House Speaker Chuan Leekpai has apparently rebuked House anti-corruption committee chairman Seripisut Temiyavet for overstepping his authority when he invited Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan for questioning about the legitimacy of the government, in the light of the Prime Minister’s incomplete recital of an oath at the swearing-in ceremony.
Mr. Chuan said that he had been urging those invited by any of the House committees to cooperate adding, however, that the committee chairs who extend the invitations must treat their guests with respect and honour “because they are not answerable to the committees and they should not be invited just to be intimidated, but to provide facts and views to the committees.”
The House speaker also said that committees which extend such invitations must not overstep their authority.
Although he did not mention any particular House committee, or the name the committee chairman, it is widely understood that was referring to the House anti-corruption committee, headed by Seripisut, a former national police chief and leader of the Seri Ruam Thai party.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s secretary-general, Mr. Dissatat Hotrakit, has sent a letter to Seripisut challenging his authority to invite the Prime Minister and General Prawit for questioning on matters which do not concern irregularities, pointing out that the reciting of an oath relates to an exclusive relationship between the King and the cabinet, which is a charter-mandated organization.
Mr. Dissatat also noted that, on December 17th, when the Prime Minister presented the budget in Parliament, the House endorsed two bills, including an executive decree on the transfer of some army units to the Royal Security Command, without protests concerning the legitimacy of the Government.
