It's rule of law versus personality<\/p>\n
BANGKOK: For four months, the Constitution Court has been
\nbiting the bullet under constant pressure from the supporters of
\nPrime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. After some initial reluctance,
\nThaksin finally decided to appear before the court, and when he
\ndid yesterday, thousands of supporters turned out to cheer him.
\nHe said public opinion polls, which showed most Thais wanted him
\nto testify before the court, had influenced him to do so.<\/p>\n
Thaksin is the first Thai leader to defend himself in the
\ncourt. He is popular, there's no doubt of that. He knows how to
\ngive short, sharp quotes for the media and focus his attention on
\nthe have-nots. He gives them hope.<\/p>\n
So, it's little wonder his supporters are hoping that their
\nstrong feeling and mass rallies can influence the court's
\ndecision. Essentially, they are saying if Thaksin is found
\nguilty, the country will go down with him. Meanwhile, the
\ninfluential business community is also putting its weight behind
\nhim.<\/p>\n
Now that both sides have concluded their arguments, the court
\njudges will have ample time to consider the prime minister's
\nshare-transfers. It is expected that they will return a verdict
\nwithin a month on whether to uphold the National Counter
\nCorruption Commission (NCCC)'s decision on Thaksin.<\/p>\n
When the NCCC's Klanarong Chantik took the floor with the
\nprime minister in the court room, it was a moment of truth of
\nsorts: the highest court of the land hearing the country's
\nparamount leader.<\/p>\n
Klanarong took 20 minutes to present his case against the
\nprime minister, whom he accused of asset concealment. An
\nunassuming man, but tough-talking and methodical, he presented
\nhis case professionally and stated his arguments with a crisp and
\nclear voice.<\/p>\n
He wrapped up by saying that he too loves the country,
\nreiterating with a passionate voice that the constitution is the
\nhighest law of the land, which every Thai must abide by.
\nIn contrast, the accused came to the Constitution Court like a
\nstar. He walked in, waved, smiled and shook hands with onlookers
\nwho crowded the narrow street leading to the court. His
\nsupporters handed him garlands and flowers and wished him good
\nluck.<\/p>\n
The prime minister walked through the thick crowd, arriving in
\nthe court room almost 20 minutes late. When Klanarong was allowed
\nto speak, Thaksin's lawyer asked for permission to allow his
\nclient to leave the room. Outside the court, he waved to his
\nsupporters as Klanarong delivered his testimony.<\/p>\n
Then it was Thaksin's turn. In consummate style, he put
\nforward his case in layman's terms, punctured with personal
\nhistory. He played to viewers around the country, making sure
\nthey understood the court proceedings. He shed tears towards the
\nend and then emerged without any trace. Throughout his testimony,
\nhe insisted that he did not conceal his assets.<\/p>\n
He chose his words carefully, saying he had only made \"honest
\nmistakes\". Thaksin wrapped up his presentation by passing the
\nbuck to the court, saying it was up to the judges to decide
\nwhether he should be allowed to carry out the task mandated to
\nhim by the people, or end his reign prematurely.<\/p>\n
A lot rides on what the court decides. In a few weeks we will
\nknow whether Thailand can show the world that it is a country
\nthat adheres to the principles of democracy, that it is a country
\nwith a rule of law based on righteousness, not on personality.
\nThis is the system versus an individual, and it will have far-
\nreaching implications.<\/p>\n
Thailand has come a long way in its efforts to promote good
\ngovernance and transparency. The court's verdict will serve as a
\nbarometer of the maturity of our political system and the quality
\nof its citizens.<\/p>\n
-- The Nation\/Asia News Network<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/its-rule-of-law-versus-personality-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }