• 
• 

Published on August 6, 2007

The move came after some companies and government agencies filed complaints in late July urging Meechai to probe the alleged meddling in state agencies' affairs by committees, despite not having the power to do so.

A frustrated Meechai raised the issue of the allegations at the NLA meeting on Wednesday.

Meechai also instructed NLA whips to draw up measures to prevent such allegations and protect the honour and integrity of the NLA. He said the whip should not appoint committee members with vested interests and people who are prone to corruption.

One of the complaints alleged that one of the NLA standing committees sought leniency from the Ninth Region Police Commissioner not to arrest illegal van operators on six van routes in the four southern provinces. 

Meechai admitted that he had received three complaints accusing NLA committees of wrongdoing but there was no evidence.

Meechai said he had warned NLA members that they do not have the right to interfere with the functioning of state officials in any agencies.

NLA member Wallop Tangkananurak admitted that some NLA committees had abused their power by meddling in government agencies' affairs.

Wallop said the NLA committees could only scrutinise the allegations and forward the results of their investigation to the NLA and the Cabinet.

Prapasri Osathanon

The Nation