Good politicians deserve more pay, panel says

Good working and retired politicians deserve more money, benefits and welfare but they must give priority to public interest, according to the parliamentary committee studying national reconciliation, political reform and charter amendment.

The committee said better remuneration would encourage politicians to focus on work in parliament rather than other activities that may get them further income.

"Carrot and stick" measures should be exercised with politicians, according to the panel, chaired by Senator Direk Tuengfang. MPs and senators should set a good example to people. They should be trained and get financial support in case qualified and quality people lack money to run in elections.

During its last meeting yesterday, committee members agreed to scrap the dissolution of parties and the revoking of voting rights as penalties for cases of electoral fraud by party executives. But they said wrongdoers must face more penalties than ordinary MP candidates.

The right to vote was a person's fundamental right and should not be revoked, the committee said.

The committee also agreed that people and civic agencies should be allowed to take part in selection committees for members of independent organisations or even be candidates for such positions.

And the "picky" rules for election should be revised, the committee members agreed.

To strengthen political parties and promote public participation in politics, the committee agreed people deserve more chances to identify party policies and regulations.

Members also agreed the time required for a person to quit a political party before applying for candidacy of independent organisations should be reduced.

The laws currently require a person to stop being a member or holding a post in a political party for three years before they can be candidates for independent organisations. But this was considered too long.

People would avoid being members of political parties so they could qualify for positions on independent bodies, panel members said.

Meanwhile, taxpayers should be able to donate more taxable sums to political parties than the present Bt100. Regulations should be clearer to allow donors to political parties to get a tax reduction, panel members said yesterday.

National Institute of Development Administration rector Sombat Tamrongtanya-wong said people should be able to indicate the amount of their taxes to be given to parties. That would allow enable people to directly support parties instead of it being done via allocation by the Election Commission and Political Party Development Fund.

This should also help to stop capitalists dominating parties. Parties would also be more active in trying to draw support from people, he said.

However, former charter drafter Kanin Boonsuwan said large donors would still be able to dominate parties and such money derived from tax could hurt the country's financial system.

Pheu Thai MP Santi Phromphat proposed making it more convenient for people to apply for membership or quit political parties.

The committee will present its report to House Speaker Chai Chidchob and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on July 16.