Our transfers no different to Democrats : Chalerm
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday defended the Cabinet decision to transfer National Security Council secretary-general Thawil Pliensri by pointing to similar transfers of senior bureaucrats close to the Pheu Thai Party by the previous go
Chalerm said he liked Thawil's remark that people must face the effects of their actions, as the rule of karma.
"May the person who abuses his authority be doomed. May the people who commit bad deeds get the bad karma. Thawil was right in that respect," he said.
A senior figure in the ruling Pheu Thai Party, Chalerm also said that during the tenure of the previous Democrat-led government, many senior bureaucrats close to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and other Pheu Thai politicians were unfairly transferred from their positions.
"What wrongdoing did they commit?" Chalerm said, referring to the transferred officials. "The Democrats should not forget that."
He said Thawil had the right to bring his case to the Administrative Court if he thought his transfer was unfair. He added that after being transferred to become the prime minister's adviser, Thawil would still get the same salary and allowances.
"Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra also promised to assign him to an important mission," Chalerm said.
Thawil's transfer has been viewed as a move to pave the way for national police chief General Wichean Potephosree to become the new NSC chief. A vacant seat of the national police chief is expected to be filled by his deputy Police General Priewpan Damapong, who is brother of Pojaman na Pombejra, the former wife of the prime minister's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Former interior minister Purachai Piumsomboon yesterday urged the government to avoid exercising authority for the benefit of its associates. He also warned politicians in power against promoting bureaucrats who are their relatives.
"Whoever the next police chief is, the principle of merit must be followed. Don't allow past mistakes to happen again, and favouritism should be avoided. High caution must be taken in promoting people with the same surname [as that of ruling politicians]," said Purachai, who is an MP from the opposition Rak Santi Party.
A former police captain, Purachai said politics had for long interfered in the police.
Commenting on Thawil's transfer, he said the government had the administrative power to transfer senior bureaucrats any time, although the NSC chief also had the right to bring his case to court.
