Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont agreed with a proposal to extend the Assets Examination Committee (AEC)'s term if its inquiries into alleged corruption by the deposed administration were not completed, AEC chief Nam Yimyaem said yesterday.

Nam said he had called for the government to agree to extend the AEC's term during a meeting with Surayud and leaders of other national bodies. Currently the probe teams are due to finish their work in September.

The graft-busters had numerous cases pending, and should have more time to wrap up their investigations, he said.

"The prime minister has agreed with the proposal," Nam said.

National Legislative Assembly Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan said the meeting had discussed if the AEC's term should be extended and concluded that this was a possibility. The issue of extending the AEC's term has been debated by academics, politicians and the graft-busters themselves.

Those who support the claim say the AEC needs more time to complete pending cases as some state agencies had failed to co-operate or provide evidence against the previous government of Thaksin Shinawatra.

However, some opponents have said that one year is enough for the AEC to rule on all 14 graft cases involving the ousted government - and that the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) could handle any crimes found in the months ahead.

NCCC chairman Panthep Klanarongran said the meeting concluded that the AEC's term should end when the interim government finishes - and an elected government assumes power. Then, the AEC would pass pending cases to the NCCC, he added.

Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) chairman Noranit Sethabutr said he had promised Surayud the CDA would complete the new charter as scheduled, for early July, before the nation votes on it in a national referendum.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

Hassaya Chartmontri

The Nation