The Move Forward Party (MFP) on Tuesday petitioned the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to probe Social Development and Human Security Minister Juti Krairiksh’s alleged misconduct in connection with a state housing development project.
The move followed the recent no-confidence debate in July, in which the opposition MFP had alleged Mr Juti committed malfeasance in office and abused his authority in approving the Keha Sukpracha housing project, operated by the National Housing Authority (NHA).
Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, the party's Bangkok MP who submitted the petition to the NACC on Tuesday, said he had handed over all evidence about the alleged lawbreaking obtained by his party to the graft-busting agency for investigation.
The alleged misconduct is related to hiring a contractor to work on the project’s construction site as well as the subcontracting process, which is claimed to have benefited Community and Estate Management Co (CEMCO), according to Mr Nattacha.
During the censure debate, Mr Juti, a core member of the coalition Democrat Party, was also accused of misconduct in connection with the establishment of Keha Sukpracha Plc to manage the assets of the NHA, Mr Nattacha added.
The MFP also asked the NACC to investigate whether Mr Juti had committed a serious violation of ethics as a member of parliament, with such actions prohibited under the 2018 organic law on preventing and suppressing corruption, said Mr Nattacha.
Along with the request to investigate Mr Juti, the MFP also petitioned the agency to look into the actions of Charerat Pingkhalasai, a member of the NHA’s board, and Taweebhong Wichaidit, the NHA governor.
The MFP has grounds to believe the two officials may have abused their authority in passing decisions regarding the procurement and hiring contracts in the housing project, which could be deemed an offence under the Criminal Code’s Sections 151, 152 and 157, Mr Nattacha said.
Sections 151, 152 and 157 pertain to offences related to abuse of authority, conflict of interest and malfeasance in office by a state official, respectively.
