The NLA voted 217-4 in favour of the bill, with four abstentions.

The law vetting committee would scrutinise the bill before tabling before the NLA for the second and third readings within 45 days.

The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) has given the Ombudsman an advisory role on state officials’ performances. If they fail to comply with the Ombudsman’s advice, they could face penalties imposed against them.

The change in the role of the Ombudsman could be interpreted as a reconstitution of the Office, which would not be fair to present members and could violate the Constitution, the NLA meeting observed.

CDC chief Meechai Ruchupan, however, viewed it differently. He told the NLA meeting that the reset of the Ombudsman would not violate the charter, but allowing the present members to remain in their positions would.

But it’s up to the NLA to make a decision and forward the contentious points to the Constitutional Court to rule on later.

Meechai insisted that the CDC had treated all the independent agencies fairly, saying it was not biased against any of them.

To reform the country, what should be ended, must be ended, he said.