Chief of anti-graft panel laments lack of cooperation

Speaking on the first anniversary of the AEC, Nam said only two cases have reached the court - the tax evasion in Shinawatra Computer, and the Ratchadaphisek land purchase scandal.

Auditor-general Khunying Jaruwan Maintaka said the prime minister, ministers and permanent secretaries must give their full support for the investigations into the corruption cases.

She expects the CTX scanner case to be wrapped up at the end of October while the airport power-cable case will be completed in November.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said the AEC could not meet its objectives because of lack of cooperation from concerned officials and the people involved in the cases.

The AEC's term has been extended to June next year.

Sak said the agency wants to complete all investigations and does not want to pass on the responsibility to other agencies.

Sak called on people in the justice system to be fair, saying they should not practice double standards. The AEC has ordered a freeze on some Bt60 billion funds, but has been sued for more than Bt100 billion by deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife.

"It should not be that when you file charges against others, you say one thing and when you are sued you say something totally different,'' he said.

Sak pointed out the delay in some cases such as the Ua Athon housing project, which involves over 100 housing projects. The AEC can find evidence in five housing projects that may reach the court.

The rubber sapling investigation also involves a number of people and more time is required to wrap up the investigation.

Jaruwan said the AEC will be asked to take up more corruption allegations relating to the Bangkok garbage project, and King Power and Thai Maritime Navigation cases.

However, Nam said the AEC may not be able to take up more cases because its term has been extended on the condition that it cannot accept more cases for investigation.

By Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation