JARUVAN AFFAIR: Suchon told ‘3 days to fix impasse’
Published on September 12, 2005 - Civic groups warn Senate chief they’ll move to oust him. Civic groups yesterday gave Senate Speaker Suchon Chalee-krua until Wednesday to take action to break the impasse over his controversial nomination of a new auditor-general - or they will begin an impeachment campaign against him.
Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said civic groups had agreed to give Suchon three days after his return today from a trip to the United States.
He said the Senate speaker should do something to settle the problem, such as calling a Senate meeting to discuss the issue, or withdrawing the nomination.
If Suchon does nothing about the matter, a signature campaign for his impeachment will begin on Thursday at Sanam Luang, said Suriyasai, adding that prospective supporters would be welcome from 11am.
He expected it would take campaign organisers a month to collect the 50,000 signatures required by the Constitution for impeachment of a political officeholder.
The activist warned that civic groups would next target members of the State Audit Commission in their impeachment drive. He was speaking at a press conference at the Foundation of Volunteers for Society.
The Senate speaker was heavily criticised by other activists at the same event for his handling of the auditor-general issue.
Kanin Boonsuwan, a former member of the defunct Constitution Drafting Assembly, said Suchon had made “an unforgivable mistake” when he submitted the nomination of a new auditor-general for royal endorsement while legal problems involving the incumbent office-holder, Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka, remained unresolved.
He suggested that Suchon resign from his post to allow his deputy to withdraw the nomination.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Bhokin Bhalakula yesterday dismissed speculation he discussed the issue with Suchon when they were in the US.
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Grilling ahead
Senator Winyu Ularnkul said yesterday that at today’s senatorial meeting he would query the Upper House speaker about the controversial nomination of a new auditor-general.
The Sakon Nakhon senator said it was time Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua told his colleagues about the latest developments in the nomination of Visut Montriwat to replace Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka, a move for which he requested royal endorsement more than 90 days ago.
“If Suchon remains tight-lipped again, I believe many senators will press him for an answer. It’s been a long time already, and Suchon should now have a good answer for his colleagues and for society at large,” Winyu said.
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