SCB chairman apologises for delay in handing over documents, vows to pay for damage
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A HIGH-RANKING Siam Commercial Bank executive apologised yesterday for the bank's delay in handing documents to police and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Latkrabang related to the Bt1.6 billion embezzlement scandal at the institute.
A HIGH-RANKING Siam Commercial Bank executive apologised yesterday for the bank’s delay in handing documents to police and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Latkrabang related to the Bt1.6 billion embezzlement scandal at the institute.
But Vichit Suraphongchai, chairman SCB’s executive committee, said the theft was orchestrated by individuals and should not cause a rift between the bank and KMITL. He said the delay in furnishing the information was caused by its large volume – but SCB red tape was the key reason.
He also said SCB would be responsible for the damage done by its staff and it was working “as quickly as possible” to find the wrongdoers.
Vichit spoke yesterday at a joint press conference where KMITL officials and Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) executives were also present.
Acting deputy KMITL rector Prof Monai Krairuerk said he felt more comfortable after meeting with SCB executives and was told that relevant documents would be delivered quicker at KMITL’s request.
Another acting deputy KMITL rector, Assoc Prof Jamroon Laosinwatthana, dismissed a statement by Songklod Sriprasong, the former SCB branch manager at the centre of the scandal, when he said a number of cheques and transactions were signed retroactively by KMITL lecturers authorised to do so.
“KMITL has not obtained any documents indicating this and KMITL has never had such a policy [allowing documents to be signed retroactively],” he said.
Vichit said Wallaya Kaewrung-ruang, general counsel group head and SCB senior executive vice president, is now responsible for handing over relevant documents. Wallaya is in charge of the bank’s legal affairs and internal paperwork, he said.
OHEC secretary-general Assoc Kamjorn Tatiyakawee said a number of preventative government measures should be put in place to prevent large-scale theft reoccurring at state universities.
Jamroon said KMITL had requested the delivery of 68 documents associated with eight bank accounts so far. Eight documents had been received, while another 31 linked with five accounts are slated to be handed over next Wednesday and all documents due to be handed over by February 23, he said.
Separately, acting Crime Suppres-sion Division commander Maj-General Akkharadej Phimolsri said the police inquiry into the scandal should be completed by the end of this month.
