PRIME Minister’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana refuted claims yesterday that the government is trying to preserve its power via a mechanism to assist transition to a new administration – but insisted that the country should be under “extraordinary rule” for three to five years.

A Cabinet proposal on the new charter to the Constitution Drafting Commission unveiled on Thursday included a special set of rules for the transitional period in a bid to avoid political turmoil.

Suwapan said the recommendation stemmed from concern that the country would face another deep divide after an election, which could lead it to being a “failed state”. Thus, the “special power” was crucial – as the administration would not be able to go on if there was more political unrest.

However, the powers-that-be, as well as the CDC, would have to listen to the people before they decide on anything, the minister said.

Pheu Thai Party secretary- general Phumtham Wechayachai said democracy lovers would never trust such a special mechanism.

“In fact, democracy has never faced an impasse since it, itself, is the process to solve a political crisis,” he said.

The political crisis which led to the military coup in 2014 was created by a group of people who have no faith in democracy, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that Cabinet was concerned about the crisis the country had gone through before the May 22 coup. So, it recommended that the CDC find a solution to those problems.

CDC may not accept proposal

However, it was not certain that such unrest would reoccur. So, Cabinet suggested that the constitution be written in two versions, with the first one serving only during the transitional period, but they did not set out how long it should be in effect for, Wissanu said.

If the Cabinet wished there was a “special body”, it would have recommended one, he added.

“But they did not have any idea of what the solution should be, so they will leave that for the CDC to think about. Maybe, drafters might not even consider the proposal. It is up to them,” the deputy PM said.

CDC spokesman Udom Rathamarit stressed yesterday that drafters may or may not follow the recommendation. He noted that it was not an “order” and drafters could weigh it on their own judgement on whether to write the charter accordingly.

Meanwhile, red-shirt Weng Tojirakarn and Democrat Nipit Intrasombat warned that people might not give a green light to such a proposal and that the powers-that-be should think hard about retaining power.

Weng said: “The move is like the National Council |for Peace and Order is |naked before us, saying that it wants to stay on – with no shame.”

He asked: “Exactly how long would the ‘transition period’ be?” then added that the extraordinary version would be like the temporary charter we already have.

“You really do not have to worry about any ‘unrest’ or ‘chaos’ because at least it is never from us,” Weng said, addressing the NCPO.

However Sathit Wongnongtoey, a leader of People’s Democratic Reform Committee, said the idea was interesting and appropriate. The country had not gone through critical times with the old-power wanting to return to its throne and seeking every opportunity to create chaos. So, he expressed support for the proposal.

In a related development, the CDC was reviewing comments from all parties about the new draft.

It has resolved that it will rewrite clauses about rights and liberties, as requested by many, and said they would

state clearly what rights people have, including clauses on human dignity, CDC spokesman Udom said yesterday. Previously, these matters were stated vaguely in a chapter on the state’s duties.