Anutin” said “Bhumjaithai” abstained from voting to accept the draft referendum bill because they wanted to listen to both houses first, insisting that it would not affect the relationship of the coalition parties, but only to protect things that could be dangerous to the country.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, as leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, explained the party’s reason for abstaining from voting on the draft referendum bill, saying that the Bhumjaithai Party believes that this is an important matter that requires listening to all parties and using it on important issues, as holding a referendum is something that must be used on important issues. Since the House of Representatives sees one thing and the Senate sees another, he believes that it would be good for both houses to discuss and set up a joint committee. Therefore, he must reserve his position on this matter in order to have the opportunity to listen to both sides.
Mr. Anutin added that abstaining from voti
ng does not mean disagreeing or going against anyone, but we want to listen in order to participate, which the Bhumjaithai Party can set up a committee in proportion. When asked if the Bhumjaithai Party’s abstention from the referendum, which seemed to be a vote against the coalition parties, would affect the work together, Mr. Anutin said it did not matter. This was not a matter of government policy or work, but a matter of the House of Representatives, which must be separated. It is a matter of the legislative branch, not the executive branch. Therefore, this is not a vote against the government.
‘We are not robots. Every MP has his own thoughts. We cannot order them to turn left, turn right, turn back without letting them express their opinions.’
When asked if there was concern that such a vote would affect the relationship of the coalition parties, Mr. Anutin said that there was none. As a coalition government, we must be firm, as I have said about the referendum, which had different opinions. The Bhumj
aithai Party did not oppose or reject it, but abstained and then set up a joint committee. For the Bhumjaithai Party, regarding the referendum, we must have protection that will create confidence because the matter that requires a referendum is an important matter. Therefore, we must be confident that we have protected anything that could be dangerous to the country.
Source: Thai News Agency