Gaybutton Posted September 30, 2008 Posted September 30, 2008 The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Somchai Charged Less than two weeks after being elected prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat could lose the post and his seat in parliament over another shares scandal. Senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana charged at the Election Commission on Monday that Mr Somchai helds 100,000 shares in a listed telcommunications company, CS Loxinfo, which does business with a state enterprise. According to the senator, Mr Somchai held 100,000 shares worth 368,000 baht in the firm, which operates under a concession granted by CAT Telecom. Mr Somchai made a brief public statement to the press. He said he would adhere to the legal and judicial process. "I have no worries at all," he told reporters. That process could now bring him down. Sen Ruangkrai, who filed the charges that caused the downfall of ex-premier Samak Sundaravej for hosting a TV cooking show while prime minister, said that Mr Somchai's alleged share holdings violate a number of constitutional articles. Several of them bar government office holders from owning shares of companies doing business with state enterprises. One, Article 48, also bans owning any shares in any telecoms company at all. Mr Somchai has headed the cabinet for less than a week, after taking the post following the court's dismissal of Mr Samak. The legal case filed by Sen Ruangkrai could be drawn out for several months, but the steps are clear. The Election Commission will consider the charges, and if it feels they are warranted, it will forward them to the Constitution Court, which can order a brief trial and then pass a verdict. Election Commission spokesman Ruangrote Jomsueb said a subcommittee would be appointed to investigate the matter, the first necessary step. Mr Somchai can legally hold his post through the process and told the media on Monday he intends to do so. As an ex-judge, he pledged to act in a legal way. ____________________ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Let Law Takes Its Course, Says PM By Atthayuth Butrsripoom, Worranaree Kosajan, The nation Published on September 30, 2008 Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said yesterday he was not disturbed that he would be investigated for alledgedly violating the Constitution by holding shares in CS Loxinfo that has a concession with CAT, and having his daughter hold shares in M Link, a company that operates a state concession. "For the investigation, everything must go in accordance with the law. I had announced clearly that I accepted to become head of the government and I will uphold principles and justice," he said. He was speaking after appointed Senator Ruengkrai Leekitwattana filed a complaint with the Election Commission to check if Somchai had violated the charter and should be disqualified and removed from his post. Ruengkrai's earlier complaint against former prime minister Samak Sundaravej, of violating the Constitution by continuing to host his cooking programme despite being head of government, had resulted in Samak losing his premiership early this month. Ruengkrai said he suspected Somchai may have disqualified himself since January 22 this year by allegedly holding shares in CS Loxinfo, which operates a state concession or is a contract partner of a state enterprise. That would be a violation of Article 265 (2), resulting in him being disqualified as an MP as per Article 106 (6), and disqualified as PM as per Article 171. Ruengkrai also suggested that the EC check whether an 8-rai house worth over Bt200 million was included in the assets declaration that Somchai filed with the National Counter Corruption Commission. "The house where Somchai was when he received the Royal command was not declared as part of his assets. He might have transferred it to another person's name. Could it be a case of asset concealment?" he posed. Ruengkrai denied that his crusade to check politicians in the government were intended as political harassment. "I carry out my duty without bias towards any politician," he said. He said he withdrew his complaint for investigation against former deputy prime minister Surapong Suebwonglee because he was no longer in office. He said he was ready to be probed over allegation of abuse of authority for illegally checking the assets of others. "I demand the probe be open to the public and the media. I have been waiting for them to come and check me for long," he said. Election Commission (EC) member Sodsri Sattayatham said the EC would today decide whether to appoint a panel to probe the allegation that Somchai had violated the Constitution. She said she would prefer that the EC appoint a special panel instead of using the existing panel, that had been appointed following a complaint by Supachai Chaisamut to check the qualifications of MPs and Senators. "This panel has to probe hundreds of MPs and senators already," she said. Quote
