Anti-graft network urges scrutiny of post-flood projects
The Anti-Corruption Network (ACN), an alliance of private watchdog groups, will submit a letter to the government outlining three steps it must take to monitor its huge spending towards the country's rehabilitation as the ACN is concerned the projects co
Sompol Kiatphaibool, committee member of the ACN and chairman of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, said the ACN wants the government to closely monitor three key issues as it could lead to fraud and corruption by involved officials.
First, it called for the government to clearly inform the public about procurements via its website so that every section of society can easily observe the government’s actions and procurement. It suggested that the government should inform clearly who have joined the auction, who was chosen, and what is the price offered. The information should be released based on real-time so that it would prove the government’s transparency rather than provide retroactive information.
Second, it asked the government to form its own investigation unit to double-check on budget spending. The unit may be outsourced to an external auditor to ensure transparency, and clearly release the investigation results to the public. Also, if the government found any doubtful activities, the government must stringently investigate the case and punish any unscrupulous officials or involved persons.
Finally, it urged the Cabinet to give full authority to the National Anti-Corruption Commission to release information and set up a middle price for the government’s bidding and procurement in order to use as a database for keeping an eye on future corruption. So far, the Cabinet has not yet accepted the idea in principle.
Sompol said the ACN will also focus on the worthiness of the budget spending of the government in particular or whether each agency of the government has duplicated work on each project and made inefficient use of the budget.
ACN chairman Pramon Sutivong said the government should stop its special procurement method as it could lead to corruption easily.
"The government did not have the middle price for citation to compare with the market price in many procurement projects. The procurement method is one of the first things that the government needs to revamp," he said.
Wiwat Charoenpanichsiri, director of the ACN Centre, said that it will soon send 10 projects worth a combined Bt1 billion for investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Since June this year, the centre has received more than 500 complaints about corruption cases from its volunteers and allies. The provincial chamber of commerce will first investigate those cases.
