MFP urged to behave against councillor
The network of civil groups on Thursday night stepped up requires political parties to tighten the potential political election candidate screening procedure after a Move Forward Party (MFP) Bangkok city councillor became embroiled in a sex scandal.
Sathon district councillor Arnuparb Tarntong reported in order to police at Thung Mahamek police station on Wednesday plus denied sexual harassment accusations brought by four young women, all party supporters.
The 38-year-old any of 14 MFP candidates who won seats in the Bangkok council election on May 22 as well as the second politician this year to find himself fighting charges of lovemaking abuse.
Prinn Panitchpakdi, previous deputy Democrat Celebration leader, quit the particular party when allegations were made towards him in Apr.
In light of the latest scandal, a network of civil groups monitoring sexual misconduct concerning public figures and those working on children and women development on Thursday demanded that will political parties be more rigorous in the testing of potential applicants as well as their politics office holders.
Parties should look into candidates’ background to see if they have engaged in inappropriate behaviour, which includes sexual misconduct plus harassment or disrespected gender rights, the particular groups said.
Election candidates should be screened for this and offenders must not qualify to represent parties, they said. They called on the MFP to take action against the politician and the Bangkok City Council not to lay on the issue and pressured that the victims must receive protection.
Thanawadee Thacheen, the network’s planner, said the city councillor should quit the party to fight the particular charges.
Ramrung Worawat, deputy permanent secretary with regard to social development plus human security, on Thursday urged sufferers of sexual violence to protect their legal rights and seek help.
The lady said they are urged to contact the Department of Women’s Matters and Family Development and the Department of youngsters and Youth to get both legal plus mental support.
Responding to the particular allegation for the first time upon Thursday, Mr Arnuparb tweeted that he will be fully prepared to combat the case through every step of the justice system to prove his innocence.
This individual thanked his followers for their moral support.
Their tweet, however , had been met with remarks that drew parallels to the Prinn scandal. Whereas Mr Prinn bowed out of the Liberal Party, several netizens urged Mr Arnuparb to do the same plus relinquish his city councillor post. On Tuesday, the MFP issued an apology and promised in order to cooperate with law enforcement.
Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, former Bangkok governor and main of the party’s functioning team on Bangkok policies, said the particular MFP would send out the case to a disciplinary committee for possible action against Mister Arnuparb.
However , the party would leave your decision about Mr Arnuparb’s future on the city council to him, he said.