Govt whip looking to penalise 'absent' MPs
Deputy House Speaker Samart Kaewmeechai said that though three MPs from coalition parties were not at the parliamentary convention last week, they appeared present in the roll call.
However, he said, no strict measures could be taken to punish the MPs and senators not attending the government's policy declaration last Tuesday, other than issuing them with a warning.
Moreover, he said, the three absences did not affect the quorum of 311, because there were 317 senators and MPs present and that the Democrats could not have the convention disqualified by the Constitution Court.
Last week, the Opposition said it would file a complaint with the Constitution Court if it found irregularities in the October 7 parliamentary convention. It said that at least three MPs, including Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung and MP Sarit Ung-apinan, both from the People Power Party; and Manit Nopamornbodi from Matchima Thipataya Party were not there in person but the roll call showed them as present.
The government whip Witthaya Buranasiri said he was looking for ways to penalise the absent MPs and senators, adding that the policy declaration was a success regardless of the opposition from Democrats.
Still, he said he was studying the law to see if there was a penalty for MPs and senators who intentionally skipped the convention.
He also added that Chalerm and the other "absent" MPs would have to explain at the House meeting next week why their names showed up at the parliamentary roll-call when they were not there in person. Chalerm was at his office in the ministry at the same time as he was shown present in Parliament, Witthaya said.
Meanwhile, assistant Democrat secretary-general and Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Thepthai Senpong said the party was trying to verify the signatures of MPs and senators at the session through recordings from the closed circuit television. Lop Buri PPP MP Suchart Lainamngern said the government whip would also seek a Constitution Court ruling against MPs and senators who failed to do their jobs properly.
Witthaya said the government would continue forming a charter-amendment assembly, even though the Democrats were planning to boycott it.
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