Corruption Probes: Ministers Won't Point The Finger

[Jai Dee]

CORRUPTION PROBES

Ministers 'won't point the finger'

AEC complains that it can't do its job if people in power remain silent

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) is preparing to urge the government and the Council for National Security (CNS) to take action against ministers and government officers who refuse to cooperate with the AEC, the agency spokesman said yesterday.

"It is the government's absolute power to remove executives without saying what for, to ensure consistency with political policies. If executives can't work in line with the policies, the government has to change them, just as with ministers," Sak Korsaengruang said during an interview with The Nation.

Sak said the AEC would meet Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and CNS chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin on Monday to inform them about problems in the AEC's work.

He said the main problem the AEC was facing was a lack of cooperation from government agencies, especially when it needed complaints filed by wronged agencies against wrongdoers unearthed by the AEC's investigation panel.

Many government officials, including ministers, are reluctant to say there were irregularities or corruption under the last government as they also held positions during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, he said.

Making allegations against the last government would be admitting they had done wrong, he said.

"We can't be held back by the agencies' reluctance as we have only one year's term, and people are pressing us for progress," he said.

He said the government and the CNS were obliged to take action against corrupt politicians and officers in the previous government as it had been a major justification for the coup on September 19.

"The government declared its policies, a pledge to the Thai people. If it can't pursue those policies, what is it to do? If its subordinates can't pursue those policies, what is it to do with them?" he asked.

He said it was the AEC's duty to ask the government and the CNS those questions in the name of the Thai people.

According to the National Counter-Corruption Act, which the AEC's work is based on, the panel needs complaints from wronged agencies to complete its investigation before it files the cases with the attorney-general.

Sak said the panel would comply with the law as it had to make its investigation reports as complete as possible to avoid loopholes when the cases went to court.

Sak cited two of the cases: the land purchase by Thaksin's wife Khunying Pojaman and the rubber-sapling project.

The Bank of Thailand's financial-rescue arm the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) filed a charge against Thaksin and Pojaman over a Bt772-million land purchase, as requested by the AEC but did not specify the names of the wrongdoers as in the AEC's report.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula, former Bank of Thailand governor, had guaranteed Pojaman's land purchase was legal.

Sak said both the Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Ministry and the Office of the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund showed reluctance to file complaints against wrongdoers, including the Thaksin Cabinet and the ministry's officers, by saying they had not been harmed, despite irregularities in last government's rubber-seedling project, claiming no payment relating to the process had been made.

However, Sak's was speaking before the Rubber Plantation Aid Fund finally filed a complaint yesterday.

"We are not telling the government and the CNS what to do, but we will give examples showing that the agencies which reshuffle their executives have more efficient and effective results," he said.

He mentioned the progress in the investigation of irregularities relating to Suvarnabhumi Airport after the change in the executive board of the Airports of Thailand, where CNS assistant secretary Saprang Kalayanamitr is now chairman.

Sak said the AEC had been exercising its full legal powers under the Anti-Money Laundering Act but he could not reveal details.

He said it would be able to use those powers to seize or freeze assets when it finished its investigations and the cases were ready to go to court.

The AEC can seize or freeze assets only temporarily. If it cannot prove the allegations in time, the suspects can ask the court to release the assets.

However, Sak expects the AEC to be able to finish its investigations into some cases and send them to the attorney-general in the next few months.

Nevertheless, the government and the CNS should have prepared a solid plan and formed an agency to deal with corruption and to prevent corruption in the future, as the AEC can only deal with corruption in the past, he said.

He said it was time the government put the fight against corruption on the national agenda.

Source: The Nation - 27 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

Bangkok Governor Apirak gives testimony to AEC on BMA’s firefighter truck procurement

Yesterday, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayothin travelled to the office of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to give testimony on the firefighter truck procurement case. On his way out of the AEC, Mr Apirak refused to speak to reporters.

The ACE committee responsible for the fire truck procurement case is chaired by Prasert Boonsri (ประเสริฐ บุญศรี). Mr Apirak is required to provide details of the 6.7 million baht procurement of firefighter trucks and the contract made between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the company which sold the trucks to BMA. Mr Apirak had earlier halted the procurement process after he had found irregularities in the purchasing process.

The firefighter truck procurement took place when Samak Suntharawet (สมัคร สุนทรเวช) was Bangkok governor. Reports have stated that various ministers from the previous administration were linked to the procurement graft case.

AEC estimated that the graft case had cost the nation an estimated 2 billion baht.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 January 2007

[hammered]

Surely if officials wont do their job they can be replaced. Ther is no point waiting until the half yearly reshuffle. Similarly ministers can be replaced. The cases need to be in court where they can then be ruled on to ascertain the guilt or innocence of those accused. This is one area where the government do need to get tougher.

[chownah]

"It is the government's absolute power to remove executives without saying what for, to ensure consistency with political policies. If executives can't work in line with the policies, the government has to change them, just as with ministers," Sak Korsaengruang said during an interview with The Nation.

OK kids.....the vocabulary lesson for today is the word "purge".......

[John K]

"It is the government's absolute power to remove executives without saying what for, to ensure consistency with political policies. If executives can't work in line with the policies, the government has to change them, just as with ministers," Sak Korsaengruang said during an interview with The Nation.

OK kids.....the vocabulary lesson for today is the word "purge".......

This is a great development, yes time to clean house. I can hear the sounds of hundreds of paper shredders running through the night now as all of the hidden documents find the blades.

[sriracha john]

He said the main problem the AEC was facing was a lack of cooperation from government agencies, especially when it needed complaints filed by wronged agencies against wrongdoers unearthed by the AEC's investigation panel.

Many government officials, including ministers, are reluctant to say there were irregularities or corruption under the last government as they also held positions during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, he said.

The group of people who held positions during the Thaksin Administration and in need purging is large.

[Mid]

[dogleg]

...but didnt they have proof of Thaksin's Weapons of Mass Corruption before the invasion, err coup??

[Chang_paarp]

In many countries these investigations are set up with powers to coerce witnesses to testify. In English law (inc Au and NZ) there is the Royal Commission, in the US there is the Grand Jury. In the event the witness refuses to testify they are held in contempt and are jailed.

This did lead to the rise in Au or the Alan Bond / Carmen Lawrence defence; " I do not recall." "I can't remember." "I have no recollection of that event." They took some very good drugs after the hearings as they remembered a lot better later.

Oh I forgot we are discussing Thailand. Look at the hard time the EC commissioners spent when they were found guilty.

[wintermute]

A commission set up to examine corruption that can't point fingers at anyone is about as useful as tits on a bull.

[Plus]

They would never find anyone who'd testify against Thaksin and implicate half of his government department in the process. Little guys never step up by themselves in Thailand, they need to find another way to make them talk. They have to make deals with bosses and accept compromises. They'd have to compromise themselves and their comission, too.

[ronw]

IMHO, the main reason why no fingers are being pointed, is because the said fingers are most likely stuck in the same pie.....

[John K]

IMHO, the main reason why no fingers are being pointed, is because the said fingers are most likely stuck in the same pie.....

You are right about the same pie.

Thaksin does a very good job in hiding his paper trail, and he was subtle until about May last year when he decided to un-quit. After that he did not even make any attempts to hide what he was doing. His mouth will be part of his downfall.

Just because there is no paper trail does not mean he is innocent, all it means is he hid his paper trail. So the people that are looking to bring him to justice need to alter their strategy and focus on events and let Thaksin produce paper that says otherwise. Certainly the originals of that paper will be flying out of Thaksin printer as he is on his way to his hearing.

Hunting paper is Thaksin’s game and it’s time to change the rules.

[Mid]

un-quit

i'm sorry

carry on

[John K]

un-quit

i'm sorry

carry on

Agreed.

I guess we need to come up with a dictionary of Thaksin terminology.

Un-quit; noun; End of the laying low hoping things will blow over period.

[Mid]

Corruption ruined the airport, Thais tell poll

Thai News Agency

The Suan Dusit Poll has found that Thais blame corruption more than any other cause for the mess at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

edit to add link

Edited January 28, 2007 by Mid

[sriracha john]

Assets Examination Committee hopes to remove key permanent officials involved in corruption cases

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) will Monday seek to move key permanent officials involved in the 13 corruption cases from their powerful posts to prevent witnesses from reversing their statements in court.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said Sunday that the AEC would hold a meeting with Council for National Security chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin and perhaps also Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

He said the AEC had earlier lodged a complaint with Surayud over the lack of cooperation from some officials who refused to come forward and file complaints with the AEC against former political office holders involved in the scam causing delay in prosecuation.

"Officials under the old power group are still in power. They are directly involved in the cases but have not been transferred out of key posts. They do not cooperate fearing that they may be punished too. The government has to consider if they must be move out of their job so that our work can move forward more efficiently,'' Sak said.

- The Nation

--------------------------------------------

Getter stronger in the repercussions of stalling... but I think they'll need to get even more strict.

[OlRedEyes]

Corruption ruined the airport, Thais tell poll

Thai News Agency

The Suan Dusit Poll has found that Thais blame corruption more than any other cause for the mess at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

edit to add link

Problem is that people (worldwide) only recognise that corruption is a problem if they recieve no benefit.

The size of corruption doesn't matter. The guy taking B100 today to smooth the way will for sure take B1b tomorrow to do the same.

So they may blame others' corruption, but ignore their own. The cycle is unbreakable. Along with prostitution, it is probably the oldest vice, and ingrained in human society.

[Mid]

Problems have Solutions ........................

in this case , it's

Education

[OlRedEyes]

Problems have Solutions ........................

in this case , it's

Education

I don't think education will do anything towards making a person less corrupt. It just raises the stakes. And the method. An educated person will earn more, so the threshold or starting price is only increased.

The only difference I can find is in how far a person is prepared to take it. That is a limit set by his/her basic values and need. Unfortunately the power-hungry are normally those that need the power to fill a void in the ego. By definition these will not be the strongest members of a society. Thus the absolute need for strong checks and balances in a democracy, which usually serve to restrain the corruption a little, maybe.

Edited January 28, 2007 by OlRedEyes

[Tony Clifton]

Problems have Solutions ........................

in this case , it's

Education

Incarceration.

Removed, inactive posts, transfered, are not solutions to end the cycle. The guilty ones can still enjoy the hidden kickbacks received.

[John K]

Problems have Solutions ........................

in this case , it's

Education

I don't think education will do anything towards making a person less corrupt. It just raises the stakes. And the method. An educated person will earn more, so the threshold or starting price is only increased.

The only difference I can find is in how far a person is prepared to take it. That is a limit set by his/her basic values and need. Unfortunately the power-hungry are normally those that need the power to fill a void in the ego. By definition these will not be the strongest members of a society. Thus the absolute need for strong checks and balances in a democracy, which usually serve to restrain the corruption a little, maybe.

Wong side of the coin red, educate the voters and it becomes more difficult for corrupt politicians to get in office. Look at who supports Thaksin and who does not based only on education to see what Mid means.

[Mid]

all well and good ,

locally they could start by teaching that it's ok to think ....................................

innocence / ignorance v's 21st century mass media , no thanxs

[John K]

all well and good ,

locally they could start by teaching that it's ok to think ....................................

innocence / ignorance v's 21st century mass media , no thanxs

Still another good point. It does leave open the question was the no fail policy part of the plan to de-motivate students from thinking. That is one change that would slow down the corrupt politicians from getting into office but it would take years to get up to speed.

[blaze]

Problems have Solutions ........................

in this case , it's

Education

Incarceration.

Removed, inactive posts, transfered, are not solutions to end the cycle. The guilty ones can still enjoy the hidden kickbacks received.

Totally agree Tony. As long as the population thinks there is 'tolerable' corruption and 'intolerable' corruption, and nobody spells out just what the line that separates the two is, nothing will change. Only when the rule of law is applied reliably, ruthlessly and above all, impartially, will there be a change. Before education can play a role, there must be a social consensus that corruption is wrong. Not that some corruption by some people is wrong- but all corruption (as defined by law) by any person will be punished. Either that or change the laws. But this crazy situation where the law permits no corruption and the culture states, "some corruption" attempt to co-exist- then expect more of the same.

Sadly, the education that is would have to occur, is going to have to run smack on into the culture. And I'm not holding my breath.

[Mid]

Sadly, the education that is would have to occur, is going to have to run smack on into the culture. And I'm not holding my breath.

neither am I ,

however the world is getting smaller ...........................................

[blaze]

Problems have Solutions ........................

in this case , it's

Education

I don't think education will do anything towards making a person less corrupt. It just raises the stakes. And the method. An educated person will earn more, so the threshold or starting price is only increased.

The only difference I can find is in how far a person is prepared to take it. That is a limit set by his/her basic values and need. Unfortunately the power-hungry are normally those that need the power to fill a void in the ego. By definition these will not be the strongest members of a society. Thus the absolute need for strong checks and balances in a democracy, which usually serve to restrain the corruption a little, maybe.

Wong side of the coin red, educate the voters and it becomes more difficult for corrupt politicians to get in office. Look at who supports Thaksin and who does not based only on education to see what Mid means.

I guess one could say, look who supports a miltiary dictatorship and who doesn't. Education must be for more than just preventing Taksin from taking power. It must teach the nature and principles underlying the democratic process. It must teach the sanctity of the constitution. It must above all else value the rights of others to disagree. Without calling for a military intervention when the vote doesn't go your way.

[blaze]

Sadly, the education that is would have to occur, is going to have to run smack on into the culture. And I'm not holding my breath.

neither am I ,

however the world is getting smaller ...........................................

I like that, Mid. It says a lot.

[Jai Dee]

Business leaders see corruption increasing

Thai business operators believe that the corruption problem still persists under the interim government that replaced the overthrown Thaksin Shinawatra administration, a poll revealed yesterday.

ABAC Social Innovation of Business and Marketing, a research unit of Assumption University, asked business people and business owners for their views about good governance under previous elected governments and the sufficiency economy philosophy being promoted by the current government.

Almost 85 per cent of respondents said they expected elected governments to have transparent administration, yet only 28.3 per cent said they found past elected administrations to have transparency.

Alleged rampant corruption under the Thaksin government was one of the main reasons cited by the military for staging the coup on September 19 last year. The junta subsequently set up the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to scrutinise controversial schemes and alleged abuse of power by the previous government.

The poll asked about corruption among different levels of officials under the current government and found that about 70 per cent of those surveyed believed that corruption continued among local officials. Almost 65 per cent of respondents said it still existed among lower-ranking officials, while 55.7 per cent said there was still corruption among top-ranking officials. However, only 13.8 per cent said they believed there was corruption among the leading figures in the interim administration.

Asked whether they thought corruption would increase under the current government, more than 66 per cent of respondents said it would increase among local officials, while 10.5 per cent said it would decrease. More than 54 per cent of respondents said they believed corruption would increase among lower-ranking officials and 35.7 per cent said it would increase among top-ranking officials

Only 11.3 per cent of those surveyed said corruption would decline among lower-ranking officials, while 22.6 per cent expected to see a drop among top-ranking officials.

Asked whether they thought corruption by politicians would increase after the next general election or not, almost 37 per cent of respondents said it would increase and only 8.2 per cent expected it to decrease.

Asked about state officials, about 35 per cent of respondents said they believed the corruption would increase at the local level after the election, while 31.7 per cent expected an increase in the lower ranks. About 23 per cent of respondents believed it would increase among top-ranking officials.

More than 72 per cent of the business operators surveyed said they found corruption by authorities a "usual occurrence" and a part of life in running their businesses.

The poll was conducted on 1,639 business operators in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces from January 1-28.

Source: The Nation - 29 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

AEC moves against wayward officials

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) will today seek the transfer of several key bureaucrats who failed to cooperate in taking action against politicians implicated in the 13 corruption cases it is investigating.

The transfers are intended to ensure witnesses do not retract their statements in court.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said the committee would meet Council for National Security (CNS) chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and perhaps Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

The AEC earlier complained to Surayud about lack of cooperation from some state officials who refused to file complaints with the AEC against former political office holders allegedly involved in graft. The committee said this had delayed prosecutions.

The AEC is concerned delays stretching to the general election could see former leaders back in power and witnesses recanting their statements.

"Officials under the old power group are still in their positions. They are directly involved in cases but have not been transferred out of key posts. They do not cooperate fearing they may be punished, too.

"The government must consider their transfer so our work can move forward efficiently,'' Sak said.

An AEC subcommittee investigating graft in a rubber-sapling programme said yesterday that the Office of the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund (ORRAF) failed to lodge a complaint on Friday against any former political office holder.

Chairman Banjerd Singkaneti said the AEC had hoped to commence a panel investigation into the project today but had been forced to delay this because ORRAF had not accused any politician of wrongdoing.

The AEC will push the government to accept anti-corruption policy as a national agenda to reduce the burden on the National Counter Corruption Commission and the AEC.

It will seek a joint news conference with the CNS to report progress of corruption probes.

Meanwhile, an AEC source said it would use "other tax regulations" to force former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's daughter Pinthongta to pay more than Bt2 billion in personal income tax on the sale of Shin Corp shares even though she was in the country for fewer than 180 days.

Authorities earlier suggested Pinthongta could avoid paying tax on the proceeds of her share sales because she resided in Thailand for fewer than 180 days in 2006. Shin Corp was sold to Temasek Holdings of Singapore last year.

It is now believed other regulations can be applied to include Pinthongta's transaction in the tax net.

Source: The Nation - 29 January 2007