AEC gets more power to bag corrupt MPs
The National Legislative Assembly yesterday approved a new law to give the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) more power in demanding co-operation from relevant state agencies in its investigations into alleged corrupt politicians involving the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra.
The law is expected to become effective once it receives a royal endorsement. It was drafted to amend the Corruption Prevention and Suppression Act of 1999, which will make it easier for the National Counter Corruption Commission to begin investigations into suspected irregularities by politicians. The AEC will also benefit as it will be granted scrutinising powers stated in the 1999 anti-graft law. As the law requires a damaged party to file petitions against public officials suspected of irregularities, the amended law will give the AEC the power to launch the petitions on its own behalf if the relevant state agencies do not co-operate. Some state agencies have been blamed for not co-operating with the AEC as they failed to file petitions against alleged corrupt politicians. In a related development, PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said he reported yesterday to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on the progress of the draft bill aimed at preventing conflicts of interest by public-office holders. Thirapat said the draft was being deliberated by the Council of State, the government's legal advisory agency, which was expected to complete the task by mid-April. Then the draft would be forwarded to the NLA for approval, he said.
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