NLA chief to decide on firing over graft case
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PORNPETCH Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly, has to decide whether to fire the NLA members targeted by allegations that they were involved in a corruption scandal while they were governors of Loei and Mukdahan, Interior Minist
Wilas Chantaraphithak, a former Democrat MP for Bangkok, has called on the two NLA members to step down as they were allegedly involved in the procurement of herbicides at outrageous prices. Anupong said that if the NLA did not move against the two assembly members within 180 days, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) must initiate both civil and criminal actions against them.
Reports say the NLA members are former Mukdahan governor Charnwit Wasayangkura and former Loei governor Pornsai Jearanai. Anupong said his ministry would launch a disciplinary investigation into officials allegedly involved in the purchase of “overpriced” herbicides in 2011.
The Office of the Auditor-General has completed its investigation into the case. The Interior Ministry can launch a disciplinary probe against officials ranked lower than C10, while the prime minister can set up an investigation panel against officials above C10.
Narong Rathamarit, a member of the NACC, said the anti-graft agency would probe NLA members if someone files a complaint against them.
