NACC will get power to launch graft probes independently

[webfact]

NACC will get power to launch graft probes independently
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will be given the power to independently kick start investigations into graft cases, under the new organic law written by the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC).

 

Currently, the NACC has to wait for others to file complaints before starting an investigation.

 

Chief constitution writer Meechai Ruchupan said the agency would be authorised to handle corruption allegations and complaints directly without having to rely on the police or other investigation agencies.

 

The anti-graft agency will also have the power to order related agencies or agents to probe a graft case on its behalf, Meechai said.

 

The new organic law will boost the agency’s transparency and efficacy, he said, adding that any suggestions on the law was still welcome.

 

Meanwhile, Pramon Sutivong, the chairman of Anti-Corruption Thailand, has said that the organic law should ensure diversity in the commission and make the recruitment as transparent as possible.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30311132

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-03

[candide]

"...the organic law should ensure diversity in the commission and make the recruitment as transparent as possible." 

[robblok]

Seems like a sensible change, what good is an anti corruption agency that can't start its own investigations without being asked first. Giving them a bit more power is good. But the NACC has an really bad track record, not many cases get completed. 

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, robblok said:

Seems like a sensible change, what good is an anti corruption agency that can't start its own investigations without being asked first. Giving them a bit more power is good. But the NACC has an really bad track record, not many cases get completed. 

 

Sensible indeed. But now they must do something about that appalling track record. Very few cases completed and only minor ones at that.

[Foghorn Leghorn]

Outwardly this would appear to be a good move. On the other hand the cynic in me says that the priority selection criteria for the  "independent" corruption probes could be judged on the ability of those being probed to have sufficient financial resources to adequately corrupt the anti-corruption commission.

[candide]

1 hour ago, Foghorn Leghorn said:

Outwardly this would appear to be a good move. On the other hand the cynic in me says that the priority selection criteria for the  "independent" corruption probes could be judged on the ability of those being probed to have sufficient financial resources to adequately corrupt the anti-corruption commission.

From past experience with the NACC, it could also be judged according to the political similarity/dissimilarity between the potential targets and the people who have appointed NACC members.....

[seajae]

we can only hope that they will chase up all sides of politics and the police/army forces, all govt officers etc. I doubt it but it is nice to think they will really do it independently and not show any favor to anyone

 

[Eric Loh]

Wiki's write-up best described the NACC: -

 

The NACC is known for its lengthy investigations of corruption complaints filed by the public and for its lack of success in prosecuting the rich or powerful.^[31] NACC's perceived lack of performance has attracted scorn in Thailand. Typical is the assessment of a Bangkok Post editorial, "The biggest disappointment, as it has been for years, is the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). As the leading graftbusters [sic] in the country ranked 101st least corrupt, the NACC has done little to justify itself...Since the military coup that promised crackdowns on corruption, the NACC has concluded only a single case—the malfeasance investigation which led to the indictment of ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra. That is the very opposite of a war on corruption."^[32]

 

They don't deserve more power. 

 

[Srikcir]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

Currently, the NACC has to wait for others to file complaints before starting an investigation.

"Others" includes citizens, political parties, government officials, police, military, etc. - just about anyone who can legally file a complaint. So increasing NAAC power merely allows NAAC's own members to initiate investigations. So seems not to really change the prosecurial environment. NAAC still must go through the Attorney General Office to prosecute NAAC allegations of crime.

 

However, in terms of funding and investigative priorities, it's likely that investigations recommended by NAAC members will get priority over all other sources of complaints. That creates an even greater potential for conflict of interest, abuse of power and secretive influence peddling. In the hands of a Dark State the NAAC can bring unmitigated disruption to an elected government that favors Dark State control.