Dispute over election decree 'just a rumour'
Borwornsak Uwanno, the outgoing Cabinet secretary-general, yesterday dismissed as groundless speculation that he decided to resign after being pressured by the government to issue a royal decree calling a new election.
"I performed my duties without pressure from anyone," Borwornsak said. He also denied his decision to leave was caused by his dissatisfaction with caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. "I did tell the prime minister the things I disagreed with. Most of the time he heeded my advice but there were times when he made a different decision. That's his duty and his responsibility," he said. "I had no problems performing my duty. When I asked for the prime minister's permission [on Tuesday] to leave, he kindly wished me all the best." Borwornsak rejected as "simply a rumour" reports that his decision came after he was pressured to submit a draft of the decree for royal endorsement to call a general election. The Cabinet secretary said the draft was submitted to the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary last week. But he dismissed a rumour it had already been rejected. The government said earlier that it would seek to issue the decree in August, in time for a general election, tentatively scheduled for October 15. Likhit Dhiravegin, formerly a party-list MP of the Thai Rak Thai Party, yesterday said he believed Borwornsak was pressured to submit the draft decree as early as possible in the hope of providing legal protection to the election commissioners. "Borwornsak must be very frustrated [about this]. It's an improper thing to do," said Likhit, who has applied to set up a new political party called Palang Phaendin Thai, which he will lead. The Constitution's Section 148 states that when a royal decree calling a general election takes effect, the Election Commissioners enjoy legal immunity against arrest, detention, or summons by a warrant for inquiry. In a related development, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krua-ngam yesterday said there was no urgent need to find a replacement for Borwornsak as the deputy Cabinet secretary-general, Surachai Phuprasert, had taken over his responsibilities. A Government House source said yesterday it was likely a new Cabinet secretary-general would be appointed once a new government assumes power.
Piyanart Srivalo, Hassaya Chartmontri The Nation
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