Cabinet approves bill on conflicts of interest
The draft bill concerning the prevention of conflicts of interest among state officials, which has been approved by the Cabinet, would give legal heft to ongoing efforts in this area, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, a noted legal expert.
Wissanu said the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) would have to set up a new agency to explain to state officials what can be or not be done under this new law.
The law, he said, was different to existing laws dealing directly with corruptionm, adding that conflict of interest had been something of a grey area to this point.
He said state officials would be prohibited from any acts deemed to be conflicts of interest, ranging from taking gifts beyond a certain value (which would be determined in the law) to using their power to favour particular entities in state projects or cases involving the state.
Penalties would cover the officials’ partners, parents, children and siblings.
Meanwhile, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has acknowledged the updated report concerning the return to their positions to officials once subject to inquiries into corruption allegations.
The NCPO has issued eight orders to suspend or transfer 353 officials from various government agencies, paving the way for inquiries.
At least 34 officials have been found not guilty and should be able to return to their offices. Another 72 were found guilty and would face severe disciplinary action, including dismissal.
The rest were still under inquiry, either by their own offices or the NACC, said government spokesperson Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd.