Advisers take stock of their new posts
The announcement by the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) on Tuesday of the members of four advisory committees has elicited mixed responses - some people expressed surprise at being chosen, some are happy, while others are still deciding whether they want to be involved.
Former senator Sophon Suphapong, who has been put forward for the advisory committee on reconciliation and justice, said he did not know about his appointment before it was announced. However, he said he understood the need due to the CDR's limited time and he was therefore happy to help.He said he wanted to listen to people's opinions and propose ways to promote reconciliation by eradicating the injustice of corruption caused by the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Moreover, he said the CDR should investigate and eradicate injustice from capitalism under Thaksin's government as well as by criminals and government officers' abuse of power, especially in the restive South. Sungsidh Piriyarangsan, an academic and leader of an anti-Thaksin civic group, is on the advisory committee for the promotion of ethics, good governance and the prevention of corruption and abuse of power. He wants the CDR to let the media take part in the investigation against corruption, in addition to famous people and government officers proposed at the moment. Veteran social development worker Paiboon Wattanasiritham has been appointed chief adviser for the committee on reconciliation and justice, while Gothom Arya, Prateep Ungsongtham Hata, Thammasat University political science lecturer Chaiwat Satha-anand and dean of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science Assoc Professor Charas Suwanmala, who were appointed to the committee, said they had not been contacted by the CDR. Meanwhile, Gothom, Prateep, Chaiwat and Charas said it was too soon to say or decide anything, as they do not know what the CDR expected them to do. On Tuesday the CDR appointed 65 people as members of four advisory committees: economic affairs; foreign affairs; promotion of ethics, good governance and the prevention of corruption and abuse of power; and reconciliation and justice. Chulalongkorn University economics lecturer Pasuk Phongpaichit yesterday refused appointment to two panels saying she disagreed with the coup. She resigned from the committee on economic affairs and the committee on the promotion of ethics, good governance and the prevention of corruption and abuse of power. Budsarakham Sinlapalavan Kornchanok Raksaseri The Nation
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