Move fits CRES criteria, anti-money laundering law: Abhisit
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday defended the move to freeze the accounts of 83 individuals and organisations on suspicion of subsidising the red-shirted protest, saying his government has no political motivation to harass its rivals.
"There'll be no problem if they can explain the transactions to the authorities," Abhisit said. "So just follow the procedures and report to the authorities."
The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) would this week summon the individuals and organisations for questioning on their fiscal activities over the past months during the marathon protest of the red shirts in the capital and major provinces.
The government believes they spent huge sums to support the rally, which demanded the prime minister dissolve Parliament and call a fresh election.
The government's harsh reaction in April and May left 90 people dead and more than 1,800 wounded.
The CRES, which was set up to oversee security during the mass demonstrations, began its campaign to round up the protest leaders and block their sources of funding to prevent reprisal attacks from aggrieved protesters.
The opposition Pheu Thai Party questioned the criteria and rationale for including persons or organisations on the list, since many people who used to work for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and later defected to the government were let off the hook.
The Anti-Money Laundering Office had pinpointed 86 individuals and organisations for possibly backing the red protests, but later former deputy premier Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Captain Manas Promphao and Khon Kaen red-shirt leader Ekaraj Changlao were removed, leaving 83 names on the blacklist.
No clear explanation has been given for why the three were dropped from the list, but speculation ranges from close connections with the current government to even bribes being paid to clear their names.
No detailed information on list: PM
Abhisit declined to comment on the changes, saying he did not have detailed information on the list since he was not a member of the CRES, which is chaired by his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban.
"But I understand the CRES has criteria in accordance with the anti-money laundering law," he said.
Basically, large transactions need to be reported to authorities and the law authorises officials to trace flows in connection with terrorism charges, he said.
Any information proving that officials were paid to take someone's name off the list was welcome, he said.
The government did not wield the law to hassle political rivals but needed to take action since some irregular money movements were spotted over the past months, he said.
"There is no irritation, they always get permission to withdraw their money to pay their bills such as debts and utilities, like electricity and water," Abhisit said. Continued enforcement of the emergency law and blocking the money transactions of suspected individuals and organisations were very effective to control the situation, he said.
There has been no sabotage or protests since the military cracked down on the protest last month, Abhisit added.
Opposition MP and red leader Jatuporn Promphan said the government should apply the law equally to both the supporters of the red shirts and the yellow shirts. Many yellow-shirt leaders were also charged with terrorism, but why weren't their supporters' bank accounts frozen, he asked.
Thaweesan Lonanurak, secretary-general of the Northeastern Chamber of Commerce, said the government should provide hard evidence to prove the cash really went for the red-shirt protest.
The government should give the individuals and organisations whose accounts were frozen a chance to explain themselves, otherwise it would be a case of unfair treatment, he said.