Pracha keen to dispel doubts over shifting of graft-buster
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Justice Minister Pracha Promnok has ordered the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission to hold a press conference today in order to dispel any lingering doubt on the transfer of PACC secretary general.
“Pracha wants Dusadee Arayawuth to explain his transfer as routine and freed from political interference,” a Justice official said on the condition of anonymity.
Last week Cabinet agreed to reassign Dusadee to the position of deputy permanent secretary for Justice, effective on October 1, as per a proposal by Pracha.
In regard to the naming of Dusadee’s successor, Pracha is scheduled today to chair a meeting to move Pravesna Mulpramook out of the Department of Special Investigation, to pave way for his appointment at the PACC.
According to the justice official, Dusadee earlier rejected Pracha’s request for him to facilitate the secondment of Pravesna because he had wanted to a PACC insider to replace him.
This has prompted Pracha’s direct intervention to override Dusadee via the Justice Ministry’s Civil Service Subcommission.
In a related development, DSI director general Tarit Pengdith said he was not aware of a move to second his deputy Pravesna to the PACC although he had heard the matter being discussed.
Tarit believed Pracha had a mandate to move Pravesna for a new job at the PACC.
Justice permanent secretary Kittipong Kittiyarak said his office had no involvement in dispensing the new assignment for Pravesna because the matter was under the direct purview of the minister.
Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry has set Friday to release its annual performance report, showcasing achievements fighting graft and illicit drugs.
The ministry also planned to revamp the work of the Justice spokesman in order to shore up its public image which recently came under attack because of help it has given to the red shirts and the alleged meddling in anti-graft probes.
Naras Savetanan, designated director general of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, is tipped to concurrently become the Justice spokesman.
