Chaturon calls for exclusion of former drafters in rewrite

The Nation

Banned party executive Chaturon Chaisang yesterday called for the formation of a Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) to rewrite the 2007 Constitution in order to speed up amendments and avoid a political crisis.

Chaturon made a clear departure from the mainstream thinking of the People Power Party (PPP) which favours the sole involvement of MPs and senators in making constitutional changes.

"The CDA should exclude former charter writers because of their link to the coup," Chaturon said.

He urged parties concerned to quickly complete the rewriting process, preferably lasting no more than 180 days, and warned that a prolonged process would inflame political animosity.

Reacting to Chaturon's remarks, PM's Office Minister Choosak Sirinin said the proposal was sensible although it would be up to the coalition parties to finalise a decision on how to proceed with the charter rewrite.

"Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will soon meet coalition partners to reach a conclusion on the rewrite," Choosak said.

He said the planned charter amendments and the rewriting format would become clear after consultation among coalition leaders. He urged rival camps against making hasty speculation.

He also insisted that elected lawmakers were empowered to effect constitutional changes as enshrined in the charter's Article 291, side-stepping a direct question whether the planned changes were meant for installing ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra in power once again.

Democrat Party deputy spokesman Sathit Pitudecha said the PPP was trying to invoke democracy as a shield for its malicious intentions to evade punishment by party dissolution and for Thaksin to elude graft charges.

"The Constitution is not a problem but the real issue is about offenders trying to escape dissolution by amending the charter," Sathit said.

He said the government should focus on solving the people's grievances instead of trying to fix the rules for self-serving gains.

He said the Democrats agreed with having the CDA take charge of the rewriting as this would involve all sectors of society and rule out the coalition's domination over the constitutional changes.

The number of Bangkok residents supporting a charter rewrite has fallen from 59.3 per cent in March to 49.6 per cent, an Abac Poll said.

About 76 per cent voiced concern that a political crisis might erupt from the charter debate at this juncture. Almost an equal number said the government should hold a referendum before seeking to amend the charter.

Former charter writers will tomorrow hold a meeting to take a common stand. They have expressed concern about the planned revamp of independent organisations.

"A proposal to replace incumbent office holders in the Election Commission and the National Counter Corruption Commission within 180 days will, if allowed to happen, bring about the collapse of the system of checks and balances as enshrined in the suspended 1997 charter and the 2007 Constitution," former charter writer Kannikar Banthernchit said.