Secretariat Department director-general Pinpas Sariwat raised some eyebrows yesterday when he made an elaborate and formal apology to Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat over the military reshuffle row.
Secretariat Department director-general Pinpas Sariwat performs a wai as a gesture of apology to ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat at the defence minister’s office.
The move followed ACM Sukumpol's order transferring Gen Pinpas, permanent secretary Sathian Phoemthongin and deputy permanent secretary Chatree Thatti to work in his office at the Defence Ministry.
ACM Sukumpol cited a leak of the military reshuffle list to justify the transfers amid reports that the three senior officials were opposed to his choice for the new defence permanent secretary.
The defence minister backs assistant army chief Gen Thanongsak Apirakyothin as the permanent secretary, while the senior officers support deputy defence permanent secretary Gen Chatree.
Gen Pinpas turned up at the defence minister's office with flowers, a candle and joss sticks and asked to see ACM Sukumpol to apologise.
Gen Pinpas said after the meeting that the defence minister's order was in compliance with procedures and that he had acted within his power.
"I accept blame and I am repentant for what I've done. We're brothers and it's good to know he has forgiven me," he said.
ACM Sukumpol said yesterday that the transfer order stands, adding that he holds no grudges against the officer.
In his order, he made deputy defence permanent secretary Withawat Ratchatanant acting defence permanent secretary.
Gen Withawat will also sit on the appointment and reshuffle committee in place of Gen Sathian.
Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa yesterday told ACM Sukumpol to make sure he did not violate any regulations when appointing the acting defence permanent secretary to the military reshuffle committee.
Gen Yutthasak said his concern involves the 1968 Defence Ministry regulation involving management of human resources.
"I don't know if the acting permanent secretary can perform the duty of permanent secretary. He needs to carefully study it," Gen Yutthasak said.
He said that he has raised the matter with ACM Sukumpol who insists that he has acted in line with regulations.
Gen Yutthasak said he has recommended that ACM Sukumpol call a meeting with the Defence Council to clarify the matter.
Gen Yutthasak said the defence minister must have a good reason to nominate Gen Thanongsak as the new permanent secretary.
Army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday declined to comment on the transfers, saying they were within the authority of the defence minister and there is a law governing the use of such power.
He shrugged off Gen Sathian's warning that the armed forces leaders may find themselves in a similar situation.
"Who would do that when I've done nothing wrong?" he said.
Gen Prayuth said political interference cannot be totally ruled out in the military reshuffle because the defence minister is a political appointee.
The army chief said the reshuffle list is prepared by the armed forces but it requires review by the Defence Ministry's board. He also said that the choice of the new permanent secretary has not been finalised.
Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday criticised ACM Sukumpol's move, saying it may not be justified.
"State officials are obliged to implement government policy. By policy, it is about national administration, not political goals," he said. "I don't see how the transferred officials did anything that obstructs the policy."
Democrat list-MP Ong-art Klampaibul said the transfers indicated clear political interference in the military reshuffle.
He said there had been attempts to amend the Defence Act to allow politicians to have a say in the military reshuffle but they failed.