PM Abhisit Halts Transfer Of Top Official

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POLITICS

PM halts transfer of top official

By Piyanart Srivalo,

Jeeraphong Prasertpholkrang

The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday slammed the brakes on Wongsak Sawasdiphanich's snap transfer to Lamphun coming immediately after he was reinstated as director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration.

The Interior Ministry had ordered Wongsak, who was fighting his appointment as inspector-general, to serve as the governor of Lamphun.

Abhisit cited a coming royal decree endorsing Wongsak's return to his previous post for his decision.

As a result, the Cabinet did not approve the ministry's order regarding Wongsak's transfer as well as two related orders - one swapping Department of Provincial Administration chief Mongkhol Surasajja to Wongsak's post as inspector-general, and the other moving Surachai Khan-asa from the Department of Community Development to take the helm at the Department of Provincial Administration.

Abhisit's decision was reportedly based on a technical reason. The Council of State had recommended against approving the three orders at the same time, as the first and second have not yet been endorsed by a royal decree and the third, proposed in jump-the-gun style, could be deemed inappropriate.

The transfer saga involving Wongsak, originally to the Department of Provincial Admin-istration's top post, resulted from a tug of war between the political leadership and senior ministry staff. The Interior Ministry is under the supervision of the Bhum Jai Thai Party, which wanted its man heading the powerful Department of Provincial Administration, which overlooks all provincial governors, to benefit it both before the House dissolution on May 10 and prior to the July 3 poll.

Citing Wongsak's lack of qualifications and seniority as well as an ongoing probe, senior ministry officials had been campaigning against his appointment to the Department of Provincial Administration. The conflict has been fuelled reportedly by Wongsak's close connection with Pheu Thai prime minister candidate Yingluck Shinawatra. Since she is former premier Thaksin's sister, she is seen as a political archrival of Bhum Jai Thai, both during the pre-House dissolution period and currently during the lead-up to the election.

During a one-hour discussion in the Cabinet meeting, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweera-kul, who is the Bhum Jai Thai Party leader, disputed the Council of State's recommendation and proposed approving the first and second orders while putting the third on hold. But Abhisit said the first two orders must be resolved first as the issue had gone beyond a legal deadline. Chaovarat and all Bhum Jai Thai ministers walked out of the room after the Cabinet agreed not to approve all three orders.

Wongsak, who retires in October, was seen walking around near Government House appearing tense, apparently in anticipation of the Cabinet's approval of his reinstatement. He disappeared after learning that the decision was not in his favour.

Deputy Government Spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said Wongsak's return to the Department of Provincial Administration would be "obstructive" to a ministry investigation into a corruption scandal involving the computer system which runs the smart identity card project, in which he was also implicated.

Later at the Democrat Party's head office, Abhisit said Wongsak's reinstatement was in line with the Civil Service ethics committee's recommendation.

Abhisit said all Cabinet decisions on transfer of senior officials, including all three related transfers, would be submitted to the Election Commission under normal procedures for a caretaker government.

EC member Praphan Naikovit said he had not received anything from the Cabinet regarding the transfers.

-- The Nation 2011-06-15

[wackysleet]

Surely the proper procedure to follow when someone is thought to be involved in corruption or any other kind of investigation into wrongdoing is to suspend them pending further enquiries.