Corrupt officials thieves, traitors, Prem says in anti-graft address
PRIVY Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda yesterday condemned corrupt officials as being traitors who rob the country and citizens every day despite ongoing anti-graft efforts.
Prem was delivering a special address at the National Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters to mark International Anti-Corruption Day.
The NACC teamed up with other agencies to hold a “Transparent Thailand’’ event to create anti-corruption awareness among Thais. The event featured exhibitions, student debates and Thammasat Chinese Opera related to anti-graft issues.
Prem said that in his view corruption meant robbing the country.
“Despite anti-graft efforts, corruption has escalated into policy that eats into the country’s economic structure. Corruption poses the biggest security threat because it causes the country to become poorer,” he said.
Prem quoted statistics from the Thai Chamber of Commerce that the country loses about Bt161 billion to corrupt state officials and politicians.
He called on Thais to join forces with state agencies to fight corruption through the “Transparent Thailand” campaign.
“We must disclose public information and uphold honesty and transparency,” he said. “We must not allow evil people to rob the country every day. We must find ways to eradicate them from our country.”
He said corruption had become deeply ingrained in Thai society, as many surveys have shown that Thais accept corruption as normal practice.
“Thais see nepotism and corruption as normal. This attitude is dangerous and causes the country to lose huge development opportunities,” he said.
Prem said that as a first step, Thais had to behave transparently. “Superiors must be role models for subordinates in becoming transparent and possessing anti-graft awareness and upholding morality.”
Second, Thais must forgo nepotism. “We must not assist people who corrupt and cheat, regardless of whether they are parents, spouses, children or relatives.”
Third, corrupt people are shameful, as they are traitors to the country. “We must not socialise or associate with them,” he said.
Fourth, instilling anti-corruption awareness must start with the young. “Students must be taught good governance and realise the malignancy of corruption. They must take pride in being honest and not being corrupt.”
Fifth, the business sector must set an example by operating without being corrupt.
Sixth, Thais must not allow corrupt people to escape the arm of the law and must deride corrupt officials.
Seventh, Thais must support the work of the NACC because it has limited resources.
Eighth, executives of every agency must be “clean” by strictly following the law and setting up effective checking systems.
Ninth, there must by a national campaign against corruption created through media such as television programmes. “Every day, make people hear, see and understand that corruption is a grave crime against the country and how corruption damages the country,” he said.
Tenth, the country must have tough anti-corruption laws. “The justice procedures for corruption cases must be swift – no loopholes in laws, and punishment must be drastic and heavy,” he said.
Prem also called on people to return their gratitude to the motherland by helping fight corruption.
“It is the duty of everyone. We will not see Thailand becoming transparent if people say, ‘Opposing graft is none of my business,’ or ‘I do not want to create enemies,’” he said.
