Bangkok: Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, addressed criticism regarding his request for the opposition to remove outsiders' names from the no-confidence motion against the government. He emphasized that his actions were not influenced by bias but were strictly in accordance with parliamentary rules and regulations. Wan Noor assured that his responsibility was to ensure that no issues arose during the meeting.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor clarified that the inclusion of outsiders' names in motions is not permissible as they cannot present their case in parliament. He highlighted that his actions were aligned with established practices and legal precedents. As an MP with over 40 years of experience, he has always adhered to the principle that a motion should not include names of individuals not present to defend themselves, ensuring that the integrity of parliamentary debate is maintained.
Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor further explained that referencing an outsider in a motion is more serious than mentioning them verbally during a debate. He stressed that if an outsider's name is included in a motion, it exposes the parliament to potential lawsuits. However, if their name is not included, debates can proceed without such risks. He cited a Constitutional Court ruling that mandates the president of the parliament to manage the agenda and oversee parliamentary operations effectively.
Drawing from past examples, Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor mentioned the 2002 incident when Mr. Uthai Pimchaichon, then Speaker of the House, requested Mr. Chuan Leekpai, the Leader of the Opposition, to amend a motion. Despite disagreeing, Mr. Chuan complied for the sake of cooperation, illustrating a precedent for amending motions in similar contexts.
Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor reiterated his commitment to facilitating productive debates rather than protests. "We want to see a debate, not a protest. I will do as the chairman does because it is his duty to oversee the meeting. If there is a problem, the chairman must not let it happen," he stated, reaffirming his role in ensuring smooth parliamentary proceedings.