PM defends cabinet reshuffle, denies rewards
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The Cabinet reshuffle was appropriate and had nothing to do with taking turns to be rewarded as critics have claimed, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Thursday before leaving on a visit to the Philippines.
“The reshuffle took place after government had been working for a certain period of time and was aimed at fine-tuning work, as the country continues to undergo (flood) recovery efforts,” she said.
Yingluck insisted she named her ministers based on individual capabilities, saying that speculation about political rewards was unfounded.
“The public may not be familiar with some of the new ministers but their qualifications fit the job given to them," she said.
With regard to concerns about the appointment of Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat as defence minister, she said she was confident there would not be any problems with government-military ties.
The prime minister defended her decision to bring red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua into the Cabinet, saying he was qualified for the position of deputy agriculture minister.
"Natthawut is capable and knows the problems of farmers," she said.
She said the appointment of Nalinee Tavisin as PM's Office minister would not impact on her government despite Nalinee being on the visa blacklist of the United States.
Nalinee had passed background checks, meeting all constitutional requirements, she said.
"Nalinee has already explained about the blacklist issue and will speak again (to clear lingering doubts)," she said.
The concurrent appointment of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kitiratt Na Ranong was deemed necessary to spearhead the flood control measures, she said.
