Khunying Jaruwan Reinstated As Auditor General

[Highwayman]

Jaruwan reinstated as auditor general

Published on Feb 01 , 2006 The Nation

The State Audit Commission (SAC) has reinstated KhunyingJaruvan Maithaka as the auditor-general, saying it followed the advice of His Majesty the King.

After the SAC made the announcement of the reinstatement on Wednesday, Jaruvan thanked His Majesty and vowed to carry out her duty to the best.

SAC chairman Norachai Sripimol said the SAC voted unanimously to reinstate Jaruvan. Despite calls from several groups, the SAC earlier refused to reinstate Jaruvan, citing a ruling by the Constitution Court that her selection process was unconstitutional. But Norachai annnounced on Wednesday that the ruling did not state that Juruvan had to be removed from office and since she had been appointed by a royal command, which had not been void, she should be regarded as still holding her office.

Norachai said the SAC convened a meeting on Tuesday to consider the issue of Jaruvan's status after receiving a letter from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on January 26 and another letter from His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary on January 27, asking it to reinstate Jaruvan. Norachai said the SAC would return due salary and other benefits to Jaruvan as soon as possible. He said the Senate would be informed of the SAC's decision in time for the upper chamber to endorse the decision during its special meeting on February 9 and 10.

Kriangsak Wattanawarangkul, an SAC commissioner, said the SAC was not spurred into action by the letter of Thaksin but had been considering the issue since His Majesty the King made a birthday speech on December 4. Somchai Wiroolhapol, another SAC commissioner, said Jaruvan could resume her work on Monday.

With tears in her eyes, Jaruvan said she won her post back because of His Majesty. She said she would start working by restoring the morality of officials of the Auditor-General's Office.

[Jai Dee]

With tears in her eyes, Jaruvan said she won her post back because of His Majesty. She said she would start working by restoring the morality of officials of the Auditor-General's Office.

Let's all hope that she is empowered to actually accomplish this.

I read this in a TNA bulletin earlier today but forgot to post it... I'm glad someone else did.

[ratcatcher]

With tears in her eyes, Jaruvan said she won her post back because of His Majesty. She said she would start working by restoring the morality of officials of the Auditor-General's Office.

Let's all hope that she is empowered to actually accomplish this.

I read this in a TNA bulletin earlier today but forgot to post it... I'm glad someone else did.

At last! The lady is back. Let us assume that she will be allowed to do her work unhindered as will Porntip Rojanasunan of Forensics. Thailand needs these two brave women to stand up to the

eunuchs in the government.

She has maintained a dignity that Thaksin can only envy.

Good luck to her.

Edited February 1, 2006 by ratcatcher

[Maejo Man]

Finally a glimmer of sanity, and hope for the future. Thailand needs people with foresight and honesty if it is to move forward.

Quote of the day......."She has maintained a dignity that Thaksin can only envy."

[Highwayman]

It's been a long while that she has been sidelined for. I seem to remember reading somewhere that she was only on a two(?) year contract so if that is correct, does anyone know how long she has left before her current appointment ends? Hopefully she has her appointment renewed because if so many people were trying to get rid of her then she must have been doing a good job.

[Ricardo]

Finally a glimmer of sanity, and hope for the future. Thailand needs people with foresight and honesty if it is to move forward.

Quote of the day......."She has maintained a dignity that Thaksin can only envy."

Agreed 100% ! She will surely be a great assistance to the government , in achieving their 'stated' aim, of fighting back against corruption.

No wonder DL looked, on the lunch-time TV News, as though he'd swallowed a sour lemon, and refused to talk to the press

[billd766]

That is the best news I have heard about Thailand this year.

Now if she is allowed to carry out her duties unhindered by ANYONE then Thailand will be in for a long overdue spell of good luck.

quote Ricardo

Agreed 100% ! She will surely be a great assistance to the government , in achieving their 'stated' aim, of fighting back against corruption.

I am not so sure that the government will really be on her side helping to fight corruption everywhere which may well be why she was sidelined in the first place.

However it seems as though the King is tcitly on her side which counts a lot more than the government being on her side.

I wish her the best of luck.

[Rinrada]

Good Heavens...a bit of common sense has prevailed. but.....why?

[Maestro]

No wonder DL looked…

I've been wondering about that when I saw it in an earlier post of yours: DL = Dear Leader?

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

Maestro

[Maejo Man]

No wonder DL looked, on the lunch-time TV News, as though he'd swallowed a sour lemon, and refused to talk to the press

Yes Maestro varying forms of title "DL" "FL" "Head Waiter" etc.

Edited February 1, 2006 by Maejo Man

[thailien8]

Second quote of the day: "if so many people were trying to get rid of her then she must have been doing a good job." I think that is the crux of the matter. More power to you, Khunying Jaruwan. Thailand desperately needs more people like you to slow down the runaway corruption. BTW, I'm glad to see her website, www.corruptionwatch.net back up again tonight, tho who knows for how long?

[Ricardo]

But what does 'FL' stand for ?

[Misplaced]

The best news i've heard in a long time from Los. Lets hope she discovered and exposed more corruptions.

Target ...Mr Toxin...??????

"down goes toxin, down goes toxin"....as Howard cosell once said

[Jai Dee]

Senators Express Agreement with Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka's Reinstatement

Senators expressed agreement with the Auditor-general Office’s return of the auditor-general position to Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka (จารุวรรณ เมณฑกา).

Buriram senator Colonel Surapong Painuan (สุรพงศ์ ไผ่นวล) said that the return of the position to Khunying Jaruvan will solve all problems and will follow His Majesty the King’s endorsement, adding that the Constitution Court’s rule did not cover all matters.

Sakon Nakhon (สกลนคร) senator Winyu Ularnkul (วิญญู อุฬารกุล) congratulated Thai people for their leader’s recognition of His Majesty the King’s authority by ending the crisis. He observed, however, that currently, there have been attempts to solve problems related to agencies tasked with monitoring corruption, such as the Auditor-General Office and the National Counter Corruption Commission .

Meanwhile, Bangkok Senator Seri Suwanpanon (เสรี สุวรรณภานนท์) urged all parties to work their best in their positions, adding that the Auditor-General Office should extend Khunying Jaruvan’s term for another five years, as she has not worked in the position for the last few years.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 Febuary 2006

[rcav8r]

No wonder DL looked, on the lunch-time TV News, as though he'd swallowed a sour lemon, and refused to talk to the press

Yes Maestro varying forms of title "DL" "FL" "Head Waiter" etc.

Not forgetting DF = Der Fuehrer of course ...........

[Ricardo]

because he's Fuehr-ious about her re-instatement , perhaps ?

[roamer]

A battle of wills, with the King refusing to accept other proposed candidates.

Long live His Majesty.

[Jai Dee]

Warm return for graftbuster Jaruvan

A beaming Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka, right, accepts roses from well-wishers on her first day back to resume her duties as auditor-general.

Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka returned to resume her tenure as auditor-general yesterday, to the joy of her supporters and defenders. She immediately vowed to raise the country’s auditing standards.

Making a surprising, sarcastic remark, she also redefined how she now saw her role: as a tool of the executive branch.

After nearly 18 months of being prevented from exercising her scrutiny of government spending due to a constitutional impasse, a jubilant Khunying Jaruvan greeted legions of waiting well-wishers as she walked up the steps of the Auditor-General Office (OAG) a few minutes before 9am.

Last week, the State Audit Commission (SAC) unanimously restored Khunying Jaruvan to her post by acknowledging that her royal appointment was valid. The surprise decision resolved a legal deadlock which began in July 2004.

Members of the SAC minority that fought for her return, and friends from King Prajadhipok Institute, were among the crowd of wellwishers at the OAG building to welcome her back to work. A large group of OAG staff were present. They showered Khunying Jaruvan with flowers and greeting cards. Khunying Jaruvan joked and laughed with them and embraced several close friends and colleagues along the way to her office.

In her first act after reaching her office on the third floor, Khunying Jaruvan knelt to pay respect to an image of His Majesty the King. She also sat behind her desk and allowed photographers to snap away to their hearts’ content.

Khunying Jaruvan endured many forms of pressure to force her to give up her fight to remain in her job, including being locked out of her office.

Apparently gratified that her steadfast conviction in her royal mandate has been proven right, Khunying Jaruvan never stopped smiling. However, she refused to gloat over her triumphant return and played down any perception that she is in conflict with the government.

“I have no problems with the government,” she announced. “It is not like that at all.”

Khunying Jaruvan also said that she did not feel uncomfortable about resuming her duties and that she would do her best to set a higher standard for the OAG by bringing wisdom to financial management.

“I am actually more of a tool for the government,” she said. “I want to stress clearly that we are not on opposite sides.” Khunying Jaruvan then told the media to accurately portray the news of her return and her perception of her job.

“It is vital that news reports are accurate, so that we can all live happily in this country,” she said to the bemusement of some reporters. “Therefore, I see my role as a tool of the executive branch, that takes care of all money matters instead of finding fault,” she said. The meaning of the quip became clear as she explained further.

“Thailand is the best place in the world to live in. It is not like any other country,” she said. “Therefore, we must all try to take care of the country’s expenditures, to ensure that they are strictly in accordance with the national policy on financial prudence.”

According to Patanan Wasachaiwat, an officer at the OAG, Khunying Jaruvan’s return is beneficial for the organization, regardlessly of whether people like her.

“Like in all organizations, Khunying [Jaruvan] has friends and enemies within the OAG,” she explained.

“The acting auditor-general has been relatively hesitant [to take action]. The workflow will move along much more quickly now.”

Appointed in December 2001 as the first auditor-general under the 1997 Constitution, Khunying Jaruvan has always asserted that her right to continue in her job is by royal mandate. Her five-year term ends next year.

Source: Thaiday - 8 February 2006 15:06