SPOTLIGHT
.. and then the pressure's off for the ASC, reports King-oua Laohong
Members of the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) say they won't bow to pressure and are determined to do their jobs until their last day in office comes to an end.
Today will see the 11 panel members, appointed by the generals who staged the coup on Sept 19, 2006, take a final bow after spending 21 months working on cases involving alleged irregularities in the Thaksin Shinawatra administration. The National Counter Corruption Commission will take over the Thaksin case, after the ASC's tenure comes to an end today.
ASC chairman Nam Yimyaem said that he had been working as a legal adviser for BankThai prior to being approached to take the job with the committee.
"The ASC handles cases of varying degrees of complexity. Forms of corruption are evolving rapidly these days, including conflicts of interest and efforts to amend laws to serve self-interests and cronies," Mr Nam said.
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| The Assets Scrutiny Committee tenure ends today, with its members receiving much praise from the public and Thaksin's opponents. |
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| ASC members, including Kaewsan Atipho and Sak Korsaengruang, have been through hard times investigating the corruption cases against the Thaksin government, not knowing if they would face repercussions. |
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| Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka and NCCC member Klanarong Chantik thank their supporters during their recent visit to the ASC office. |
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| ASC chairman Nam Yimyaem receives a bouquet of flowers from a well-wisher. |
He admitted that he had to be prepared to face pressure when dealing with cases involving politicians and wealthy people.
"I have already braced myself for verbal abuse from telephone calls, although there are no other kinds of threats and intimidation," he said.
"But my family members were a bit shocked when police officers brought an arrest warrant [for alleged defamation] to my house."
He said he will return to work at BankThai and plan to find time to go on outings with other ASC colleagues.
"We haven't been anywhere for almost two years. The first place may be the beach at Ban Hin Krud in Prachuap Khiri Khan," the ASC chairman said.
ASC member Viroj Laohapan was asked by the coup makers to join the panel because of his expertise in tax inspection. He was in charge of all the cases related to the alleged tax avoidance in the sale of the Shin Corp shares to Singapore-based Temasek Holdings.
"I am not disheartened doing my job," he said.
He shrugged off attempts to counter-sue him by those accused by the ASC. At present, the panel is facing a lawsuit demanding 1.5 billion baht in damages, he said.
"People should not avoid paying tax, because we need tax revenue to bring improvements to the nation." he said.
Saowanee Asavaroj is a legal expert on constitution and once served as a Constitution Court judge.
She headed the ASC sub-panel investigating the case involving Krung Thai Bank's approval of a 4.5-billion-baht loan for Krissada Mahanakhon group and an inquiry panel on the troubled Central Lab project.
"I did not hesitate to accept the ASC job, because my family has served this country for generations," she said. Ms Saowanee said corrupt people were motivated by an endless greed for money and power.
"But I have never been threatened or lobbied since I took the job. This may be because I am a straightforward type," she said.
"If you do your job with integrity, then you should have no worries."
Banjerd Singkhaneti, a former law lecturer at Thammasat University, said he was surprised the coupmakers nominated him as an ASC member.
He said he was not good at scrutinising anyone. The constitution was his main interest.
"At first, it was hard to adjust, because none of the panel members knew each other personally.
"But we have something in common - each of us realises that we must be impartial and honest," he said.
On life after the committee, Mr Banjerd said: "From now on, I can ease up. I will go back to teaching."
Another ASC member, Udom Fuangfung, said he will be back on the court bench as a senior judge.
He said he was never put off by the risk of those accused by the ASC taking revenge on him.
"If we have to suffer so that society can survive and righteousness is upheld, then so be it," he said.
Like her colleagues, Jaruvan Maintaka said she felt like a huge burden was lifted from her shoulders when she heard her stint at the ASC was coming to an end.
"I had been under pressure constantly since I took the job. But I don't care, I just take it in stride," she said.
Khunying Jaruvan stressed that in doing its duty, the ASC does not feel any malice towards anyone. Its inquiries are based on evidence and proof, she said.
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