely reach the committee members through media coverage. He emphasized the importance of waiting for the committee's results to ensure a thorough and complete investigation.