Published on May 13, 2005

Though the Senate voted on Tuesday to endorse Visut Montriwat as the new auditor-general, Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka continues to insist she still holds the post.

The Senate voted to accept Visut’s nomination 107 in favour, 31 against, and 17 absenting. But Jaruvan maintained yesterday that she would stay put until His Majesty the King endorsed an order that she be removed.

Jaruvan questioned the integrity of some Senators voting in support of Visut, who is deputy permanent secretary for finance. She argued that in May 2001 several senators voted in support of the process that resulted in her appointment, yet on Tuesday the same senators declared the process illegal.

Jaruvan said she did not believe PM Thaksin Shinawatra had exerted undue influence in Visut’s favour. Visut is reportedly preferred for the post by several leading government politicians. Senator Santipap Intarapat said Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua might be loath to forward Visut’s nomination for Royal endorsement for fear of rejection. On Wednesday, Suchon passed the issue on to the Board of Audit Commissioners.

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