The government has ordered the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to review its list of 100 corrupt state officials and gather more evidence to back graft allegations against them and find out why justice has been delayed.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngarm said Thursday records concerning some of the 100 officials suspected of graft still lacked clear proof of their guilt. To ensure fairness the PACC had been instructed to submit additional evidence. The list had only a few flawed cases.
Some officials on the list were accused of corruption several years ago, but no action had been taken against them so far.
He said he ordered the PACC to examine the causes of the delay and see whether negligence or intervention by the superiors of the accused were involved.
“Action in this matter has taken place, but it seems to be too slow. This is the reason why we need to bring these people into the light,” Mr Wissanu said.
“If bosses help their henchmen and cause delays, then we must punish the bosses too, not only the person accused of graft.”
The PACC, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Auditor-General prepared the list and submitted it to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha early this month.
Mr Wissanu said he met with PACC secretary-general Prayong Preeyajit on Wednesday evening and clarified the cases that have insufficient evidence.
He was told the PACC would submit a second list of alleged corrupt officials to the government, but did not know when.
Officials at the most senior C10 and C11 ranks who face a corruption probe or are found guilty will be moved from their ministries to the Prime Minister's Office.
Whether the transfer will be temporary or permanent has not been decided yet. Lower-ranked officials can be transferred to different departments within their own ministries, he added.