Yingluck defends rice scheme in high court

Yingluck is facing accusations of negligence of official duty in the subsidy programme, which allegedly cost the state more than Bt500 billion.

In her hour-long testimony she said the programme benefited farmers nationwide. During her tenure, from 2011 to 2013, the percentage of the poor decreased and 86.5 per cent of the farmers were satisfied with the scheme. 

She said the programme’s budget did not exceed the fixed working capital of Bt500 billion while the losses estimated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) were inaccurate as rice stocks have not been fully sold. 

The verdict of the case would have an impact on the whole country, she said. “If I am found guilty, the next government might not dare to initiate any policy beneficial to the farmers. 

 

Rice scheme ‘contributed to country’s economy’

 

“The rice scheme was public policy that could not gain a profit. It contributed to the country’s economy as a whole. How come you calculate only loss and profit like an enterprise?”

She said she was not treated fairly, as the NACC had rushed to prosecute her and did not question her witnesses before forwarding the case to the Supreme Court. 

The NACC accused her of failing to stop graft and losses over the rice programme in her capacity as prime minister and chairman of the National Rice Policy Committee. 

On civil liability, she said, an official confidential document shows that a fact-finding committee was tasked to estimate the programme’s losses and forward its report to the Comptroller-General’s Department quickly without having to consider “the justice issue”.

She said she could not revoke the scheme as it was approved by Parliament and it was her duty to carry it forward. 

“The scheme was run after the Cabinet’s resolution. I myself could not stop the ongoing programme because no concerned agencies … called for its dissolution,” she said. 

She expressing her sorrow at her treatment by the NACC and asking for justice from the court. After she gave her testimony, prosecutors asked her about 100 questions. With her voice trembling at times, she replied while maintaining her innocence. 

On a number of occasions the court warned prosecutors not to ask for Yingluck’s opinions and to ask questions relating to the facts of the case. Earlier, the court also told defence lawyers not to ask “confusing and roundabout” questions. 

When she arrived in court, more than 100 red-shirt supporters cheered and shouted “fighting PM”. 

The ex-prime minister smiled with tears in her eyes as she received bunches of red roses from the crowd.