More transparency needed in selection of NRC candidates
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I laud PM Prayut for putting the fight against corruption on the national agenda. However, actions speak much louder than words, and he should be the nation's role model of transparency - especially in the critical job of selecting National Reform Council
Anti-corruption organisation Transparency International says transparency “is about shedding light on rules, plans, processes and actions”.
“It is knowing why, how, what, and how much... It is the surest way of guarding against corruption, and helps increase trust in the people and institutions on which our futures depend.”
Thus, General Prayut should not simply say, “Trust me”, especially when he admits he doesn’t know 90 per cent of the selected NRC members. He told the screening committee to choose candidates from diverse backgrounds. But just giving orders isn’t enough. For example, how many candidates came from among the red shirts, yellow shirts, non-military/police, women, farmers or lower income groups?
He says that critics can lodge complaints if there appears to be a lack of transparency. But that lack is glaringly obvious. Critics are complaining, and he who should be a paragon of transparency is shrugging them off. Don’t just talk the talk, sir, walk the walk.
Burin Kantabutra
Bangkok
