In a whirlwind of political drama, General Prawit Wongsuwon of the Palang Pracharath Party found himself under the glaring spotlight as he was reelected as the party leader during a bustling general assembly on September 6. This grand event saw the selection of a fresh 24-member executive board and the reaffirmation of Gen Prawit’s leadership. However, his victory was quickly overshadowed by a pressing issue: his notable absences from parliamentary sessions.
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha didn’t waste any time, giving the green light for the House Ethics Committee to delve into the mystery of Gen Prawit’s frequent absences. This move was spurred by a petition from Prompong Nopparit, a former spokesman for the Pheu Thai Party, submitted earlier this week. Prompong’s demand was clear: Investigate the recurring no-shows of Gen Prawit in parliament, a situation that has raised several eyebrows.
The numbers weren’t exactly in Gen Prawit’s favor. Since July 3 of last year, he has only graced 11 parliamentary sessions with his presence. This is a stark contrast to the 83 times he has submitted personal leave and the one day he called in sick, totaling a mind-boggling 84 absences out of 95 meeting days. It’s no surprise that these statistics have become a hot topic of debate.
However, House Speaker Wan Noor emphasized the complexity of the issue. “The House regulations do allow members of parliament to take leave if it’s necessary. This can include other engagements or health issues,” he explained. “The tricky part is defining what constitutes as ‘necessary’. Ultimately, the people who elected the MPs will be the judges of this.” He also reminded that it is indeed an MP’s duty to participate in House meetings.
When asked if Gen Prawit would be summoned to provide clarification, Mr. Wan Noor noted that it isn’t a requirement. Unlike a court of law, the House doesn’t possess the legal authority to force MPs to make statements. Talk about a loophole!
Meanwhile, Prompong Nopparit took his pursuit for accountability a step further. He submitted a separate petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, urging an investigation into whether Gen Prawit’s habitual absences violated ethical standards or bordered on an intentional breach of duty or misuse of power as per the constitution.
In his scathing statement, Prompong declared that Gen Prawit’s frequent absences were a clear indication of a failure to fulfill his responsibilities as a party-list MP for the PPRP. He didn’t stop there; he also accused Gen Prawit of orchestrating a sneaky maneuver by having a government official scan his MP ID card on days he was conveniently marked as present. Oh, what a tangled web of politics!
This unfolding saga has certainly captured the attention of the public and political pundits alike. Will Gen Prawit weather this storm or will this investigation bring tides of change within the Palang Pracharath Party? There’s sure to be more developments as the Ethics Committee begins to peel back the layers of this intriguing case. Stay tuned, because in the world of politics, the drama never ceases!
It’s ridiculous that someone can be reelected with such a poor attendance record. How is this acceptable?
Well, politics is a game of power and influence. Sometimes competence takes a back seat.
It’s about time someone held him accountable! The ethics probe should be thorough and unbiased.
I totally agree! But do you think the Ethics Committee will actually do anything?
Maybe it’s about connections. When you have the right friends, rules don’t seem to apply.
Why even have ethics committees if they don’t have real enforcement power?
Exactly! It’s like having a guard dog without teeth. Pointless and infuriating.
It’s a classic political move, just for show to pacify the public.
Gen Prawit’s absences really make you question his dedication to his duties. What are MPs paid for?
Sadly, for some, it’s less about serving the people and more about serving themselves.
Spot on, Kevin. The whole system needs reform.
This is classic political drama. Guarantee he’s not the only one with a questionable attendance record.
For sure, Mia. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating, does it?
True. It’s just disheartening how widespread this issue might be.
What’s more worrisome is the allegation that he had someone scan his ID and mark him as present. That’s blatant dishonesty.
Give him a break! Health issues can be serious, and it’s not like other jobs where you can work from home.
True, but there’s a limit to how much leniency should be given. 84 absences out of 95 is extreme.
Agreed, Celine. If he’s too sick to attend, maybe he shouldn’t be in the role anymore.
Fair points. But wouldn’t it be wise to wait for the investigation results before passing judgement?
Good on Prompong Nopparit for pushing this investigation. People need to be held accountable.
It’s all for show. Nothing will come of this investigation.
How long will this investigation take? Months? Years? By then, the public will have moved on to the next scandal.
Does anyone else think this could weaken the Palang Pracharath Party’s future prospects?
Absolutely, Michael. If the ethics probe finds anything damaging, it could seriously hurt their credibility.
And in politics, credibility is everything. Might even lead to changes in leadership.
That might actually be the best thing that could happen to them.
Politics hasn’t changed much, has it? Same old scandals, different faces.
Ethics in politics seems like an oxymoron at this point.
Totally agree, Timmy. It’s a mess everywhere you look.
Maybe we’re just expecting too much from our politicians…
Expecting them to do their jobs isn’t asking too much. Is it?
This is exactly why people are losing faith in the government. They demand transparency but give us nothing.
Sure is convenient for Gen Prawit that parliament can’t force him to testify. Talk about a loophole!
It’s more like a chasm than a loophole. He should be forced to explain himself.
Let’s see what the investigation uncovers before jumping to conclusions.
Prawit’s leadership is a farce. When will people wake up?
Different country, same old political problems. When will we learn?
We need leaders who are fully committed to their responsibilities. This is unacceptable and a disgrace.