NEW CABINET: PM attacked for failing on corruption

Published on August 04, 2005 - Suriya’s new posts slammed; latest team’s make-up labelled an act of political expediency

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday came under heavy attack for awarding a new set of powerful Cabinet posts to Suriya Jungrungreangkit, while his latest Cabinet reshuffle was branded an insincere attempt to stamp out corruption.

Corruption allegations surrounding the purchase of bomb scanners for Suvarnabhumi Airport were the main reason Thaksin had come under pressure to reshuffle the Cabinet. Suriya, who was then transport minister, failed to dispel public suspicions of bribery during a censure debate in Parliament in June.

However, Suriya has now been appointed deputy prime minister with dual responsibility for the Industry Ministry. A Dusit Poll survey on the new line-up shows that Suriya is the minister with whom the public is most disappointed.

Chaiyan Chaiporn, of Chulalongkorn University’s political science faculty, said the failure to remove Suriya from the Cabinet showed that the government was not sincere about combating corruption.

“It is very bizarre that the government punishes a minister that the public believes was involved in a corruption scandal by awarding him with more powerful posts,” he said. “By refusing to remove him, the public will be more convinced than ever that the airport bribery scandal is linked with the prime minister and politicians close to him.”

Thaksin yesterday led his new Cabinet to be sworn in before His Majesty the King at an oath-taking ceremony at Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Thaksin said after the ceremony that the King had told him and his Cabinet to reflect on the oath they took.

“Although the oath is made up of easy-to-speak words, the words have significance. You should pay attention and consider the meaning of those words. If you are unable to do as you have promised, damage will be done to the country as well as to yourselves,” His Majesty said.

“So, all of you should realise the meaning of the words. If you strictly carry out what you have said, you will be blessed,” the King added.

Chaiyan said he believed Thaksin’s intention in reshuffling his Cabinet was to reduce internal conflicts and public pressure.

He dismissed as groundless the prime minister’s claim to have reshuffled the Cabinet to achieve better efficiency by putting the right people in the right job. He had, for instance, removed Newin Chidchob, who had long-time experience in the agriculture sector, because he could not get along with Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan.

Sora-at Klinpratoom, who had no experience in information technology, was appointed as information and communications technology minister. “Thaksin just wants to maintain political support from Sora-at’s faction,” Chaiyan said.

Thaksin yesterday fiercely defended his claim that the new Cabinet line-up was meant to boost efficiency and was not a matter of political expediency. He insisted that he saw nothing wrong with Suriya and said he might assign him to oversee the Transport Ministry.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Cabinet reshuffle was another act of musical chairs to effect power sharing among factions within Thai Rak Thai. He said he was disappointed the same ministers were in the economic team when they had yet to deliver successful policies. He said the reason for this was that Thaksin had interfered with their work.

Anti-graft activist Veera Somkwamkid said that Thaksin had proven him right again by not punishing, but promoting Suriya.

“I am not surprised,” he said. “Suriya holds a lot of secrets about the general election. Many people would be in hot water if Thaksin hurt Suriya.”

Veera said Thaksin had reshuffled his Cabinet only to maintain his status and power.

“Thaksin vowed to work for the interests of the country, but this reshuffle proves otherwise. He is cheating the entire country and allowing his family and close friends to amass vested interests.”

Veera said that if Thaksin wanted to fulfil his promise of sacrifice in the public interest, he should step down.

“Reshuffling the Cabinet will not solve the problem, because Thaksin himself is the problem,” he said.

Abhisit said the only positive point about the reshuffle was the appointment of Chaturon Chaisang to the education portfolio because he was more acceptable in academic circles than Adisai Bodharamik.

In yesterday’s Dusit Poll, Chaturon came second as the minister the public was most satisfied with.

Abhisit said, however, he was concerned about whether Chaturon would still be able to play a role in curbing the violence in the deep south. He said Chaturon had co-ordinated well between the government and the National Reconciliation Commission, and he wondered whether Chaturon still had this role.

“Frequent changes of officials in charge in the deep South will pose more problems,” Abhisit said.

Thaksin has called a first meeting of his new Cabinet today to assign work for each of the ministers.