Activists in campaign to impeach NCCC members

The activists informed the Senate yesterday of their plan to seek the impeachment of the NCCC members for alleged intentional violation of the Constitution and certain actions. They met with Deputy Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanit.

Prateep Ungsongtham Hata, one of the activists, said the NCCC members failed to get royal endorsement for their appointments by the coup makers. She said they violated the Constitution by remaining in office.

She insisted the group's campaign against the NCCC members had nothing to do with the ruling People Power Party, which was planning a similar move.

Prateep said the group would collect the signatures of at least 20,000 eligible voters to back the campaign to impeach the nine NCCC members. The list would be submitted to the Senate speaker.

Chinnawat Habunpad, another pro-government activist taking part in the signature campaign, said the group had no connection with People Power.

He said the NCCC members were appointed under a law of 1999, which requires members of the independent anti-graft organisation to get royal endorsement before they can assume office.

"So this NCCC is an illegal one. We ask for all the NCCC members to resign and return all of their salaries that have come from taxpayers' money," he said.

Chinnawat said the group's supporters would gather at the NCCC headquarters today to demand the members resign.

Meanwhile, NCCC member Prasat Pongsiwaphai insisted yesterday that the agency's nine members were appointed legally and legitimately.

He said that shortly after their appointment the NCCC had consulted with the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary on whether their appointment would require royal endorsement. The reply from the Office was that the National Security Council that appointed them had full authority as the sovereign power.

NCCC chairman Panthep Klanarongran said the agency's members would discuss today whether to consult with the Constitution Court about their status. He expressed confidence that appointment of NCCC members was lawful and legitimate.