Wilas stands by his corruption claim in BMA purchase

The Democrats say they are awaiting approval from the National Council for Peace and Order to conduct a party meeting to possibly probe the allegations.
Yesterday BMA governor MR Sukhum-bhand Paribatra, who won election under the Democrat banner and whose term ends in January 2017, walked away from the city executives’ meeting room, reportedly to avoid reporters’ questions about the case.
Wilas had earlier told reporters the city’s obscure procurement practices and specifications were set to favour certain firms in a Bt1.3-billion purchase of musical instruments for city schools. He was still awaiting a green light from the party to file a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
But Wilas said even if the party didn’t give him permission, he would go ahead to file the complaint with the NACC – if the city still couldn’t provide a sound explanation because “the evidence is so clear, especially in the specification setting.”
Wilas insisted that his recent accusation stemmed from public complaints, which came with evidence. He had to perform his duty even though the accused was a fellow Democrat politician.
Dismissing accusations he had conspired with others, he said he hadn’t informed party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva or party members ahead of making such allegations and had just acted in his capacity as a former member of the House anti-corruption committee.
BMA Deputy Governor Phussadee Tamthai said on Sunday the city would be ready and willing to cooperate in a budget spending probe into musical instrument procurement, which had begun in 2008.
She also claimed that, after some Bangkok councillors had expressed concern about the scheme, she had in October assigned the BMA Education Department to set up a panel to gather the scheme’s assessments and check on various points. The city was now waiting for the committee’s findings, she said.