JUSTICE: The cabinet yesterday approved a bill proposed by the Justice Ministry to make the Public AntiCorruption Commission (PACC) an independent body.
Government deputy spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said under the proposal the PACC will gain the same independent status as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and report directly to the prime minister.
He said the new PACC will comprise of six members with a seven-year tenure and would be authorised to order transfers of the accused to help investigations and file lawsuits within six months if the prosecution refuses to indict the accused.
The government, the NACC and the Office of the Auditor-General will nominate five candidates each and forward the nominees to a screening committee. From the 10, six will be selected and their nomination will be submitted for royal endorsement by the prime minister.