Thai Anti-Graft Body Works Without Agenda Or Bias: NACC's Methee

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Anti-graft body works without agenda or bias: NACC's Methee

Methee Krongkaew, one of nine members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), insists that the agency has performed its tasks in a straightforward manner, without any hidden agenda or bias. He says he is not concerned about threats to amend the Constitution so as to dissolve the agency. The following are excerpts of his interview with The Nation News Agency's Techawat Sukharak.

Please tell us how the NACC operates in the current political situation.

We operate the same way in every situation. We rely on our officials [to collect information]; that is not the commissioners' job. Sometimes our officials cannot get complete information, and sometimes they consult with us about what additional information we need. The commission's duty is to examine the information. Our subcommittees make decisions based on the information, and the commission makes final rulings [on those decisions] within 30 days. In some cases, we need additional information. The NACC is not influenced by politics; we do our duty independently from politics. We get both praise and rebukes, but we don't care much. We just want to get it right; nobody can pressure us.

How will the NACC deal with its huge case backlog?

There are now about 8,000 uncompleted cases. There are more than 1,000 new cases a year, and we complete about 500 of them. But there aren't many big cases, which can be difficult in terms of gathering all the information. On small cases, only a few officials are assigned to investigate. Assistance from other state agencies is also sought in some cases. We want to acquire new technology to help with investigations. Certain kinds of computer software are helpful in examining financial reports [filed by political office-holders, as required by law].

Independent organisations have become targets of attacks by supporters of political parties. Does this worry the NACC?

Personally, I am not affected, although I am aware some people are dissatisfied. During the government of Samak Sundaravej, the NACC was continuously attacked. The pressure was intense. But we proved ourselves by working straightforwardly, without any hidden agenda or bias.

The Pheu Thai Party plans to amend the Constitution to remove clauses relating to independent organisations, including the NACC, viewing such bodies as an unwanted legacy of the 2006 coup.

It's up to the Pheu Thai Party whether they want to disband the NACC. If they do, I'll go back to teaching. If they don't, I'll continue working for the NACC. To disband the independent agencies, they just have to amend Article 309 of the Constitution.

Will the recent political changes affect the NACC's investigation of the dispersal of red-shirt protesters in 2009 and 2010 under the Democrat-led government?

We are investigating the cases based on information collected by our officials. There are many incidents involved. NACC officials have interviewed people from all the parties involved. We will announce our findings when we complete the job. The fact that the Pheu Thai Party is now in government has no impact on the investigation.

What progress has been made on the NACC's transparency index?

It's just a study aimed at measuring transparency at state agencies. Not all agencies are assessed in the pilot project. The results of the assessment will be ready in two months. It will serve as base-line information for use in the future, to allow for a more scientific study of corruption in this country. At present, we tend to gauge corruption based on emotions. The research results will be disclosed at the end of this year.

What are the most urgent problems faced by the NACC?

Shortages of staff and money. Tackling a large number of cases requires a large number of people. The NACC must be allowed to increase its workforce.

-- The Nation 2011-09-20

[OzMick]

The NACC is an inconvenience to the aspirations of many politicians. If they can't legislate it away, they will starve it of funds.

OTOH with a 16 year backlog, chances are the statute of limitations will save the day.