Graftbusters launch probe into nepotism

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will conduct a probe into 70 National Legislative Assembly (NLA) members’ appointments of relatives as aides.

NACC member Vichai Vivitsevi said the graftbusters must examine the complaint lodged by social activist Srisuwan Janya on Tuesday.

The anti-graft agency will conduct a caseby-case examination of 70 NLA members’ employment of family members, he said. If the spouse or child of military-appointed lawmakers has the skills to function as an aide, in accordance with the Senate Code of Conduct, the case will be settled, he said. But if the NACC find the relative lacks the necessary qualifications or experience for the job, the commission will determine that the NLA members who hired them abused their authority, Mr Vichai said. He added that anti-graft commissioners will also look at the intentions of the 70 NLA members and decide whether they breached the NLA code of conduct to further their personal interests. Mr Vichai said the anti-graft body must examine all cases brought to its attention. Commissioners previously were unsure if they could rule on the issue, saying the 1999 Organic Law on Counter-Corruption invoked by the complainant only covered the prime minister and local administration organisation leaders — not MPs, senators or NLA members. Mr Vichai said commissioners will look at the petition and investigate the matter in detail before meeting again next Tuesday to decide whether to further their probe.

At least 70 NLA members had appointed family members, including wives and children, as personal specialists, personal experts, and personal assistants with monthly salaries of 24,000 baht, 20,000 baht, and 15,000 baht respectively, although some members have since terminated the employment of their relatives amid growing public criticism.

Meanwhile, Yuthapan Panthasingsorn, secretary-general of the Thais’ Interests and Pride Protection Network yesterday filed a petition with the Office of the Ombudsman, asking it to probe whether National Reform Council (NRC) members also hired their kin.

Reports have come to light that some members of the NRC may also have hired family and relatives as aides and advisers, though details are hard to come by, especially now that public criticism of the nepotism scandal concerning the NLA has come to light.

Mr Yuthapan asked the Ombudsman to investigate any NRC members found to have hired their kin and pursue criminal and civil lawsuits against them. He also asked the Ombudsman to forward the case to the NACC if it finds they have done so.

The anti-graft body could then launch impeachment proceedings against them, as well as submit the case to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office-Holders.

The secretary-general of the Office of the Ombudsman, Raksakecha Chaechai, accepted the petition.

NRC president Thienchay Kiranandana said the employment of NRC members’ relatives followed the same regulations that applies to former MPs and senators. He said nothing would be amiss if the employment of NRC members’ kin meet the requirements set out in the regulations.