Anutin Rejects Claims Government Controls Parliament Committees
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul denied opposition claims that the government is controlling parliament after House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha issued regulations requiring committee approval for summoning witnesses. Anutin said he does not recognize the term "money swallowing" and insisted the government operates under the constitution with public mandate. He also dismissed any link to a summons from People's Party MP Rangsiman Rome regarding local election corruption.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul pushed back against accusations the government is "swallowing" parliament after House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha issued regulations tightening control over 35 parliamentary committees' authority to summon individuals, requiring committee meeting approval. Critics charged the government had effectively taken over parliament. Asked whether committees need a meeting resolution or can use the chair's authority to summon people, Anutin said laws and regulations under the constitution already exist. On whether cabinet ministers or government officials would comply if summoned, he reiterated they would act under the law and constitution. When questioned about the "money swallowing" allegation, Anutin said he does not know the term: "We do our duty, there is no swallowing anything. We perform duties under the constitution with public trust to administer the country." Asked if the speaker's move related to People's Party MP Rangsiman Rome summoning him over local election corruption, Anutin replied only "not related." When pressed about reportedly calling politics a negative obstacle to governance yesterday, he countered: "When did I say that? I didn't say that. I only said politics must improve."
