NACC:Date on probe conclusion against Thailand's Caretaker PM not yet fixed

BANGKOK, May 2 (TNA) - The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has not yet fixed the date on its conclusion of a pending probe against Thailand's Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on her alleged negligence in her administration's loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme. An NACC member, Wicha Mahakhun, told journalists on Friday that his anti-graft panel needs to carefully probe against the caretaker prime minister concerning her government's controversial rice-pledging scheme and cannot fix the date on its final ruling for the time being. Wicha acknowledged that the anti-graft panel has worked on the case untiringly and once the investigation is completed, it will be forwarded to an NACC meeting for a further scrutiny; so, he cannot say now when the investigation will be completed. Asked whether the NACC is worried over a planned rally by pro-government protesters in a show of force if it ruled that the caretaker prime minister was guilty on the case, Wicha said the NACC is “not worried”, as it has never involved in politics. Regarding the NACC's requesting the Lawyers Council of Thailand to take action against the caretaker prime minister's lawyers team for what is considered its improper behaviour regarding its announcement last Tuesday to file a case against the NACC with a court concernign the anti-graft panel's refusal to testify more witnesses of the case, as sought by the caretaker prime minister, Wicha stated that the caretaker prime minister lawyers team's move was considered intimidating his independent body and his agency is, therefore, taking action against it. (TNA)