PM open to ideas on security bill

PM Surayud Chulanont

The government is open to suggestions for the revision of a draft bill on internal security in order to make it acceptable to parties concerned, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said yesterday.

"I have no intention of enacting legislation deemed unacceptable by the public, and my government always welcomes ideas for the improvement of the draft," he said.

Surayud spoke in reaction to critical comments by academics and human-rights activists who have voiced concern about power vested in the director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).

He said the bill was not designed to give runaway power to the military as feared and that critics could offer alternate provisions at every step of the legislative process.

The bill was being vetted by the Council of State. Later it will be reviewed by the Cabinet before deliberation by the National Legislative Assembly, he said, noting that draft provisions could be revised along the way.

He said his government deemed it necessary to push for the passage of the bill after revising it by factoring in concerns raised by relevant parties. Changing circumstances, such as the insurgency in the South, prompted the revamp of internal security, he said.

"Some people are concerned that the new legislation may be a double-edged sword allowing the military to override the elected government, but I think everything has good and bad consequences depending on the individuals tasked with enforcing the law," he said.