By Thai Newsroom Reporters
PARLIAMENT President Sopon Zaram was today (June 5) asked by the People’s-led opposition to relay a formal request for the Supreme Court to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s failure to press asset concealment charges against former transport minister/former Bhumjaithai secretary-general Saksayam Chidchob.
The People’s leader Nattapong Ruengpanyawut led opposition lawmakers including some senators in today’s petition lodged to the Supreme Court via the Bhumjaithai-attached parliament president to set up an ad hoc panel to look into the earlier phenomenon in which the NACC had questionably resolved to exonerate Saksayam, brother of de facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob, of asset concealment charges despite allegations that he had managed to have unnamed nominees hold shares of Buri Charoen Construction Ltd. Part., the contractor firm based in his lower-northeastern home province of Buriram, on his behalf and during his time as transport minister.
The contentious decision made by the anti-graft agency to spare Saksayam the asset concealment charges evidently contradicted that of the Constitutional Court which had previously ruled Newin’s brother guilty and stripped him of his ministerial status, thus prompting the request for the Supreme Court to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate, according to the opposition leader.
Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether or how soon Sopon, who declined to comment today, will forward the petition against the NACC to the Supreme Court, given the fact that the parliament president is currently among a total of 192 Bhumjaithai MPs.
If found guilty by court, all the nine commissioners of the anti-graft agency could possibly be subject to terms in jail on grounds of duty negligence and misconduct whilst Newin’s brother could possibly be as well punished by law.
Some of the commissioners had been named by the senators, most of whom are known as covertly associated with and constantly supportive to the ruling Bhumjaithai, core of the current coalition government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Besides, Anutin, who concurrently acts as interior minister and Bhumjaithai leader, and Newin’s son Chaichanok Chidchob, who currently acts as digital economy & society minister and Bhumjaithai secretary-general, have been formally accused of illegally occupying parcels of Khao Kradong land which also locates the famous Chang International Circuit and Chang Arena sporting venues in the capital district of Buriram.
The disputable land owned by the State Railways of Thailand had been practically managed by the Land Department, a government agency attached to the Ministry of Interior, with land title deeds having been issued to 900-plus occupying villagers including the Chidchob family whilst the Administrative Court had ruled that the land belongs to the rail agency.
CAPTIONS:
People’s leader Nattapong Ruengpanyawut, centre in above image, and speaking at parliament, Front Page. Above photo – Amarin TV, Front Page – Naewna
Insert – Former transport minister/former Bhumjaithai secretary-general Saksayam Chidchob. Photo – Naewna
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