pm promises investigation into the cost of cabinet audio system
nathapat promkaew
anapat deechuay the nation
prime minister general prayuth chan-ocha has said there will be a probe into the purchase of an alleged overpriced audio system for the cabinet's meeting room.
Prayuth yesterday urged the public not to make a premature judgement on the matter and to be patient while waiting for the results of the investigation.
His remarks came as a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Vicha Mahakun, sarcastically labelled the audio system as being in the "heavenly realm" because of the price.
The NACC wi investigate the matter too,said Vicha, adding that a working time frame had not yet been established as it depended on the validity of the allegation.
Prayuth's remarks followed days of public outcry over the purchase of 89 microphones that come with LCD(liquid crystal display ) screens. They were installed in Government House's cabinet meeting room after being quoted at Bt145000 each.
He urged the public to thinkpositively as he atated his case at length.
"Let us look at it in a good way.If you say there was an intention ( to cheat)then i don't think that's the case" he said.
"Do you really know what it's really all about? I don't.But I will probe it .We will probe all such cases, don't worry.
"Be patient.Don't pressure us. Don't judge thingsby yourself. Let the(investigation )committee make the judgement . Let the agency scrutinise it and the prime minister will have to take care of it.
"We have said we don't want to see corruption,and the people must have trust in our work. That's all. We are careful with every step we take but I must say that many people were involved(in the procurement of the sound system,so we must examine where it went right or wrong.
Vicha criticised the purchase dur-ing a public lecturebon fighting cor-ruption and its link to laws and the economy.
He said everyone knew the mar-ket price and he called for trans-parency.