Parliament Chief Warns 35 Committees Against Abusing Power
Parliament's House Police Committee chairman warns that some of the 35 parliamentary committees are abusing their authority to pursue political interests and damage individuals, calling for the speaker to establish clear guidelines and prev
The chairman of the House Police Committee, Wachrapong Kuwijitsuwan, a Saraburi MP from the Bhumjaithai Party, announced his support for a proposal by fellow Bhumjaithai list MP Supachai Jaisamut to ask the House Speaker to define clear authority and duties for all 35 parliamentary committees, preventing overlapping work and power conflicts.
Wachraporn flagged problems with current committee operations, saying some committee chairs are not working within their proper remit and are abusing their authority to pursue political interests. He described a pattern of taking media stories and amplifying them, or manufacturing controversies, which has caused severe damage to named individuals and agencies.
He warned committees engaging in such conduct that if they continue to abuse their power, misuse summons authority, or exceed their legal scope and thereby act improperly, affected parties can pursue legal remedies. These include filing criminal charges under Section 157 for improper exercise or neglect of official duties, submitting ethics complaints through the House Speaker, and referring cases to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for investigation.
"I want the House Speaker to set uniform standards for all 35 committees," he said. "Clear authority frameworks will reduce burden on state agencies and citizens called for inquiry, ensure committee power is transparent and lawful, prevent duplication, and stop committees from becoming tools of political destruction."
