Scandals taint image of Democrat

Social Development and Human Security Minister Witoon Nambutr has come under attack in recent weeks for suspected irregularities relating to the distribution of relief supplies by his ministry to flood victims in Phatthalung.

Canned fish among the supplies turned out to be rotten. Two of his close aides were allegedly involved.

Witoon's explanation about the scandal was vague. Some independent agencies, such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and Office of the Auditor-General, are investigating the case. Witoon has vowed he will quit if found guilty by any agency.

There was a rumour that Witoon's scandal was leaked to the opposition party by his party colleague, senior MP Suthas Ngeunmuen, in order to have Witoon sacked from the post. Suthas and Witoon are MPs from the Northeast. They were both competitors for a ministerial post.

Witoon, the lawyer-turned-politician, first joined the Democrats in 1992, the same time as Abhisit. He is a six-time MP from Ubon Ratchathani.

Although the Northeast is the weakest political stronghold of the Democrats, Witoon was one of two Democrat MPs who won the election there in 2005.

With an outstanding performance, the young blood politician was appointed deputy party leader and leader of Zone 4 (lower part of the Northeast) in 2007 and won the election.

After his election, the 50-year-old politician was appointed shadow Social Development and Human Security Minister during then prime minister Samak Sundaravej's reign.

The recent scandal has affected the popularity of the Democrat Party as voters know people could have been harmed by the bad food. Moreover, a major strong point of the party is its opposition to corruption; and in this case one of its own members has been accused of corruption.

Although Witoon is close to Democrat secretary-general and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who successfully backed Abhisit as premier, the scandal will force Abhisit to decide Witoon's ministerial future.

The premier said he would decide tomorrow whether to reshuffle the Cabinet due to Witoon's case. Abhisit may give Witoon a chance to explain himself in a party meeting today before making the decision.

Having looked at Democrat standards, it is likely that Abhisit may ask or even force Witoon to suspend his duties or even quit the post. It was similar to Apirak Kosayodhin's fire-truck case. Apirak quit his first term as Bangkok governor when he was being investigated by the NACC.

If Abhisit successfully forces Witoon to quit, to show his spirit before any inquiry result comes out, it would set a high standard for all ministers - especially Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wontrairat, a Bhum Jai Thai MP, suspected of vote-buying by distributing Bt500 bills and his business cards to his constituents in the Northeastern province.