The censure debate may have ended on Saturday with the government comfortably surviving the censure motion, but the post-debate aftermath has begun.
While MPs and the government have reportedly discussed a cabinet reshuffle, firebrand activist Srisuwan Janya will today lodge a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), asking the state corruption-buster to launch an investigation into an accusation that a 100,000-baht payment was purportedly given to MPs after they met Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Friday -- the day before MPs voted on the censure motion.
Despite the evidence being just a screenshot of a Line chat from an unknown source, the NACC must be vigilant in pursuing the investigation to the end. If left unresolved, the accusation will only corrode faith in our parliamentary system and further damage trust in our MPs.
The accusation again puts the spotlight on claims of money politics that dictate law passing, filibusters or the outcome of censure debates in our parliament and political system.
Under this vicious political game, the bigger and wealthy parties are believed to "feed" MPs from small and medium parties with "bananas" -- known as favours in the form of money and bargained positions, in exchange for endorsements.
The accusation came the day before MPs cast votes for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and other 10 ministers. The accusation is reported to be an act of vengeance by Capt Thamanat Prompow, head of the Setthakij Thai Party, after some MPs from the so-called Group 16 refused to vote against the prime minister and some ministers.
So far, the evidence is far from conclusive. A leaked online chat shows names of MPs, bank accounts as well as unspecific conversations.
With an ounce of political will, the NACC could easily dig deeper, authenticate the clip and trace the money trail and the origins of the informant with little difficulty. The agency must find out whether the accusation has grounds or is just a political bluff. The agency must also find out whether MPs -- alleged to be members of the Group of 16 -- actually received money and for what reason.
Most of all, the NACC must probe where the money came from and the mastermind behind it.
According to anti-corruption law, an MP is barred from receiving cash or valuables exceeding 3,000 baht from anyone who is not a relative. If he/she has received cash or valuables worth more than 3,000 baht, he/she must report it to the house speaker within 30 days.
The house speaker will then judge whether the gift is appropriate or not. If not, the speaker will order the gift to be returned to the owner.
Failing to report to the house speaker in 30 days leaves an MP liable to three years in prison and/or a fine of 60,000 baht.
If the allegations are true, it is a complete humiliation of the House and the Prayut-led government that had pledged to wage war against corruption and promised to make politics clean and MPs ethical.
The case is not just a powder keg for the accused MPs and political parties, it's also a test case for the NACC which has faced a barrage of public criticism in handling probes into powerful politicians in the government. The agency's credibility will be at stake if it fails to deliver a credible investigation into this latest parliamentary scandal.
