Jakrapob needs to change tack in regard to the media

I gave the thumbs up to The Nation's May 13 editorial, when you bluntly criticised the performance of PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair.

By doing that, you have proved that the freedom of the press still exists and that the media can still ask questions about the performance of a minister when they see something out of line.

Without media freedom, the eyes and ears of the public will be half or fully shut. Jakrapob is not a fool but he might be misled by his advisors or his superiors. And by his interference with the media time and time again, he is ruining his own reputation and losing the respect of the general public.

Historically, national leaders who tried to muzzle the media, wanting the public to get only one-sided information, as in the case of Burma for instance, end up facing worldwide condemnation.

Somebody needs to remind Jakrapob of this. I'm glad, The Nation did it.            

Yongyut K

Pathum Thani

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Direct cash aid to Burma must not be an option

If anyone ever had the slightest doubts about the motives of the ruthless generals controlling Burma they must have totally evaporated by now.

Their atrocious inaction in the immediate wake of the tragedy that has engulfed much of the country and millions of its citizens has once again demonstrated where their priorities lie; to enhance their opulent lifestyles and hold on to power at any cost. And the cost in the lost lives, misery and suffering of the Burmese people and the country in general is beyond description.

Countless lives could have been saved had immediate action been taken to permit foreign aid workers to enter the country.

While the world has once again immediately opened its heart to help those in distress, brushing aside politics for the sake of humanity, the generals dithered and continued to focus on the referendum which is aimed purely at boosting their hold on power. How heartless can they be? Their spokesperson said they were ready to accept cash and aid but not yet willing to allow foreign aid workers to enter the country.

These generals are morally bankrupt and gripped by their own insecurity and paranoia.

One must hope that direct aid in the form of cash is not an option as one can surely guess where it will end up.

I trust that PM Samak Sundaravej is choking on his words when he said the generals are good Buddhists because they meditate. The world now knows what they meditate about.

Chris Kaye

Chonburi

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Special assembly to amend Constitution makes sense

Re: The Nation's May 8 editorial, Constitutional change should avoid conflict.  The 1997 edition was arguably one of the best we have ever had, due in large part to the process by which it was drafted - getting input from a wide number of people from all walks and levels of society.

Still, nobody claims that it is perfect, and the flaws should be fixed through the same proven process by which the original was drafted - not just by MPs.

Politicians of all stripes and government after government have proven

themselves to be more concerned with their vested interests rather than those for the common good.

For example, why is the People Power Party so enamoured with changing those articles which could lead to the PPP being dissolved if found guilty of electoral fraud, rather than waiting until their case has been decided upon by the courts before pushing for amendments?

So, change only Article 291 now to allow amendment by a special assembly, rather than through Parliament alone, then let we the people speak.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok