Opposition files motion to impeach defiant PM
By: AEKARACH SATTABURUTH
Published: 12/03/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
The opposition Puea Thai party has filed a motion to impeach Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, accusing the premier of violating the constitution and other laws to secure his post. The party also accuses the prime minister of abusing his power.
Mr Abhisit yesterday shrugged off the attack saying he was confident he would be able to defend himself.
The motion, signed by 158 of 187 Puea Thai MPs, was submitted yesterday by Puea Thai MP for Yasothon Peeraphan Palusuk. The motion was backed by a nine-page document listing seven alleged irregularities committed by Mr Abhisit.
One allegation goes back to his Democrat party's boycott of the April 2, 2006, snap election, after a major political battle against the Thaksin Shinawatra government which dissolved the House. Mr Abhisit's actions, as Democrat leader, were viewed as undemocratic.
Other allegations touch on Mr Abhisit's rise to power which was allegedly helped by ''elite groups'' without holding a general election.
His management inside the party is also in question, according to the documents. The premier is accused of certifying the party membership of Thanin Jaisamut even though he was disqualified as chief of a provincial organisation administration in Satun by the provincial election commission.
Mr Abhisit is also accused of trying to conceal a report that a company listed on the stock exchange donated money to his party.
The appointment of Kasit Piromya, who regularly attended anti-government protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy which laid siege to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, as foreign minister is another reason cited for the proposed impeachment.
According to the documents, the premier also failed to protect Thai territory by allowing a neighbouring country to use areas in Thailand as a path to the ancient ruins of Khao Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear).
Finally, the documents said, Mr Abhisit abused his power by asking Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij to seek support from mobile phone operators to send SMS messages to millions of people in December last year after he was appointed the prime minister. The act has been blasted as an invasion of their privacy.
Mr Abhisit said he was unperturbed by the opposition's accusations.
''It's no problem at all, I'm confident I will be able to defend myself against all the accusations,'' he said .
Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the party would also file a censure motion today against Mr Abhisit and other cabinet ministers, including Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul and his deputy Boonjong Wongtrairat, Finance Minister Korn and his deputy Pradit Phataraprasit.
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By: AEKARACH SATTABURUTH
Published: 12/03/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
The opposition Puea Thai party has filed a motion to impeach Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, accusing the premier of violating the constitution and other laws to secure his post. The party also accuses the prime minister of abusing his power.
Mr Abhisit yesterday shrugged off the attack saying he was confident he would be able to defend himself.
The motion, signed by 158 of 187 Puea Thai MPs, was submitted yesterday by Puea Thai MP for Yasothon Peeraphan Palusuk. The motion was backed by a nine-page document listing seven alleged irregularities committed by Mr Abhisit.
One allegation goes back to his Democrat party's boycott of the April 2, 2006, snap election, after a major political battle against the Thaksin Shinawatra government which dissolved the House. Mr Abhisit's actions, as Democrat leader, were viewed as undemocratic.
Other allegations touch on Mr Abhisit's rise to power which was allegedly helped by ''elite groups'' without holding a general election.
His management inside the party is also in question, according to the documents. The premier is accused of certifying the party membership of Thanin Jaisamut even though he was disqualified as chief of a provincial organisation administration in Satun by the provincial election commission.
Mr Abhisit is also accused of trying to conceal a report that a company listed on the stock exchange donated money to his party.
The appointment of Kasit Piromya, who regularly attended anti-government protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy which laid siege to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, as foreign minister is another reason cited for the proposed impeachment.
According to the documents, the premier also failed to protect Thai territory by allowing a neighbouring country to use areas in Thailand as a path to the ancient ruins of Khao Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear).
Finally, the documents said, Mr Abhisit abused his power by asking Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij to seek support from mobile phone operators to send SMS messages to millions of people in December last year after he was appointed the prime minister. The act has been blasted as an invasion of their privacy.
Mr Abhisit said he was unperturbed by the opposition's accusations.
''It's no problem at all, I'm confident I will be able to defend myself against all the accusations,'' he said .
Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the party would also file a censure motion today against Mr Abhisit and other cabinet ministers, including Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul and his deputy Boonjong Wongtrairat, Finance Minister Korn and his deputy Pradit Phataraprasit.
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