Govt wants public view on how to end conflict
POST REPORTERS
No holding back the tears
A disappointed demonstrator at the People's Alliance for Democracy rally at Government House cannot hold back her tears as she learns that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has refused to step down or call a snap election. |
The Samak Sundaravej cabinet's resolution to hold a referendum to get the public's view on ways to end the political turmoil has come under fire, with claims it would only prolong the conflict.
The referendum, proposed by Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Somsak Prissananantakul, a deputy Chart Thai party leader, was adopted at a special cabinet meeting after Mr Samak went on radio yesterday to quash rumours that he would step down.
Government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat said a referendum would be organised as soon as the Public Referendum Bill becomes law.
The organic legislation, drafted by the Election Commission (EC), has been endorsed by the House of Representatives and awaits review by the Senate. It will be submitted for senate scrutiny on Monday and consideration must be completed within 90 days.
Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote said while the bill is pending passage, the Council of State has been instructed to formulate the questions to be put to the people.
The public will have 30 days to discuss the questions and topics of the referendum before it is held.
''The questions must not take sides. They must also be transparent and easy for everyone to read and understand,'' he said.
Speaking on another radio broadcast yesterday afternoon, Mr Samak said a referendum was legitimate under Article 165 of the current charter. He urged the Senate to speed up deliberation of the referendum bill.
He said the campaign for the referendum would take a month and during that period the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) could continue with its protests.
''The campaign will last for a month. And it shouldn't be a problem if the PAD continues to lay siege to Government House in that period,'' he said.
''I will promote the referendum on 140 radio and television stations nationwide.''
While the government is upbeat about the planned referendum, critics have slammed the idea.
PAD core leader Somsak Kosaisuk said the referendum would be unconstitutional and could not be used to solve the political crisis. ''The PAD will continue its rallies,'' he said.
Another PAD leader Pibhop Dhongchai said the referendum was part of the government's game to disperse the demonstrators, not a solution.
EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn warned that the government could risk violating the constitution by holding a referendum.
The government must be very careful about the topics and questions to be asked because the constitution bars certain issues, he said.
Democrat MP Sathit Wongnongtoey said it would violate the charter, which prohibits a referendum on an individual or a group of individuals.
He said it would deepen the conflict and urged coalition parties in the government to pull out in order to end the political deadlock.
Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej said the political crisis needed to be resolved urgently and he doubted the bill would be passed into law in time.
''The situation must be tackled as soon as possible to avoid damage to the country. We can't wait for this law,'' he said.
It would take at least a month for the Senate to pass the bill.
Siriwan Chaiyana, chairman of the independent poll watchdog P-Net in Chiang Mai, said the voting would be tampered with just like the elections and the idea should be dropped.
Local leaders in several provinces were also against the referendum, saying it was not the way to solve the political stand-off under the democratic system.
Chatchai Jiamsripong, chairman of Phichit provincial administrative organisation, said the government would use its power and force local leaders and pressure groups to vote in its favour.
''The other side will not accept the result and chaos will return,'' he said.
Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said it might not be the right solution. Both sides seemed adamant in their demands.
However, Fukujiro Yamabe, president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, was optimistic.
''This type of voting reflects correctly the people's intention. But it depends on the questions and many people might oppose this idea and won't take part.''
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