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Published on February 1, 2008

The Assets Examination Committee appears to be isolated but its commissioners have not lost their morale at work, chairman Nam Yimyaem said yesterday.

His comments came as some officials of the anti-graft agency bemoaned the fact that the AEC appeared to be working alone as allies of ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, whom it has been investigating, were returning to power.

Even General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who led the coup that overthrew Thaksin's government, has made friendly contact with the deposed leader.

Responding to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's threat to take action against all agencies that discriminated against him, Nam yesterday said the AEC conducted its duties without discriminating or harassing anyone.

"No one can dissolve the AEC. We are doing our job. Samak should just run the country and not interfere with us," he said.

"I am not afraid. I once worked on the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai Party under former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Now I am checking Samak as PM,'' he added.

Nam said the AEC was not perturbed by the threats because it has been working as an independent body since the beginning.

"We are confident there will not be interference in our work,'' he said.

He said the AEC may announce stellar achievements such as the findings on the purchase of CTX bomb detection machines scandal and the over-priced purchase of fire-fighting equipment where Samak was among the key suspects.

"All our 10 members will not resign before the end of our terms. We will submit our findings to the court,'' he said.

The AEC appointed an investigative panel to probe Samak for malfeasance when he was Bangkok governor, on the day he received a royal command to be premier.

AEC member Kaewsan Atibodhi also dismissed the significance of Sonthi opening a line of communication with Thaksin by saying the AEC had nothing to do with the National Security Council.

"We do not work because of General Sonthi. We work within the scope and authority of the National Counter Corruption Commission law. We are not a kangaroo court and do not harass anyone. Our morale is high and we accept this job because we are committed to our duties,'' he said.

Meanwhile the AEC will on Monday suggest the Revenue Department collect income tax from Shin Satellite on its Bt1 billion in insurance compensation that was paid when its satellite was damaged.

The Nation