ID :
10833
Thu, 06/26/2008 - 09:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/10833
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Opposition censures Finance Minister; Debate extended to third day
BANGKOK, June 26 (TNA) - Thailand's parliamentary Opposition has formally charged the country's Finance Minister with failing in the performance of his official duties and with favouring political patrons over the people.
During the second day of the no-confidence debate in Parliament, Democrat
MP Juti Krairerk said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong
Suebwonglee had failed to inspire investor confidence, as he was too busy
attempting to pay back favours to his political patrons.
Mr. Juti cited the case of the appointments of former Thai Rak Thai Party
executives as board members of state-owned enterprises.
Claiming that Mr. Surapong applied "double standards," in managing
politically-related financial affairs, Mr. Juti said the Revenue
Department eagerly sought to collect all possible taxes from ordinary
citizens while being quite lax in its efforts to pursue the fair and
honest collection of appropriate taxes from politically-linked
corporations and individuals.
In addition, the Opposition MP said the Securities Exchange Commission
(SEC) neglected to act against stock manipulations by companies connected
to political parties. Nor did it cooperate with the Assets Examination
Committee investigating corruption charges against former premier Thaksin
Shinawatra.
All these, he said, failed to shore up foreign investor confidence in
Thailand.
In his rebuttal, Mr. Surapong said he had worked hard during the past four
months and that he played no role in the appointment of state enterprise
board members. His immediate priority for the present is to restore
investor confidence in Thailand in the aftermath of political uncertainty.
The debate has been extended by an additional day, now being scheduled
through Thursday with MPs scheduled to cast their votes on Friday.
Government Chief Whip Samart Kaewmeechai said his colleagues and
Opposition whips had agreed to extend the censure debate to Thursday,
during which ministers in charge of the Transport Ministry, Justice
Ministry and Interior Ministry will be taken to task. (TNA)
During the second day of the no-confidence debate in Parliament, Democrat
MP Juti Krairerk said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong
Suebwonglee had failed to inspire investor confidence, as he was too busy
attempting to pay back favours to his political patrons.
Mr. Juti cited the case of the appointments of former Thai Rak Thai Party
executives as board members of state-owned enterprises.
Claiming that Mr. Surapong applied "double standards," in managing
politically-related financial affairs, Mr. Juti said the Revenue
Department eagerly sought to collect all possible taxes from ordinary
citizens while being quite lax in its efforts to pursue the fair and
honest collection of appropriate taxes from politically-linked
corporations and individuals.
In addition, the Opposition MP said the Securities Exchange Commission
(SEC) neglected to act against stock manipulations by companies connected
to political parties. Nor did it cooperate with the Assets Examination
Committee investigating corruption charges against former premier Thaksin
Shinawatra.
All these, he said, failed to shore up foreign investor confidence in
Thailand.
In his rebuttal, Mr. Surapong said he had worked hard during the past four
months and that he played no role in the appointment of state enterprise
board members. His immediate priority for the present is to restore
investor confidence in Thailand in the aftermath of political uncertainty.
The debate has been extended by an additional day, now being scheduled
through Thursday with MPs scheduled to cast their votes on Friday.
Government Chief Whip Samart Kaewmeechai said his colleagues and
Opposition whips had agreed to extend the censure debate to Thursday,
during which ministers in charge of the Transport Ministry, Justice
Ministry and Interior Ministry will be taken to task. (TNA)
