Lack of accountability ‘could hinder graft fight’

[webfact]

Lack of accountability ‘could hinder graft fight’

By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION

 

Pramon Sutivong, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, joins representatives from the public and private sectors at the “New Government: Old Corruption” event yesterday, marking National Anti-Corruption Day.

 

BANGKOK: -- WHILE THE junta government has widely promoted its anti-corruption measures, its lack of accountability to the public, as well as an “unmodernised” bureaucracy, could hinder efforts to stop graft, a forum heard yesterday.

More than 300 governmental officers have been shifted and around 80 punished directly by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha under Article 44 of the interim charter, the forum heard. But while the interim charter itself was defunct, Prayut’s absolute power still remained under the permanent charter.

 

Prasong Lertratanawisute, director of investigative news agency Isra, told the anti-graft forum that the crackdown on corruption had focused on civilians rather than the military.

 

 

“This government is hyped on eradicating corruption. Yet, only little progress has been seen on military-related cases, from Rajabhakti Park to the GT200 scandal,” Prasong said, referring to controversies over two billion-baht military procurement deals. 

 

“They set up probing committees and the result either comes out clear or is really slow to come,” he said.

 

The forum, titled “New Government: Old Corruption”, was organised by the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand to mark national anti-corruption day.

 

Charter Drafter Patara Kampitak, who shared a platform at the forum, however, argued that the use of Article 44 may not deal with graft in a sustainable manner, but it was meant to create examples on what fates corrupt officers might face.

 

The current charter also includes mechanisms that will prevent corrupt politicians from re-entering the political arena, as well as placing sanctions on a future parliament should it ever pass a budget or policy plan with hidden benefits for certain people, Patara said.

 

Prin Panichapak, a board member of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, said that while the government has lined up legal instruments to cope with corruption, these more complicated rules might actually attract more cases of graft than simpler rules.

 

 

For instance, a foreign company seeking approvals has to go back and forth between the Commerce Ministry and the Board of Investment. The more regulations required, the more the potential tendency for companies to bribe authorities or take other illegal action to facilitate their aims, Prin said.

 

“Civil servants themselves even complain that outdated systems in bureaucracy obstruct efficiency,” Prin said. “In this case, we may take India as an example, where the government is cooperating with the private sector in fluidising technology to help combat graft.”

 

He suggested that Thailand should do more at a global level, such as joining the World Chamber of Commerce, where the Kingdom could demonstrate its trade and economic transparency under international scrutiny.

 

Banyong Pongpanich, CEO at Kiatnakin Bank, said that Thailand’s widely-used discourse on morality may not be the most effective tool to cope with corruption.

 

While one of Prayut-promoted “12 moralities” says that one must take into account others’ benefits before themselves, Banyong said that this separation of public benefit and one’s own benefit may not help when a person falls into dire need and committing graft is the only solution.

 

He said that there should be more awareness of the link between public and personal benefits as well as the damaging results of corruption on the system and a wrongdoer’s own life.

 

Prasong suggested that transparency is the key to cope effectively with all sides. For instance, revealing information to the public can clarify what is going on in the bureaucracy. 

 

The news agency director also suggested that priority should be put on matters related to public financial contributions to the state, such as procurement, the tax system and the budget. Information about justice-related processes, especially in graft-related cases, should be made public at the earliest opportunity, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30325987

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-09-07

[tracker1]

Prasong Lertratanawisute, director of investigative news agency Isra, told the anti-graft forum that the crackdown on corruption had focused on civilians rather than the military. Wonder if that might explain the 200 to 300% increase in corruption stated the other day ?

[Samui Bodoh]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Prin Panichapak, a board member of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, said that while the government has lined up legal instruments to cope with corruption, these more complicated rules might actually attract more cases of graft than simpler rules.

For instance, a foreign company seeking approvals has to go back and forth between the Commerce Ministry and the Board of Investment. The more regulations required, the more the potential tendency for companies to bribe authorities or take other illegal action to facilitate their aims, Prin said.

 

There is a great deal of truth in the above statement. The more complex the process is means the more opportunities there are to fiddle with the process.

 

One of the most effective practices of other countries has been to examine procedures and practices to find out where there is a possibility of corruption and adapt their systems to remove or reduce it. It won't solve everything as there is always a 'human' element, but it can assist in solving the problem(s).

 

In the end though, the best actions to reduce and/'or eradicate corruption are a "Sunshine" policy and a free press.

 

 

 

[Chris Lawrence]

Sounds as though they have been reading TV

 

When is article 44 extinguished? Once elected it should not be in place to protect decisions for the state. Ask YL, one must be accountable.

 

Have they changed the law so the nephew contract can proceed? without a court case?

 

Democracy has to start somewhere; good on em for making a stand. But unfortunately they look like a bunch of women that are say 'no, you can't have your porridge tonight.'

[YetAnother]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that there should be more awareness of the link between public and personal benefits as well as the damaging results of corruption on the system and a wrongdoer’s own life.

amounts to "get over your own self-centeredness";  that very self-centeredness prevents thais from being capable of doing that

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

“New Government: Old Corruption”

Daring presentation.

How about a political platform to promote implementation?

[sandemara]

On 7/9/2560 at 4:45 AM, webfact said:

“New Government: Old Corruption”

Not much else needs be said.

[yellowboat]

On 9/7/2017 at 5:45 AM, webfact said:

Yet, only little progress has been seen on military-related cases

Wow, speechless.