The Constitutional Court has ruled that Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai can continue to perform his duty pending the court’s verdict on his qualification.
The court said there was no justification to stop the foreign minister from performing his duty as there was no cause to suspect that it would cause damage to national administration or to the public.
The court also said that there was factual issue that has yet to be settled and scheduled a hearing on September 25 for three witnesses to testify.
Minister Don’s qualification issue originated from a complaint lodged with the Election Commission by Pheu Thai legal hand, Ruangkrai Likitwattana, to investigate the share holding of nine cabinet ministers, including Foreign Minister Don.
The EC set up a panel to probe into the issue and the panel cleared all the ministers but Mr Don after it was found out that his wife’s share-holding in excess of 5 percent was not declared with the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
According to the Constitution, failing to declare assets of a minister and his or her spouse with the NACC is tantamount to a cover-up and the minister in question will not be qualified to stay on. But the final ruling rests with the Constitutional Court.
