In a novel constitutional dispute, PM picks Wissanu.
Previous deputy prime minister and constitutional professional Wissanu Krea-ngam will be appointed as an assistant to the Cabinet’s Secretariat to assist with the government’s legal matters.
Mr. Wissanu confirmed on Tuesday that Srettha Thavisin may designate him to fill the position.
He claimed that the committee had recently contacted him to ask for it after he resigned as deputy prime minister after the Prayut Chan-o-cha government’s rule expired last season.
When Mr. Srettha learned of the situation, he informed him that he would nominate him as an assistant to the secretary.
” I’ve previously discussed the matter with representatives from the commission’s committee. They promised to update the paperwork and working program. They said they would ask me to be an director”, Mr Wissanu said.
He continued, adding that he is not required to report a declaration of assets and liabilities to the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) like other political office holders, which is not a political office without a salary.
” The new article is unique from an assistant to the perfect chancellor”, he added.
Mr. Wissanu resisted stating that he would not get any political business as a result of his being asked if this would allow him to once again assume the position of deputy prime minister under the Pheu Thai-led authorities.
He added that next Saturday he met Mr. Srettha for discussions on a variety of subjects.
They included the prime minister’s new travels to France and Italy, as well as the complaint filed by 40 lawmakers opposing the prime minister’s session of Pichit Chuenban as business secretary.
Additionally, Mr. Wissanu denied that Mr. Srettha may assist him in helping him fight the case in court.
Despite the fact that his eligibility was in dispute, the Constitutional Court next Thursday approved a petition asking for Mr. Srettha’s impeachment over the visit of Pichit.
Mr. Srettha was instructed by the courts to provide an explanation within 15 weeks. However, the jury decided not to dismiss him as PM pending its decision.
Previously, the 40 caretaker senators had asked the Constitutional Court if Mr Srettha and Pichit should be removed from office under Section 170 ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) of the charter, which deals with the ethics of cabinet ministers.
After the 2014 revolution, Mr Wissanu was appointed as deputy prime minister in charge of constitutional politics under the previous administration.
He even served as deputy prime minister under Thaksin Shinawatra between 2002 and 2006 and as the commission’s minister from 1993 to 2002.
Mr Srettha said on Tuesday a prime minister’s attempt for Mr Wissanu’s interview was being drawn upward. ” I presently met him for deals on the problem”, he said.
When asked if the government’s hiring of Mr. Wissanu implies that there are n’t enough legal experts in the administration, Mr. Srettha responded that it is necessary to find more capable individuals to support its efforts so that it can better serve the public.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the deputy prime minister and inside secretary, welcomed Mr. Wissanu’s session, praising his constitutional acumen as a benefit to the government.
MP Parit Wacharasindhu, a member of the Move Forward Party ( MPF), claimed on Tuesday that the Pheu Thai-led government had no other viable option and had to approach the previous government to ask a former cabinet minister to assist with its work.
Mr. Parit, who presides the House committee on social development, bulk conversation, and public participation, said it was questionable whether the real motivation for appointing Mr. Wissanu was to assist Mr. Srettha in the court case or whether it was just to support the government’s work as the prime minister claimed.