Shameful display of self-interest<\/p>\n
The outrage expressed by dissident members of the New
\nAspiration Party following the latest cabinet reshuffle was not
\nunexpected. On the contrary, what would have been surprising was
\nif these honorable representatives of the people had behaved
\ncorrectly and exercised restraint by keeping their views to
\nthemselves.<\/p>\n
But this was not to be. Instead these disgruntled MPs thrust
\nthemselves over the accepted line of decency and responsibility
\nby threatening to scuttle the executive decrees on the
\nrestructuring of financial institutions in an effort to force
\ntheir party leader, Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, to
\nresign.<\/p>\n
It is totally unacceptable to make such threats. We need no
\nclearer proof that these people have absolutely no idea of what
\nconstitutes national interest. All we can hope for is that their
\nconsciences kick in and they do not stand by their word.<\/p>\n
It is in the nature of most politicians to want to become
\nministers, especially the more egocentric and ambitious who feel
\nthey are more qualified than their colleagues. And it is in the
\nnature of most political parties to use these posts as rewards
\nfor their members who make the biggest campaign contributions,
\nwho deliver the most parliamentary seats or who generally have
\nthe greatest clout in the parties, regardless of their
\ncompetency, resourcefulness and creativity which should be the
\ncriteria for such appointments.<\/p>\n
The NAP dissidents discontent was the product of broken
\npromises by Gen. Chavalit, and appropriately he did not escape
\nthe outrage. But also to blame was the abovementioned habit of
\noverlooking competency, resourcefulness and creativity. This
\noversight should be amended.<\/p>\n
The prime minister has succeeded in attracting a handful of
\nrespectable figures to the Cabinet in the form of Kosit
\nPanpiemras and Maruey Phadoongsidhi, who have served as finance
\nminister and deputy finance minister respectively in the past.
\nThis belated cabinet shake up will give Gen. Chavalit what he
\ndesires most, a little longer in office.<\/p>\n
But whether the political gamble, probably his last, can
\nrestore the confidence of the public and, more importantly, the
\ninternational financial community in the Thai economy and his
\nadministration depends very much on his conduct, on how the new
\neconomic team performs and on the extent of any political
\ninterference in the teams operations.<\/p>\n
-- Bangkok Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shameful-display-of-self-interest-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }