Ethics probe of ex-minister Saksayam sought

Petitioner Srisuwan Janya asks anti-graft body to follow up court ruling in asset-concealment case

Ethics probe of ex-minister Saksayam sought
Petitioner Srisuwan Janya says he will ask the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to take up an ethics investigation against former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob. (File photo)

Prolific petitioner Srisuwan Janya says he will ask the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to launch an ethics investigation against former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob in connection with his ownership of a construction firm that was awarded government contracts.

The move followed a Constitutional Court ruling on Wednesday that formally terminated the ministerial status of Mr Saksayam after finding he hid his construction shareholding behind a nominee.

Mr Saksayam served as transport minister in the previous government until he was suspended after the asset concealment allegations arose. After Wednesday’s ruling he resigned as secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, a partner in the present coalition.

Mr Srisuwan said Mr Saksayam’s actions might be tantamount to serious violations of ethical standards under Section 219 of the constitution.

The NACC has the authority to file a Section 219 complaint in the Supreme Court. The court in September last year imposed a lifetime political ban on Pannika Wanich, a key figure in the Progressive Movement, under the same section following a complaint brought before the NACC by Mr Srisuwan.

In the Pannika case, the court found she violated ethical standards for failing to remove decade-old pictures from social media that some people complained were disrespectful to the monarchy. She never faced any criminal action in connection with the posts.

The case against Mr Saksayam dates back to last year when a group of 54 MPs sought a ruling from the House speaker on the minister’s status, as he was found to still be the owner of Burijarearn Construction Co

Mr Saksayam’s declaration of assets and liabilities to the NACC might have been incorrect regarding his shares in Silachai Buriram (1991) Co and Burijarearn Construction, said Mr Srisuwan.

In its 7:1 ruling on Wednesday, the Constitutional Court said that based on inconsistencies in his statements and irregular circumstances, it believed Mr Saksayam continued to hold shares in Burijarearn Construction and ran the firm the firm through Supawat Kasemsut, who served as his nominee.

Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset, another key figure in the Bhumjaithai Party, said on Thursday that Mr Saksayam respected the court’s ruling, while insisting that he had not committed any wrongdoing as it was a matter for the company.

Mr Chada said the case did not adversely affect the party because it did not involve any corruption.

Mr Saksayam’s brother, Newin Chidchob, is a founder of the Bhumjaithai Party and a highly influential figure in Buri Ram province.

Mr Saksayam could serve again as the party’s secretary-general and come back as a minister, said Mr Chada.