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| Senator Petitions Poll Panel on Qualification of New PM |
| UPDATE : 29 September 2008 |
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The senator, who initiated a legal move to question former PM Samak Sundaravej's legitimacy leading to his demise, has already filed another complaint with the election watchdog on the qualification of newly-appointed Premier Somchai Wongsawat.
Senator Reangkrai Leekitwattana has filed a complaint with the Election Commission, asking for an investigation into the qualifications of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who, he claimed, holds shares in private companies that received state concessions.
Reangkrai said that Somchai had submitted a financial statement to the National Counter Corruption Commission while serving in the Samak Sundaravej government, attesting that he received dividends amounting to 20,000 baht from CS LoxInfo, whose business is to provide varied services, including ads in telephone directories.
CS Loxinfo has a 22-year government concession to provide television transponder services via satellite and internet via satellite, which is due to expire on August 8, 2016.
He stated that Somchai could have violated Article 265 and 48 of the Constitution, which prohibits a minister or Member of Parliament from holding interests in media and telecom businesses, especially with firms holding state concessions.
Reangkrai added that he will collect signatures from a tenth of the Upper House members to petition the Constitution Court on the issue.
The senator also questions the list of assets that Somchai has filed with the National Counter Corruption Commission, in which he reportedly failed to mention a 200-million-baht house in the Chaengwattana District of Bangkok, an action which might be construed as asset concealment.
Reangkrai also denied claims that he has been targeting the government ministers out of personal vengeance, while affirming that he has merely been doing his job.
And, when asked about his previous complaint against former Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Suebwonglee for his alleged holding of more than five per cent shares in private companies, he said that the issue has been dropped as Surapong is no longer a government minister.
Reporters asked Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat this morning if he is worried about the complaint filed by Senator Reangkrai. The PM says he is not concerned but refused to comment on the charge filed against him. He says he'll let the judicial process run its course on this issue.
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