Rude awakening for PM

The government is mired in controversy stemming from the distribution of substandard relief supplies to flood victims in Phatthalung. Social Development and Human Security Minister Witoon Nambutr is undoubtedly responsible for a lapse of duty.

Regardless of whether there is cause to suspect irrigularities, Witoon has already committed a political sin by handing out rotten canned fish in the stronghold of his Democrat Party. The majority of southern constituents have always rallied behind the Democrats and it is unforgivable and insulting to get stinky fish in return for their loyalty.

Abhisit was spot on in his assessment that the people's feelings had been hurt no matter how many attempts were made to atone for the mistake.

Witoon's fate is sealed - his exit is unavoidable. At issue is not about sacking Witoon but about the ripple effect on the main coalition party.

Abhisit is carefully weighing his options. The issue about Witoon's departure is easy and simple. The mishap in naming his replacement may, however, force the simmering discontent among the Democrats into a full-blown problem to rock the government's stability.

When the Cabinet was lined up in December, a large number of Democrats felt let down due to less-than-expected ministerial quotas allotted to the main coalition party.

Their discontent will likely turn into a revolt if Abhisit made a wrong choice on who should replace Witoon.

Under the existing list of qualified Democrats from the Northeast, Witoon is the top pick of the bunch.

If Abhisit opts for one of the candidates from the list, then he risks having a second-rated minister. And this would, in turn, negate any attempts of shoring up confidence. It is downright foolish to solve incompetency by bringing about mediocrity.

The partisan alternative to the Northeast list are the candidates from the Central Region. One of the top contenders is MP Chalermchai Sri-on who narrowly missed the Cabinet bandwagon.

The problem is Abhisit picked Witoon over Chalermchai in the last round. And the Democrats from the Northeast will feel alienated if the ministerial portfolio is reallocated to another clique.

Should Abhisit allow himself to be trapped by partisan limitations, he is bound to antagonise his fellow Democrats and at the same time fail to boost confidence.

He needs to look beyond the quota system to search for a candidate most qualified for the job, the one acceptable to the public and commands the clout over the Democrats. The question is: Will an individual of such stature agree to the political appointment?

In case no suitable replacement can be found at this juncture, Witoon has a window of opportunity to carry on in his job or switch office. Abhisit is likely to try to steer a leaky boat rather than to sink it.

Along the same line of thought about not sinking the boat, the prime minister is unlikely to upset his coalition alliance by shuffling out Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat.

Boonjong has attracted controversy to himself by giving out his name cards along with cash handouts to about 500 destitute villagers in Nakhon Ratchasima. His critics cry foul to what they see as misconduct to buy votes in advance.

Although he has rigorously denied any wrongdoing, he agrees to subject himself to the scrutiny of independent organisations.

The hasty move to penalise Boonjong before the probe outcome would shake the government to its core.

Since the controversy is centring around Boonjong rather than the government, the prime minister has the luxury of time to allow the event to unfold. Time will tell whether Boonjong's own conduct would prove to be his undoing.

There is no need for an intervention.