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ORGANIC ACT ON COUNTER CORRUPTION, B.E. 2542 (1999)
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BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, REX. Given on the 8th
Day of November B.E. 2542; Being the 54th Year of the Present
Reign.
His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is graciously pleased to proclaim
that: Whereas it is expedient to have the organic law on counter
corruption; Be
it, therefore, enacted by the King, by and with the advice and
consent of the National Assembly, as follows:
Section 1. This Act shall be called the
"Organic Act on Counter Corruption, B.E. 2542
(1999)". Section 2. This Act shall
come into force as from the day following the date of its
publication in the Government Gazette. * Section 3. There
shall be
repealed:
(1) The Counter
Corruption Act, B.E. 2518
(1975);
(2) The Counter
Corruption Act (No. 2), B.E. 2530
(1987);
(3) The Act on the
Declaration of Assets and Liabilities of Senators and Members of the
House of Representatives, B.E. 2539
(1996); Section 4. In this Organic
Act: "State official" means a person holding a
political position, Government official or local official assuming a
position or having permanent salaries, official or person performing
duties in a State enterprise or a State agency, local administrator
and member of a local assembly who is not a person holding a
political position, official under the law on local administration
and shall include a member of a Board, Commission, Committee or of a
sub-committee, employee of a Government agency, State enterprise or
State agency and person or group of persons exercising or entrusted
to exercise the State's administrative power in the performance of a
particular act under the law, whether established under the
governmental bureaucratic channel or by a State enterprise or other
State
undertaking; "person holding a political position"
means:
(1) Prime
Minister;
(2)
Minister;
(3) member of the House of
Representatives;
(4)
senator;
(5) political official other than (1) and (2) under the law on
political
officials;
(6) political parliamentary official under the law on parliamentary
officials;
(7) Governor of Bangkok Metropolitan, Deputy Governor of Bangkok
Metropolitan and member of the Bangkok Metropolitan
Assembly;
(8) executive member and member of a Nakhon Municipality Council;
(9) local administrator or member of a local assembly of a local
government organisation the income or budget of which is not lower
than that prescribed in the Government Gazette by the National
Counter Corruption
Commission; "person holding a high-ranking position" means
the person holding the position as head of a Government agency at
the level of a Department, Sub-Ministry or Ministry in respect of
ordinary Government officials, the person holding the position as
Commander of a National Force or Commander-in-chief in respect of
military officials, the person holding the position as Commander of
the National Royal Thai Police Force, the person holding the
position as Permanent-Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan
Administration, member of the Board the top executive of a State
enterprise or head of an independent agency under the Constitution
which enjoys the status of a juristic person, or the person holding
the position prescribed by other
laws; "injured person" means the person injured by
the commission of the act giving rise to unusual wealthiness of a
State official, the commission of an offence of malfeasance in
office under the Penal Code or the commission of an offence of
malfeasance or corruption under other
laws; "alleged culprit" means the person who is
alleged to have committed, or who is under the circumstance apparent
to the National Counter Corruption Commission as indicating the
commission of, an act which prima facie constitutes a basis for the
removal from office, the criminal proceedings, the lodging of a
request that assets devolve on the State or the initiation of a
disciplinary action as provided in this Organic Act, and shall also
include the principal, instigator or aider and abetter in the
commission of the said act; "President" means the
President of the National Counter Corruption
Commission; "member" means a member of the National
Counter Corruption
Commission;
"member of a sub-committee" means a
member of a sub-committee on national counter corruption appointed
by the National Counter Corruption Commission to perform activities
under this Organic
Act; "Secretary-General" means the Secretary-General
of the National Counter Corruption
Commission;
"competent official" means the
Secretary-General and the Government official attached to the Office
of the National Counter Corruption Commission, including the
Government official or official assisting in the official service of
the Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission, entrusted
by the National Counter Corruption Commission to perform activities
under this Organic
Act; "corruption" means the performance or omission
of a particular act in office or in the course of official duty, or
the performance or omission of a particular act under the
circumstance likely to cause other persons to believe that the
person so performing or omitting holds such office or has such duty
although the office or duty is not held or assumed by such person,
or the exercise of power in office or in the course official duty
with a view to acquiring undue benefits for his or her own or for
other persons;
"unusual increase of assets" means the
phenomenon where the assets and liabilities listed in the account
showing assets and liabilities submitted by the person holding a
political position upon vacation of office differ from the account
showing assets and liabilities submitted at the time of taking
office, in the manner that the assets unusually increase or
liabilities unusually
decrease; "unusual wealthiness" means having an unusually
large quantity of assets, having an unusual increase of assets,
having an unusual decrease of liabilities or having illegitimate
acquisition of assets in a consequence of the performance of duties
or the exercise of power in office or in the course of
duty. Section 5. The President of the National
Counter Corruption Commission shall have charge and control of the
execution of this Organic Act and shall have the power to issue
notifications or regulations and appoint competent officials with
the approval of the National Counter Corruption Commission for the
execution of this Organic Act. The notification and regulation
under paragraph one which are of general application shall enter
into force upon their publication in the Government Gazette.
CHAPTER I National
Counter Corruption Commission _______________
Section 6. There shall be the National Counter
Corruption Commission called the "N.C.C. Commission." in brief,
consisting of the President and other eight qualified members
appointed by the King with the advice of the
Senate. Section 7. The selection and election of
members shall be conducted as
follows:
(1) the President of the Senate shall cause to be established the
Selection Committee of fifteen members, consisting of the President
of the Supreme Court of Justice, the President of the Constitutional
Court, the President of the Supreme Administrative Court, Rectors of
all State higher education institutions which are juristic persons,
being elected among themselves to be seven in number, and
representatives of all political parties having a member who is a
member of the House of Representatives, provided that each party
shall have one representative and all such representatives shall
elect among themselves to be five in number; and the Selection
Committee shall have the duties to select and prepare a list of
names of eighteen qualified persons and submit it to the President
of the Senate with the consent of the nominated persons within
thirty days as from the date when a ground for the selection of
persons to be in such office occurs. The resolution making such
nomination must be passed by votes of not less than three-fourths of
the total number of the existing members of the Selection
Committee;
(2) the President of the Senate shall convoke a sitting of the
Senate for the purpose of passing a resolution, by secret ballot,
electing the nominated persons in the list under (1). For this
purpose, the persons who receive the highest votes which are more
than one-half of the total number of the existing senators shall be
elected as members, but if the number of the persons who are elected
and receive the highest votes which are more than one-half of the
total number of the existing senators is less than nine, the
name-list of the remaining nominees shall be submitted to the
senators for voting on another occasion consecutively. In such case,
the persons receiving the highest votes in respective order in the
specified number shall be elected as members. If there are persons
receiving equal votes in any order which result in having more than
nine persons, the President of the Senate shall draw lots to
determine who are elected
persons. The
persons elected as members under (2) shall meet and elect one among
themselves to be President and shall, then, notify the President of
the Senate of result
thereof. The
President of the Senate shall countersign the Royal Command
appointing the President and
members. Section 8. The persons nominated for
election as members must be of apparent integrity, with
qualifications under section 9 and without any of the prohibitions
under section
10. Section 9. The persons nominated for election
as members must be of the following
qualifications:
(1) being of Thai nationality by
birth;
(2) being of not less than forty five years of
age;
(3) having, in the past, been a Minister, judge of the
Constitutional Court, Election Commissioner, Ombudsman, member of
the National Human Rights Commission, member of the State Audit
Commission, or serving or having, in the past, served in the
position not lower than Deputy Prosecutor-General, Director-General
or its equivalent, or holding the position not lower than
Professor. Section 10. The persons nominated for election
as members must not be under any of the following prohibitions:
(1) being a member of the House of Representatives, senator,
political official, member of a local assembly or local
administrator;
(2) being or having, in the past, been a member or a person holding
other position of a political party over the period of three years
before the date of the
nomination;
(3) being a judge of the Constitutional Court, Election
Commissioner, Ombudsman, member of the National Human Rights
Commission, judge of an Administrative Court or member of the State
Audit
Commission;
(4) being of unsound mind or of mental
infirmity;
(5) being a Buddhist priest, novice, monk or
clergy;
(6) being detained by a warrant of the Court or by a lawful
order;
(7) being under suspension of the right to
vote;
(8) being addicted to
drugs;
(9) being an undischarged
bankrupt;
(10) having been sentenced by a judgment to imprisonment and being
detained by a warrant of the
Court;
(11) having been discharged for a period of less than five years on
the nomination day after being sentenced by a judgment to
imprisonment for a term of two years or more except for an offence
committed through
negligence;
(12) having been expelled, dismissed or removed from the official
service, a State agency or a State enterprise on the ground of
corruption or deemed
corruption;
(13) having been ordered by a judgment or an order of the Court that
his or her assets shall devolve upon the State on the ground of
unusual wealthiness or an unusual increase of
assets;
(14) being under the prohibition from holding a political position
under section 34 and section
41;
(15) having been removed from office by the resolution of the
Senate, provided that, from the date of the resolution to the
nomination day, the period of five years has not
elapsed. Section 11. The person elected as member shall
not:
(1) be a Government official holding a permanent position or
receiving
salaries;
(2) be an official or employee of a State agency, State enterprise
or local administration, or be a member of the Board or counsel of a
State enterprise or State
agency;
(3) hold any position in a partnership, a company or an organisation
carrying out businesses for sharing profits or incomes, or be an
employee of any
person;
(4) engage in any other independent profession. When the Senate
has elected the person in (1), (2), (3) or (4) with the consent of
that person, the elected person can commence the performance of
duties only when he or she has resigned from the position in (1),
(2), (3) or has adduced evidence to the satisfaction that his or her
engagement in the independent profession in (4) has ceased to exist.
This must be done within fifteen days as from the date of election.
If that person has not resigned or ceased to engage in the
independent profession within the specified time, it shall be deemed
that that person has never been elected as member and the provisions
of section 14 shall
apply. Section 12. Members shall hold office for a
term of nine years as from the date of their appointment by the King
and shall serve for only one
term. Members
who vacate office at the expiration of term shall remain in office
to continue to perform their duties until the newly appointed
members take
office. Section 13. In addition to the vacation of
office at the expiration of the term under section 12, members
vacate office
upon:
(1)
death;
(2) having attained the age of seventy
years;
(3)
resignation;
(4) being disqualified under section 9 or being under any of the
prohibitions under section
10;
(5) violation of section
11;
(6) being removed by a resolution of Senate under section
16;
(7) being sentenced by a judgment to
imprisonment.
When the circumstance under paragraph one occurs, the remaining
members may continue to perform duties and it shall be deemed that
the N.C.C. Commission consists of the existing
members. Section 14. Upon vacation of office of a
member, the proceeding under section 7 shall be commenced within
thirty days as from the date of
vacation. In the
case where a member vacates office under section 13, the provisions
of section 7 shall apply mutatis mutandis. In this case, the
Selection Committee shall prepare and submit to the President of the
Senate a name-list of qualified persons in the number two times the
number of the persons having vacated
office. In the
case where a member vacates office while the National Assembly is
not in session, the proceeding under section 7 shall be commenced
within thirty days as from the date of the opening of the National
Assembly's
session. Section 15. Members shall submit an account
showing particulars of their assets and liabilities, their spouses
and children who have not yet become sui juris to the President of
the National Assembly upon taking or vacating office, and the
provisions of section 32, section 33, section 35 paragraph one and
paragraph three, section 41 and section 119 shall apply mutatis
mutandis. Section 16. Members of the House of
Representatives of not less than one-fourth of the total number of
the existing members of the House have the right to lodge with the
President of the Senate a complaint that any member has acted
unjustly, intentionally violated the Constitution or laws or has
been under any circumstance which is seriously detrimental to the
dignity of the holding of office, in order to request the Senate to
pass a resolution removing that member from
office. The
resolution of the Senate removing the member from office under
paragraph one shall be passed by votes of not less than
three-fourths of the total number of the existing members of the
Senate. Section 17. Members of the House of
Representatives, senators or members of both Houses of not less than
one-fourth of the total number of the existing members of both
Houses have the right to lodge with the Supreme Court of Justice's
Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions a request
wherein it is alleged that any member has become unusually wealthy
or has committed an offence of corruption or malfeasance in
office. The
request under paragraph one shall clearly itemise the circumstance
in which such person has allegedly committed the act under paragraph
one and shall be submitted to the President of the Senate. Upon
receipt of the said request, the President of the Senate shall refer
it to the Supreme Court of Justice's Criminal Division for Persons
Holding Political Positions for trial and
adjudication. In
the case where the Supreme Court of Justice's Criminal Division for
Persons Holding Political Positions gives an order admitting the
request, the alleged member shall not perform his or her duty until
the Supreme Court of Justice's Criminal Division for Persons Holding
Political Positions has passed a judgment dismissing the said
request. The
proceedings in Court shall be in accordance with the organic law on
criminal proceedings for persons holding political
positions. Section 18. Salaries,
emoluments and other benefits of the President and members shall be
in accordance with the laws on such particular matters.
CHAPTER
II Powers and Duties of the National Counter Corruption
Commission _______________
Section 19. The N.C.C. Commission shall have
the following powers and
duties:
(1) to inquire into facts, summarise the case and prepare the
opinion to be submitted to the Senate under Chapter 5, Removal from
Office;
(2) to inquire into facts, summarise the case and prepare the
opinion to be referred to the Prosecutor-General for the purpose of
prosecution before the Supreme Court of Justice's Criminal Division
for Persons Holding Political Positions under Chapter 6, Criminal
Proceedings Against Persons Holding Political Positions under
section 308 of the
Constitution;
(3) to inquire and decide whether a State official has become
unusually wealthy or has committed an offence of corruption,
malfeasance in office or malfeasance in judicial
office;
(4) to inspect the accuracy and actual existence of assets and
liabilities of State officials and inspect change of assets and
liabilities of the persons holding political positions under Chapter
3, Inspection of Assets and
Liabilities;
(5) to prescribe rules with respect to the determination of
positions and classes or levels of State officials obliged to submit
an account showing particulars of assets and
liabilities;
(6) to prescribe rules and procedures for the submission of the
account showing particulars of assets and liabilities of State
officials and the disclosure of accounts showing particulars of
assets and liabilities of persons holding the position of Prime
Minister and
Minister;
(7) to submit an inspection report and a report on the performance
of duties together with remarks to the Council of Ministers, the
House of Representatives and the Senate annually and publish these
reports for
dissemination;
(8) to propose measures, opinions or recommendations to the Council
of Ministers, National Assembly, Courts or State Audit Commission
for the purpose of improving the performance of government service
or formulating action plans or projects of Government agencies,
State enterprises or other State agencies in an endeavour to control
corruption and the commission of an offence of malfeasance in office
or malfeasance in judicial
office;
(9) to refer matters to the agency concerned for the purpose of
making a request to the Court for an order or judgment cancelling or
revoking a right or document of title in respect of which the State
official has given approval or granted permission conferring the
rights or benefits or issued the document of title to a particular
person in contravention of the law or official regulations to the
detriment of the Government service;
(10) to take action with a view to preventing corruption and
building up attitudes and taste concerning integrity and honesty,
and to take such action as to facilitate members of the public or
groups of persons to have participation in counter corruption;
(11) to give approval to the appointment of the
Secretary-General;
(12) to appoint persons or a group of persons for performing duties
as
entrusted;
(13) to carry out other acts provided by this Organic Act or other
laws to be the responsibility of the N.C.C.
Commission. Section 20. At a
meeting of the N.C.C. Commission, the presence of not less than
one-half of the total number of the members is required to
constitute a quorum. But, a quorum for considering and making a
determination of a particular matter or for giving approval to a
particular matter shall be constituted by the presence of not less
than two-thirds of the total number of the
members. Section 21. A meeting shall be in
accordance with the regulations prescribed by the N.C.C.
Commission. The
calling for a meeting shall be in writing and notified to every
member not less than three days in advance unless such member has
known of the calling for a meeting at the previous meeting. In such
a case, the written notification of the calling for a meeting may be
made only to the members not present at the
meeting. The
provisions in paragraph two shall not apply in the case where there
occurs a compelling necessary urgency. In such a case, the President
may call for a meeting
otherwise. Section 22. The President has the power
and duty to conduct a meeting and, in the interest of its orderly
proceeding, shall have the power to give any order as is
necessary. If
the President is not present at the meeting or is unable to perform
the duty, the members present at the meeting shall elect one member
among themselves to preside over the
meeting. Section 23. A resolution of a meeting shall be
by a majority of votes, except that in the case of passing a
resolution making a determination or giving an approval in
accordance with the provisions of this Organic Act, the President
and members shall cast votes for the purpose of the resolution and
the resolution shall be passed by votes of not less than two-thirds
of the total number of the existing
member. In
casting votes, each member shall have one vote. In the case of an
equality of votes, the person presiding over the meeting shall have
an additional vote as a casting vote.
Section 24. There shall be written minutes of
each meeting. If
a dissenting opinion is presented, the dissenting opinion and
reasons invoked shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. If
minority members present their dissenting opinion in writing, it
shall also be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
Section 25. In the performance of duties under
this Organic Act, the N.C.C. Commission shall have the powers as
follows:
(1) to give an order instructing a Government official, official or
employee of a Government agency, State agency, State enterprise or
local administration to perform all such acts as are necessary for
the performance of duties of the N.C.C. Commission or to summon
relevant documents or evidence from any person or to summon any
person to give statements or testimonies, for the purpose of a fact
inquiry;
(2) to file an application with the competent Court for an issuance
of a warrant permitting an entry into a dwelling-place, place of
business or any other place including a vehicle of any person from
sunrise to sunset or during the working hours for the purposes of
inspecting, searching, seizing or attaching documents, property or
other evidence related to the matter under inquiry. If action is not
completed within such time, such action may be further taken until
its completion;
(3) to address a written request to a Government agency, State
agency, State enterprise, local administration or private agency to
carry out a particular act for the purpose of the performance of
duties of, or the conduct of a fact inquiry or the making of a
determination by, the N.C.C.
Commission;
(4) to prescribe regulations with respect to the rules and
procedures for the payment of per diem, travelling fees and
remuneration of a witness and in connection with the performance of
duties of competent officials or other matters, for the execution of
this Organic
Act;
(5) to prescribe the regulation with respect to the payment of a
reward under section
30. Section 26. In taking criminal proceedings
against a State official under this Organic Act, the N.C.C.
Commission shall have the powers as
follows:
(1) to inquire into facts and gather evidence in order for the facts
to be known or the offence to be proved and in order for the
offender to be prosecuted and
punished;
(2) to file an application with the competent Court for an issuance
of a warrant of arrest and custody of the alleged culprit who, from
the fact inquiry, appears to be an offender or against whom the
N.C.C. Commission has passed a resolution that the allegation has a
prima facie case, for the purpose of referring such person to the
Prosecutor-General for further proceeding.
Section 27. In the performance of duties under
this Organic Act, the President, the member or the Secretary-General
as entrusted by the President shall have the power to sign a written
communication carried out in accordance with the powers and duties
of the N.C.C. Commission.
Section 28. In the case where the President has
the duty to perform any act other than the conduct of a meeting and
is temporarily unable to perform the duty, the members shall elect
one member among themselves to act as the
President. Section 29. In the case where any member,
member of a sub-committee or competent official is directly or
indirectly interested in any particular matter, that person shall
not attend and participate in the fact inquiry, the consideration or
the determination of such
matter. Section 30. In conducting a fact inquiry in the
case of the allegation that a State official has become unusually
wealthy or in the inspection of the change of assets and liabilities
of a person holding a political position, if any person gives the
N.C.C. Commission a trace or clue, information or facts in
connection with assets or liabilities of the alleged culprit or the
person under inquiry, including the principal, instigator or the
aider and abetter and the giving of such trace or clue, information
or facts results in the assets which constitute the unusual
wealthiness or the unusually increased assets devolving on the State
by a final order of the Court, such person shall be entitled to the
reward in accordance with the regulation prescribed by the N.C.C.
Commission.
Section 31. In the performance of duties under this Organic Act, the
President, a member, a member of a sub-committee and a competent
official shall be an official under the Penal Code.
CHAPTER III Inspection of Assets and
Liabilities _______________
Part I Declaration of Accounts Showing Particulars
of Assets and Liabilities of Persons Holding Political
Positions _______________
Section 32. Persons holding political positions
shall, on each occasion of taking or vacating office, submit to the
N.C.C. Commission an account showing particulars of their assets and
liabilities and those of their spouses and children who have not yet
become sui juris as they actually exist on the date of the
submission, in accordance with the form prescribed by the N.C.C.
Commission. The
assets and liabilities which are subject to the declaration
requirement shall include assets and liabilities in foreign
countries and those which are not in possession of the declarers,
their spouses and children who have not become sui
juris. In the
case where any person holding a political position under paragraph
one hold more than one political position, such person shall submit
separate accounts showing particulars of assets and liabilities for
every position in accordance with the time prescribed for the
submission of the account in respect of such
position. Section 33. The account showing particulars of
assets and liabilities under section 32 shall be submitted together
with copies of the supporting documents evidencing the actual
existence of such assets and liabilities as well as a copy of the
personal income tax return for the previous fiscal year. The
declarer shall certify the accuracy of the account and copies of the
submitted documents by affixing his or her signature on every page
thereof, prepare lists of the supporting documents accompanying the
account showing particulars of assets and liabilities so submitted,
and shall make the submission within such time as
follows:
(1) in the case of the taking of office, within thirty days as from
the date of taking
office;
(2) in the case of the vacation of office, within thirty days as
from the date of the
vacation;
(3) in the case where the person holding a political position, who
has already submitted the account, dies while being in office or
before submitting the same after the vacation of office, an heir or
an administrator of an estate of such person shall submit an account
showing particulars of assets and liabilities existing on the date
of such person's death within ninety days as from the date of the
death. In
addition to the submission of the account under (2), the person
holding a political position, who vacates office, shall also
re-submit an account showing particulars of assets and liabilities
within thirty days as from the date of the expiration of one year
after the vacation of
office. Section 34. Any person holding a political
position intentionally fails to submit an account showing
particulars of assets and liabilities and supporting documents to
the N.C.C. Commission within the time prescribed by this Organic Act
or intentionally submits such account and supporting documents with
false statements being included therein or fails to disclose facts
which should have been disclosed, such person shall vacate Office as
from the date of the expiration of the time-limit prescribed for the
submission of the account showing particulars of assets and
liabilities or as from the date of the discovery of such act, as the
case may be, and such person shall not hold a political position for
the period of five years as from the date of the vacation of office.
For this purpose, the N.C.C. Commission shall refer the matter to
the Constitutional Court for final decision and, when the
Constitutional Court gives a final decision that it is the case of
an intentional submission of the account showing particulars of
assets and liabilities and supporting documents with false
statements being included therein or failure to disclose facts which
should have been disclosed, such person shall vacate the political
position currently held, without prejudice to the acts previously
done by such person while in
office. Section 35. When the account showing the
particulars of assets and liabilities and its supporting documents
under section 33 have been received, the President or the member as
entrusted by the President shall affix his or her signature on every
page of the
account. The
account and supporting documents under paragraph one submitted by
the Prime Minister and Ministers shall be disclosed to the public
without delay but not later than thirty days as from the date of the
expiration of the time-limit prescribed for the submission of such
account. The account of the persons holding other positions shall
not be disclosed to any person unless the disclosure will be useful
for the trial and adjudication of cases or for the making of a
determination and is requested by the courts or the State Audit
Commission. The
President shall convene a meeting of the N.C.C. Commission to
inspect the accuracy and the actual existence of assets and
liabilities without delay.
Section 36. In the case where the submission of
the account is made by reason of the vacation of office or death of
any person holding a political position, the N.C.C. Commission shall
inspect the change of assets and liabilities of such person and
prepare an inspection report. Such report shall be published in the
Government
Gazette. Section 37. In the case where any person
holding a political position vacates office or dies and it appears
that such person or his or her heir or administrator of the estate
intentionally fails to submit an account showing particulars of
assets and liabilities, the N.C.C. Commission shall have the power
to inspect the change of assets and liabilities of the person
holding the political position or of the estate without relying upon
the account showing particulars of assets and liabilities required
to be submitted under section 33 (2) and (3). For this purpose, the
N.C.C. Commission shall compare assets and liabilities which exist
on the date of the vacation of office or death with the account
showing particulars of assets and liabilities submitted at the time
of taking office and shall then prepare an inspection report and
publish it in the Government
Gazette. Section 38. In the case where the inspection
report reveals an unusual change of the property, the N.C.C.
Commission shall request the person holding the political position,
heirs or the administrator of the estate, as the case may be, to
explain the acquisition of such property before the N.C.C.
Commission passes a resolution that such person has an unusual
increase of
property. In the
case where it appears that any person holding a political position
has an unusual increase of assets, the President shall furnish all
existing documents together with the inspection report to the
Prosecutor-General for instituting prosecution in the Supreme Court
of Justice's Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political
Positions so that the unusually increased assets shall devolve on
the State, and the provisions of section 80 paragraph two shall
apply mutatis mutandis.
Part II Declaration
of an Account Showing Particulars of Assets and Liabilities of State
Officials _______________
Section 39. The persons holing the
following positions have the duty to submit to the N.C.C. Commission
an account showing particulars of their assets and liabilities and
those of their spouses and children who have not yet become sui
juris upon taking office, every three years while being in office
and upon vacation of office, in accordance with the form prescribed
by the N.C.C.
Commission.
(1) President of the Supreme Court of
Justice;
(2) President of the Constitutional
Court;
(3) President of the Supreme Administrative
Court;
(4)
Prosecutor-General;
(5) Election
Commissioner;
(6)
Ombudsman;
(7) judge of the Constitutional
Court;
(8) member of the State Audit
Commission;
(9) Vice President of the Supreme Court of Justice;
(10) Vice President of the Supreme Administrative
Court;
(11) Chief of the Military Judicial
Office;
(12) judge of the Supreme Court of
Justice;
(13) judge of the Supreme Administrative
Court;
(14) Deputy
Prosecutor-General;
(15) person holding a high-ranking position. The account showing
assets and liabilities upon vacation of office of the persons under
(1), (4), (9), (11), (12), (13), (14) and (15) shall be submitted
only when such persons cease to be State
officials. The
provisions of section 32, section 33 and section 35 paragraph one
and paragraph three shall apply to the declaration, submission and
receipt of the account showing particulars of assets and liabilities
and to the inspection of the accuracy and actual existence of the
assets and liabilities of the persons under paragraph one mutatis
mutandis. Section 40. For the purpose of the execution of
this Organic Act, the N.C.C. Commission has the power to prescribe
in the Government Gazette the positions of State officials, in
addition to those specified in section 39, who shall be under the
obligation to submit an account showing particulars of assets and
liabilities, and the provisions of section 39 shall apply mutatis
mutandis. Section 41. In the case where any person under
section 39 or section 40 who intentionally fails to submit an
account showing particulars of assets and liabilities and supporting
documents to the N.C.C. Commission within the time prescribed by
this Organic Act or intentionally submits an account showing
particulars of assets and liabilities and supporting documents with
false statements being included therein or fails to disclose facts
which should have been disclosed, such person shall vacate office as
from the date of the expiration of the time-limit prescribed for the
submission of the account or the date of the discovery of the said
act, as the case may be, and shall not take a position as a State
official for the period of five years as from the date of the
vacation of
office. Section 42. The N.C.C. Commission shall have
the power to order State officials holding positions other than
those specified in section 39 and section 40 to submit an account
showing particulars of their assets and liabilities and those of
their spouses and children who have not yet become sui juris, in
accordance with the rules, procedures and time prescribed in the
Government Gazette by the N.C.C. Commission. The State officials
designated by the N.C.C. Commission under paragraph one also have
the duty to submit an account showing particulars of assets and
liabilities periodically within thirty days as from the end of every
five-year period while in office. In such a case, particulars of
assets and liabilities which must be shown shall only be limited to
the items which vary from the last
submission. The
inspection of the account showing particulars of assets and
liabilities of State officials submitted under this section shall be
conducted on every occasion of its submission or upon approval by
the N.C.C. Commission in the event there appears to the N.C.C.
Commission a circumstance indicative of the unusual wealthiness of
such State officials or upon indication from the fact inquiry that
such State official has become unusually wealthy or committed an
offence of corruption or an offence of malfeasance in office or
malfeasance in judicial office or upon such person ceasing to be a
State official or being proximate to such cessation.
CHAPTER IV Fact
Inquiry _______________
Section 43. Subject section 44, the
N.C.C. Commission shall conduct a fact inquiry in accordance with
the provisions of this Chapter in the following
circumstances:
(1) the President of the Senate refers the matter to the N.C.C.
Commission for the purpose of a fact inquiry in consequence of the
lodging of a petition requesting the Senate to pass a resolution
removing the alleged culprit from office under section
59;
(2) the injured person lodges a request with the N.C.C. Commission
for the purpose of taking legal proceedings against the alleged
culprit under section
66;
(3) an allegation is lodged with the N.C.C. Commission for the
purpose of enabling the property to devolve on the State under
section
75;
(4) there is a reasonable cause to suspect that a State official has
become unusually wealthy under section 77 or has committed an
offence under section
88;
(5) an allegation is made to the N.C.C. Commission against a State
official under section 84. Section 44. The N.C.C.
Commission shall not conduct a fact inquiry in the following
circumstances:
(1) the matter to be inquired into is the matter in respect of which
the N.C.C. Commission has completed its fact inquiry and no fresh
evidence which is material to the inquiry is
found;
(2) the alleged culprit is the same person as the alleged culprit in
the matter under inquiry, of which the cause of the allegation is
the same. Section 45. In conducting the fact
inquiry under section 43, the N.C.C. Commission may appoint, for
conducting an inquiry on its behalf, an inquiry sub-committee which
shall consist of one member and competent officials and/or qualified
persons as designated by the N.C.C. Commission and shall have the
duty to acquire facts and gather evidence in order for the facts or
the offence to become
known. In
appointing an inquiry sub-committee, regard shall be had to the
appropriateness to the status and level of the position and the
reasonable protection of the alleged
culprit. The
performance of duties of the inquiry sub-committee shall be in
accordance with the regulation prescribed by the N.C.C.
Commission. Section 46. The person under
the following circumstances shall not be appointed as a member to an
inquiry
sub-committee:
(1) having knowledge of the events to which the allegation
relates;
(2) being interested in the matter to which the allegation
relates;
(3) having current animosity towards the person making the
allegation or the alleged culprit;
(4) being the person making the allegation or such person's or the
alleged culprit's spouse, ancestor, descendant, or brother or sister
of full or half
blood;
(5) having a close relationship with the person making the
allegation or the alleged culprit in the capacity as such person's
relative or being a such person's partner or having commercial
mutual benefits or conflicting interest vis-?-vis the person making
the allegation or the alleged
culprit. In the
case where it appears that the person under paragraph one is
appointed as a member to an inquiry sub-committee, such member shall
inform the President thereof without delay. In the meantime, such
member shall not be involved in the proceeding of the inquiry
sub-committee.
The provisions of paragraph two shall also apply mutatis mutandis to
the case where any member of the sub-committee is challenged by the
alleged culprit that he or she is under the circumstance under
paragraph one.
The submission of a challenge, the consideration of a challenge and
the appointment of a replacing member of the inquiry sub-committee
shall be in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed by
the N.C.C.
Commission.
Section 47. In conducting a fact inquiry,
the allegation shall be informed to the alleged culprit and there
shall be fixed a reasonable time within which the alleged culprit
may give explanations, present evidence or bring witnesses to
testify in support of the
explanations. In
giving explanations and testimonies of the alleged culprit, the
alleged culprit shall have the right to have the presence of his or
her attorney or the person upon whom he or she reposes confidence
for hearing the explanations or
testimonies. Section 48. In the case where an inquiry
sub-committee is appointed, the presence of at least two members of
the sub-committee, at least one of whom must be the member who is
the competent official, is required for the hearing of the alleged
culprit's explanations or the examination of the alleged culprit and
witnesses. But, if it is the hearing of the explanations or the
examination of the person under section 58, the presence of the
member of the sub-committee who is also the member is also required
therefor. The
member of the inquiry sub-committee shall not commit or cause to be
committee any act which amounts to seducing, threatening or giving a
promise to the alleged culprit or witnesses with a view to inducing
them to give any statements with respect to the matters to which the
allegation
relates. Section 49. For the purpose of the performance
of duties of the inquiry sub-committee, the inquiry sub-committee
shall have the power to carry out the acts under section 25 (1), (2)
or (3) or section 26 as entrusted by the N.C.C.
Commission.
Section 50. Upon the completion of the
gathering of evidence, the inquiry file shall be prepared and
submitted to the President. Such file shall contain the following
particulars:
(1) the names and positions of the person making the allegation and
the alleged
culprit;
(2) the matter to which the allegation
relates;
(3) the allegation and summary of facts obtained from the fact
inquiry;
(4) reasons given in the consideration and decision of both issues
of fact and issues of
law;
(5) the provisions of law relied
upon;
(6) the summary of the opinion on the matter to which the allegation
relates. Section 51. When the President has
received the inquiry file under section 50, the President shall
cause to be held a meeting for considering it within thirty
days. In the
interest of justice, in the case where an inquiry sub-committee has
been appointed, the N.C.C. Commission may pass a resolution
directing the same sub-committee to inquire into additional facts or
appointing a new inquiry sub-committee to inquire into additional
facts on its
behalf. Section 52. The member who is under the
circumstance under section 46 shall not attend the meeting for
considering the inquiry file, with the exception of the member whose
knowledge of the events to which the allegation relates is obtained
on account of being appointed as a member of the inquiry
sub-committee.
Section 53. The N.C.C. Commission shall
consider the allegation from the inquiry file and pass a resolution
as to whether the allegation has a prima facie case. In the case
where the N.C.C. Commission passes a resolution that the allegation
has no prima facie case, such allegation shall
lapse. Section 54. When the N.C.C. Commission
has passed a resolution under section 53, if such allegation is the
matter referred to the Commission by the President of the Senate
under section 43 (1) or is the matter in respect of which the
injured person lodged a request for taking legal proceeding against
the alleged culprit under section 43 (2), the President shall
furnish a report to the President of the Senate or inform the
injured person thereof, as the case may be, without
delay. The
report under paragraph one shall be signed by the members having
attended the consideration and shall specify the background or the
allegation, the summary of facts obtained from the inquiry, reasons
given in the consideration and decision and provisions of the
Constitution and laws relied
upon. Section 55. In the case where the N.C.C.
Commission passes a resolution that the allegation has a prima facie
case and such allegation is the matter referred to the Commission
under section 43 (1) or is the matter in respect of which the
injured person lodged a request for taking legal proceedings against
the alleged culprit under section 43 (2), then, as from the day the
N.C.C. Commission passes that resolution, the alleged culprit shall
not continue the performance of duties until the Senate passes a
resolution or the Supreme Court of Justice's Criminal Division for
Persons Holding Political Positions passes a judgment, as the case
may be. Section 56. In the case where the N.C.C.
Commission passes a resolution that the allegation has a prima facie
case, the President shall furnish a report under section 54
paragraph two, existing documents as well as the opinion
to:
(1) the President of the Senate, if such allegation is the matter
referred to the Commission by the President of the Senate under
section 43 (1) or is the matter in respect of which the injured
person lodged a request under section 43
(2);
(2) the Prosecutor-General, if the inquiry reveals a prima facie
case for a criminal offence or unusual wealthiness and the alleged
culprit is the person under section 58 except Prosecutor-General or
is a political official other than the persons under section 58 (1)
and
(2);
(3) the Prosecutor-General, if the inquiry reveals a prima facie
case for a criminal offence or unusual wealthiness and the alleged
culprit is a State official who is not a person holding a political
position and a person holding a high-ranking
position
(4) the superior or the person who has the power to appoint or
remove the allege culprit, if the inquiry reveals a prima facie case
for a disciplinary offence or a prima facie case justifying the
removal from office, and the alleged culprit is a State official who
is not a person holding a political position.
In the case
where the N.C.C Commission is of the opinion that any allegation
referred to the Commission by the President of the Senate under
section 43 (1) is of particular importance, the N.C.C. Commission
may prepare a separate report specifically on such allegation and
furnish the same to the Senate for consideration in
advance. Section 57. During the fact inquiry, if the
alleged culprit vacates office or vacates the Government service by
any reason other than death, the N.C.C. Commission shall have the
power to proceed with the fact inquiry for the purpose of taking
criminal proceedings, initiating disciplinary action, or making a
request that the property devolve on the State.
CHAPTER V Removal
from Office _______________
Section 58. When it appears that any person
holding any of the following positions is under the circumstance of
unusual wealthiness or under circumstances indicative of the
commission of corruption, malfeasance in office, malfeasance in
judicial office or an intentional exercise of power contrary to the
Constitution or the law, the Senate has the power to initiate the
removal of such person from office in accordance with the provisions
of this
Chapter:
(1) Prime
Minister;
(2)
Minister;
(3) member of the House of
Representatives;
(4)
senator;
(5) President of the Supreme Court of
Justice;
(6) President of the Constitutional
Court;
(7) President of the Supreme Administrative
Court;
(8)
Prosecutor-General;
(9) Election Commissioner;
(10)
Ombudsman;
(11) judge of the Constitutional
Court;
(12) member of the State Audit
Commission;
(13) Vice President of the Supreme Court of
Justice;
(14) Vice President of the Supreme Administrative
Court;
(15) Chief of the Military Judicial
Office;
(16) Deputy
Prosecutor-General;
(17) a person holding a high-raking
position. Section 59. Members of the House of
Representatives of not less than one-fourth of the total number of
the existing members of the House or voters of not less than fifty
thousand in number have the right to lodge with the President of the
Senate a joint request that the Senate pass a resolution removing
the persons holding positions under section 58 from office.
Senators of not
less than one-fourth of the total number of the existing members of
the Senate have the right to lodge with the President of the Senate
a joint request that the Senate pass a resolution removing a senator
from
office. Section 60. In the case of the lodging by
voters of a request for the removal of the persons holding the
positions under section 58 from office, there shall be not more than
one hundred initiators for the purposes of preparing the request and
attesting the signatures of voters of not less than fifty thousand
in number who shall have participated in the
request. The
initiators and participants shall be the persons entitled to vote
under the organic law on election of members of the House of
Representatives and senators.
The initiators
shall, in person, identify themselves to the President of the Senate
before commencing the gathering of names of the people entitled to
participate in the request.
Section 61. The request for the removal
from office under section 59 and section 60 shall be in writing,
specify the names, age, numbers of the civic identification cards of
the persons making the request, be accompanied by copies of the
civic identification cards or expired civic identification cards or
any other cards or evidence issued by the Government bearing the
photographs capable of identification and signed by the persons
making the request with the clear statement as to the date, month
and year of the signatures. The request shall also clearly itemise
circumstances in which the persons holding the positions under
section 58 have allegedly become unusually wealthy, committed
corruption or committed an offence of malfeasance in office or
malfeasance in judicial office or intentional exercise of power
contrary to the provisions of the Constitutions or any law and shall
so reasonably and sufficiently specify evidence or clue as to enable
the N.C.C. Commission to proceed with a fact inquiry. Such request
shall be submitted to the President of the Senate within one hundred
eighty days as from the date the initiators identify themselves in
person to the President of the
Senate. Section 62. In the case where members of the
House of Representatives lodge a request for the removal of the
persons holding the positions under section 58 from office or in the
case where senators lodge a request for the removal of a senator
from office, the provisions of section 61 shall apply mutatis
mutandis. Section 63. Upon receipt of the request,
the President of the Senate shall examine it and consider its
correctness and conformity with the provisions of the Constitution
and with section 61 or section 62. If the President of the Senate
considers that it is correct and conforms to the said provisions,
the President of the Senate shall refer the matter to the N.C.C.
Commission for further proceeding in accordance with Chapter 4 Fact
Inquiry without delay. If the President of the Senate considers that
it is not correct or does not conform to the said provisions, the
President of the Senate shall notify it to the persons making the
request or the initiators for taking the corrective action.
The persons
making the request or the initiators shall accomplish the action
under paragraph one within thirty days as from the date of receipt
of the notification by the President of the
Senate. Section 64. When the N.C.C. Commission
has passed a resolution that the allegation put in the request for
the Senate passing a resolution removing the alleged culprit from
office has a prima facie case and has furnished the report to the
President of the Senate under section 56 (1), the President of the
Senate shall convoke a sitting of the Senate for considering and
passing a resolution without
delay. In the
case where the N.C.C.Commission submits the report out of session of
the Senate, the President of the Senate shall inform the President
of the National Assembly in order to tender a petition to the King
for the issuance of a Royal Command convoking an extraordinary
session of the National Assembly for considering the matter. The
President of the Senate shall countersign the Royal
Command. Section 65. A senator has
autonomy in casting a vote, which must be by secret ballot. A
resolution for the removal of any person from office shall be passed
by votes of not less than three-fifths of the total number of the
existing members of the
Senate. A person
who is removed from office shall vacate office or be released from
government service as from the date of the resolution of the Senate.
Such person shall be deprived of the right to hold any political
position or a position in a State agency or to serve in the
government service for five
years. The
resolution of the Senate under this section shall be final and no
request for the removal of such person from office shall be made on
the same ground, without, however, prejudice to the trial of the
Supreme Court of Justice's Criminal Division for Persons Holding
Political Positions or the Court having jurisdiction to try and
adjudicate the case, as the case may
be. When the
Senate has passed a resolution removing any person from office, the
President of the Senate shall, without delay, notify the resolution
to the N.C.C. Commission, the person who is removed from office,
Secretary to the Cabinet and State officials concerned.
CHAPTER VI Criminal
Proceedings Against Persons Holding Political Positions Under
Section 308 of the Constitution _______________
Section 66. In the case where the injured
person alleges that the person holding the position of Prime
Minister, Minister, member of the House of Representatives, senator
or any other political official has become unusually wealthy, or
committed an offence of malfeasance in office under the Penal Code
or malfeasance in office or corruption under other law, the injured
person shall lodge a written request with the N.C.C. Commission.
The provisions
under paragraph one shall also apply to the case where the alleged
culprit or other person is the principal, instigator or aider and
abetter. Section 67. The request under section 66 shall
at least contain the following
particulars:
(1) the name and address of the injured
person;
(2) the name and address of the person lodging the request on behalf
of the injured person and the relationship with the injured person
(if
any);
(3) the name or position of the alleged
culprit;
(4) the allegation and circumstance under which the alleged offence
was committed, the injury sustained, together with so clear and
sufficient evidence as to enable the further conduct of an
inquiry;
(5) the signature of the injured person or of the person lodging the
request on behalf of the injured person, as the case may
be. Section 68. In the case where the injured
person is unable to lodge a request, the following persons may lodge
a request on behalf of the injured
person:
(1) the person authorised in writing by the injured person to lodge
a request on behalf of the injured
person;
(2) a legal representative or a curator, only in the case where the
injured person is a minor or an incompetent person under the
former's care and is unable to lodge a request by himself or
herself;
(3) the ancestor, descendant, husband or wife in the case where the
injured person is deceased, or, by reason of necessity, becomes,
unable to lodge a request by himself or herself or unable to grant
authorisation;
(4) the manager or other representatives of a juristic person in the
case where the injured person is a juristic
person;
(5) the relative of the injured person in the case where the injured
person is a minor without a legal representative or a person of
unsound mind or an incompetent person without a curator or where the
legal representative or the curator is unable to perform the duty by
reason of any cause including the conflict of interest towards the
minor or the incompetent
person. Section 69. When the request is
correctly and duly received, the N.C.C. Commission shall proceed in
accordance with Chapter 4, Fact
Inquiry. Section 70. In the case where the N.C.C.
Commission passes a resolution that the allegation has a prima facie
case for the offence under section 66, the President shall refer the
report, existing documents and the opinion to the Prosecutor-General
for the purpose of instituting the prosecution before in Supreme
Court of Justice's Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political
Positions, in accordance with the organic law on criminal
proceedings against persons holding political
positions. Section 71. The provisions of section 70 shall
apply mutatis mutandis to the case where the N.C.C. Commission
passes a resolution that the allegation made in the request to the
Senate under section 59 has a prima facie case under section
66. Section 72. In the case where the injured
person or the N.C.C. Commission lodges, with the administrative
official or police official having jurisdiction over the territory
in which the offence concerned was committed, a complaint against
the person specified in section 66 accusing that person of having
committed an offence provided in section 66, the administrative
official or police official receiving the complaint shall have the
power to submit a motion to the competent Court for issuing a
warrant of arrest for arresting such person. In the case where other
necessary ground arises which justifies an arrest without a warrant
as provided by law, the administrative official or police official
shall have the power to arrest such
person. The
administrative official or police official who arrests such person
shall refer the arrested person together with the arrest record to
the N.C.C. Commission within forty eight
hours. Section 73. In the case where it
is not necessary to keep the arrested person in custody, the N.C.C.
Commission may grant a provisional release with or without
bail. In the
case where it is necessary to keep the arrested person in custody,
the N.C.C. Commission may submit a motion to the Criminal Court for
the Court's issuance of a warrant of detention in accordance with
the rules and for the length of time prescribed in the Criminal
Procedure Code for the offence to which the complaint
relates. Section 74. When the
prosecution is intended to be instituted under section 70, the
N.C.C. Commission shall inform, in writing, the alleged culprit to
appear before, and report to, the person entrusted by the N.C.C.
Commission on the date and at the time
specified. If
the alleged culprit fails to enter an appearance and report within
the specified time, the N.C.C. Commission shall inform the
administrative official or police official for the purpose of
causing the alleged culprit to be obtained and referred to the
Prosecutor-General or the N.C.C. Commission, as the case may be, for
further proceeding with the
case. The
custody of the alleged culprit and the provisional release shall be
within the power of the N.C.C. Commission, the person entrusted by
the N.C.C. Commission or the Prosecutor-General, as the case may be.
For this purpose, the organic law on criminal proceedings against
persons holding political positions or the Criminal Procedure Code,
as the case may be, shall apply mutatis mutandis.
CHAPTER VII The
Request for the Property to Devolve on the
State _______________
Section 75. In the case where an allegation is
made that any person holding a political position or any State
official has become unusually wealthy, the N.C.C. Commission shall
make a preliminary determination as to whether the circumstance or
the matter put in the allegation falls within the matters capable of
acceptance by the N.C.C. Commission. If the alleged culprit is the
person who has already submitted an account showing particulars of
assets and liabilities, the N.C.C. Commission shall also take such
account into
consideration.
The allegation of unusual wealthiness shall be made at the time the
alleged culprit is a State official or has ceased to be a State
official for not more than two
years. Section 76. The allegation under section 75
shall at least contain the following
particulars:
(1) the name and address of the person making the
allegation;
(2) the name or position of the alleged
culprit;
(3) the allegation and circumstance under which the alleged culprit
has allegedly become
wealthy. Section 77. In the case where the allegation
meets the requirements in section 75 or the in case where there is a
reasonable cause to suspect that a State official who is not a
person holding a political position has become unusually wealthy,
the N.C.C. Commission shall proceed in accordance with Chapter 4,
Fact
Inquiry. Section 78. In the case where the N.C.C.
Commission discovers that any property of the alleged culprit is
connected with the unusual wealthiness and is under the circumstance
convincingly indicative of the possibility of its transfer, move,
transformation or concealment, the N.C.C. Commission shall have the
power to issue an order of temporary seizure or attachment of that
property , without prejudice to the right of the alleged culprit to
submit an application for taking such property for use with or
without bail or
security. When
there occurs a temporary seizure or attachment of the property under
paragraph one, the N.C.C. Commission shall cause to be conducted
proof of the property without delay. In the case where the alleged
culprit is unable to present evidence that the property under
temporary seizure or attachment is not connected with the unusual
wealthiness, the N.C.C. Commission shall have the power to continue
its seizure or attachment until the N.C.C. Commission passes a
resolution that the allegation has no prima facie case, which must
be within one year as from the date of the seizure or attachment or
until the Court passes a final judgment dismissing that case. But,
if the proof is successful, the property shall be returned to such
person. Section 79. For the purpose
of a fact inquiry, the N.C.C. Commission shall order the alleged
culprit to show particulars of assets and liabilities of the alleged
culprit in accordance with items and procedures and within the time
prescribed by the N.C.C. Commission, which shall not be less than
thirty days and shall not be more than sixty
days. Section 80. If the N.C.C. Commission has
conducted a fact inquiry and passed a resolution that the alleged
culprit has become unusually wealthy, the N.C.C. Commission shall
proceed as
follows:
(1) in the case where it is the alleged culprit under section 66,
the President shall refer the matter to the Prosecutor-General for
submission of a motion to the Supreme Court of Justice's Criminal
Division for Persons Holding Political Positions requesting the
Court to order that the property devolve upon the
State;
(2) in the case where the alleged culprit is the person holding the
position of President of the Supreme Court of Justice, President of
the Constitutional Court, President of the Supreme Administrative
Court, Election Commissioner, Ombudsman, judge of the Constitutional
Court, member of the State Audit Commission, Vice President of the
Supreme Court of Justice, Vice President of the Supreme
Administrative Court, Chief of the Military Judicial Office, Deputy
Prosecutor-General or is the person holding a high-ranking position,
the President shall refer the matter to the Prosecutor-General for
submission of a motion to the Court having competence to try and
adjudicate the case requesting the Court to order that the property
devolve upon the
State;
(3) in the case where the alleged culprit is the person holding the
position of Prosecutor-General, the President shall submit a motion
to the Court having competence to try and adjudicate the case
requesting the Court to order that the property devolve upon the
State;
(4) in the case where the alleged culprit is a State official who is
not the person under (1), (2) and (3), the President shall refer the
matter to the Prosecutor-General for submission of a motion to the
Court having competence to try and adjudicate the case requesting
the Court to order that the property devolve upon the State, and the
President shall notify it to the superior or the person having the
power to appoint or remove the alleged culprit for the purpose of
issuing a punitive order of expulsion or dismissal on the deemed
ground of the commission of corruption, except that in the case
where the alleged culprit is a judicial official under the law on
judicial service, judge of the Administrative Court under the law on
establishment of Administrative Courts and Administrative Court
Procedure or public prosecutor under the law on public prosecutors
service, the President shall notify it to the President of the
Judicial Commission, the President of the Judicial Commission of
Administrative Courts or the President of the Public Prosecutors
Commission, as the case may be, for considering and proceeding with
the matter in accordance with the law on judicial service, the law
on establishment of Administrative Courts and Administrative Court
Procedure or the law on public prosecutors
service. In the
case under (1) or (2), when the Prosecutor-General receives the
report and documents together with the opinion from the N.C.C.
Commission and is of the opinion that the report, documents and
opinion referred to by the N.C.C. Commission are not so complete as
to justify the institution of legal proceedings, the
Prosecutor-General shall notify it to the N.C.C. Commission for
further action. For this purpose, the incomplete items shall fully
be specified at the same time. In this case, the N.C.C. Commission
and Prosecutor-General shall appoint a working committee consisting
of representatives of each side in an equal number for the purpose
of collecting full evidence to be referred to the Prosecutor-General
for further submission of a motion to the Supreme Court of Justice's
Criminal Division of Persons Holding Political Positions or the
Court having competence to try and adjudicate the case, as the case
may be, requesting the Court to give a subsequent order that the
property devolve upon the State. In the case where such working
committee fails to reach an agreement as to the legal proceedings,
the N.C.C. Commission shall have the power to submit a motion to the
Supreme Court of Justice's Criminal Division for Persons Holding
Political Positions or the Court having competence to try and
adjudicate the case, as the case may be, requesting the Court to
order that the property devolve upon the
State. In the
case under (2), (3) or (4), the Civil Procedure Code shall apply
mutatis
mutandis. Section 81. The Prosecutor-General or the
President, as the case may be, shall submit a motion requesting the
Court to order that the property devolve upon the State under
section 80 within ninety days as from the date the matter is
received from the N.C.C.
Commission. In
the case in which a request is made that the property be ordered to
devolve upon the State, onus of proof to the Court that the said
property does not result from the unusual wealthiness is upon the
alleged culprit.
Section 82. A transfer or any act in
connection with the property of the State official which is done
after the N.C.C. Commission has ordered such State official to
declare particulars of assets and liabilities under section 79 may,
if the N.C.C. Commission or the Prosecutor-General, as the case may
be, files an application by way of motion, be cancelled or suspended
by an order of the Court, unless the transferee or the beneficiary
satisfies the Court that the property or benefit has been
transferred to acquired in good faith and in return for
remuneration.
Section 83. If the Court gives an order
that the alleged culprit's property in respect of which the N.C.C.
has passed a resolution confirming its representing the unusual
wealthiness or the unusual increase devolve upon the State but the
execution is unable to be conducted of the whole or part of such
property, the execution may be conducted of other property of the
alleged culprit within the prescription of ten years, provided that
it shall not be conducted in excess of the value of the property
ordered by the Court to devolve upon the State.
CHAPTER
VIII Inspection of State Officials Not Being Persons Holding
Political Positions under Section 308 of the
Constitution _______________
Section 84. In making an
allegation that a State official who is not the person under section
66 committed an offence of corruption, malfeasance in office or
malfeasance in judicial office, the person making such allegation
shall submit an allegation in writing bearing his or her signature
to the N.C.C. Commission at the time the person against whom the
allegation is made is a State official or has ceased to be a State
official for not later than two
years. Section 85. The allegation under section 84
shall at least contain the following
particulars:
(1) the name and address of the person making the
allegation;
(2) the name or position of the alleged
culprit;
(3) the allegation and circumstance under which the alleged offence
was committed, together with, or by reference to,
evidence. Section 86. The N.C.C. Commission shall
not accept or invoke for consideration the allegation under section
84 which is of the following descriptions:
(1) the matter involving the same allegation or issue as that in
respect of which the N.C.C. Commission has given its final decision,
for which no fresh evidence which is material to the case is
found;
(2) the matter the same issue of which has been admitted by the
Court and is pending the Court's trial or has been adjudicated by
the Court's final decision or order.
Section 87. The N.C.C. Commission may refuse to
accept or invoke for consideration the allegation which is of the
following
descriptions:
(1) the matter which exhibits the nature of an anonymous letter, for
which no clear evidence is so sufficiently specified as to enable a
fact
inquiry;
(2) the matter surviving the period of more than five years as from
the date of its occurrence to the date of the allegation, for which
evidence cannot be so sufficiently obtained as to enable a further
inquiry Section 88. When the N.C.C. Commission has
received the allegation against the State official under section 84
or has a reasonable cause to suspect that any State official has
committed an offence of corruption, malfeasance in office or
malfeasance in judicial office, the N.C.C. Commission shall proceed
in accordance with Chapter 4, Fact
Inquiry. Section 89. In the case where the injured
person has lodged a complaint, or a denunciation is made, to the
inquiry official requesting for an action against a State official
who is not the person under section 66 in consequence of the
commission of the act under section 88, the inquiry official shall
refer the matter to the N.C.C. Commission within thirty days as from
the date of the complaint or the denunciation, for the purpose of
proceeding with it in accordance with the provisions in this
Chapter. In this connection, if the N.C.C. Commission, having
considered the matter, is of the opinion that it is not the case
under section 88, the N.C.C. Commission shall refers it back to the
inquiry official for proceeding with it in accordance with the
Criminal Procedure
Code. Section 90. In conducting a fact inquiry, if
the N.C.C. Commission is of the opinion that the continued
performance of the alleged culprit shall cause injury to the
Government service or cause an impediment to the inquiry, the N.C.C.
Commission shall refer the matter to the superior of the alleged
culprit for an order of suspension from the Government service or
from work pending the decision of the N.C.C. Commission. If the
superior of the alleged culprit has ordered a suspension from
Government service or from work and a subsequent outcome of the
inquiry reveals that the allegation has no prima facie case, the
N.C.C. Commission shall inform the superior of the alleged culprit
thereof for the purpose of issuing an order allowing the alleged
culprit to resume the Government service or work in the original
position. Section 91. When the N.C.C. Commission has
conducted the inquiry and passed a resolution that a particular
allegation has no prima facie case, such allegation shall lapse. Any
allegation which, according to the N.C.C. Commission's resolution,
has a prima facie case shall be pursued as
follows:
(1) if a prima facie case for a disciplinary offence is found, it
shall be proceeded with in accordance with section
92;
(2) if a prima facie case for a criminal offence is found, it shall
be proceeded with in accordance with section
97. Section 92. In the case where a prima facie
case for a disciplinary offence is found, when the N.C.C.
Commission, after having considered the circumstances of the
commission of the offence, passes a resolution that a particular
alleged culprit has committed a disciplinary offence, the President
shall send the report and existing documents together with the
opinion to the superior or the person who has the power to appoint
or remove such alleged culprit for the purpose of considering the
disciplinary penalty for the offence in respect of which the N.C.C.
Commission has passed the resolution, without the appointment of a
disciplinary inquiry committee. In considering the disciplinary
penalty to be inflicted upon the alleged culprit, it shall be deemed
that the report, documents and opinion of the N.C.C. Commission is
the disciplinary inquiry file of the disciplinary inquiry committee
under the law, rules or regulations on personnel administration
applicable to such alleged culprit, as the case may
be. In the case
where the alleged culprit is a judicial official under the law on
judicial service, judge of the Administrative Court under the law on
establishment of Administrative Courts and Administrative Court
Procedure or public prosecutor under the law on public prosecutors
service, the President shall send the report and existing documents
together with the opinion to the President of the Judicial
Commission, the President of the Judicial Commission of the
Administrative Courts or the President of the Public Prosecutors
Commission, as the case may be, for considering and proceeding with
the matter in accordance with the law on judicial service, the law
on establishment of Administrative Courts and Administrative Court
Procedure or the law on public prosecutors service without delay. In
this connection, the report and documents of the N.C.C. Commission
shall also be regarded as part of the inquiry file. The outcome
shall be furnished to the N.C.C. Commission for information within
fifteen days as from the date the order of the disciplinary penalty
is issued or the date a decision is given that no disciplinary
offence is
found. In the
case of the alleged culprit to whom no laws, rules or regulations on
disciplines are found applicable, the President shall, upon the
N.C.C. Commission's resolution that such alleged culprit has
committed an offence as alleged, send the report and existing
documents together with the opinion of the N.C.C. Commission to the
superior or the person who has the power to appoint or remove such
alleged culprit for the purpose of proceeding in accordance with his
or her powers and
duties. Section 93. Upon receipt the report under
section 92 paragraph one and paragraph three, the superior or the
person having the power to order the appointment and removal shall
consider the penalty within thirty days as from the date of receipt
thereof, and the superior or the person having the power to order
the appointment and removal shall furnish a copy of the penalty
order to the N.C.C. Commission for information within fifteen days
as from the date the order is
issued. Section 94. Any superior or the person having
the power to order the appointment and removal who fails to take
action under section 93 is deemed to commit a disciplinary offence
or a legal offence under the law, rule or regulation on personnel
administration applicable to the alleged culprit in
question. Section 95. In the case where the superior of
the alleged culprit fails to take the disciplinary action under
section 93 or the N.C.C. Commission considers that the disciplinary
action taken by the superior under section 93 is incorrect or
inappropriate, the N.C.C. Commission shall present its opinion to
the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister shall have the power to
give an order as the Prime Minister thinks fit. In the case of
necessity, the N.C.C. Commission may order the Civil Service
Commission under the law on civil service or other commission having
the duty to control and supervise the execution of the law, rule and
regulation on personnel administration for State officials or the
commission which performs the management of the State enterprise or
the person who has given an order appointing a member of a
commission, committee or sub-committee or an employee of a
Government agency, State agency or State enterprise, as the case may
be, to consider and take correct and appropriate action within the
powers and duties, except that in the case where the alleged culprit
is a judicial official under the law on judicial service, a judge of
the administrative court under the law on establishment of
Administrative Courts and Administrative Courts Procedure, or a
public prosecutor under the law on public prosecutors service, the
N.C.C. Commission shall furnish its opinion to the President of the
Judicial Commission, President of the Judicial Commission of the
Administrative Courts or President of the Public Prosecutors
Commission, as the case may
be. Section 96. The alleged culprit punished
under section 93 may exercise the right to appeal against the
exercise of the superior's discretion in giving the penalty order,
in accordance with the law, rule or regulation on personnel
administration applicable to such alleged culprit, provided that
such right must be exercised within thirty days as from the date the
superior or the person having the power to order the appointment or
removal gives the penalty
order. Section 97. In the case where the N.C.C.
Commission passes a resolution that any matter put in the allegation
amounts to a criminal offence, the President shall furnish the
report, documents and opinion to the Prosecutor- General or, in the
case where the alleged culprit is the Prosecutor-General, proceed
with the prosecution, for the purpose of criminal proceedings before
the Court having competence to try and adjudicate the case. In this
instance, the report of the N.C.C. Commission shall be deemed the
inquiry file under the Criminal Procedure Code and the Court shall
accept the case without conducting a preliminary
examination.
When the Prosecutor-General has received the report and documents
together with the opinion from the N.C.C. Commission under paragraph
one and considers that the report, documents and opinion furnished
by the N.C.C. Commission are not so complete as to justify the
institution of the prosecution, the Prosecutor-General shall inform
the N.C.C. Commission thereof for further proceeding. In this
instance, the incomplete items shall, at the same time, fully be
specified. In this case, the N.C.C. Commission and the
Prosecutor-General shall appoint a working committee consisting of
representatives of each side in an equal number, for the purpose of
collecting full evidence and furnish it to the Prosecutor-General
for instituting the prosecution. In the case where such working
committee fails to arrive at a conclusion as to the prosecution, the
N.C.C. Commission shall have the power to initiate the prosecution
of its own motion or appoint an attorney to institute the
prosecution on its
behalf. Section 98. When the prosecution is intended to
be instituted under section 97, the provisions of section 74 shall
apply mutatis
mutandis. Section 99. In the case where the N.C.C.
Commission passes a resolution that a particular allegation has a
prima facie case for an offence under section 91, if, in addition to
proceeding in accordance with section 92 or section 97, it the
inquiry by the N.C.C. Commission reveals that the alleged culprit
granted approval or permission conferring rights or benefits on, or
issued a document of title to, any person contrary to the law or
official regulation to the detriment of the Government service, the
President shall furnish the report and existing documents together
with its opinion to the superior or head of the agency concerned for
the purpose of filing an application to the Court for an order or
judgment cancelling or revoking the right or document of title in
respect of which the alleged culprit granted approval or
permission. The
provisions of section 93, section 94 and section 95 shall apply to
the case under paragraph one mutatis mutandis.
CHAPTER IX Conflicts
Between Personal Interest and Public
Interest _______________
Section 100. Any State official shall not carry
out the following
acts:
(1) being a party to or having interest in a contract made with a
Government agency where such State official performs duties in the
capacity as State official who has the power to conduct supervision,
control, inspection or legal
proceedings;
(2) being a partner or shareholder in a partnership or company which
is a party to a contract made with a Government agency where such
State official performs duties in the capacity as a State official
who has the power to conduct supervision, control, inspection or
legal
proceedings;
(3) being a concessionaire or continuing to hold a concession from
the State, State agency, State enterprise or local administration or
being a party to a contract of a directly or indirectly monopolistic
nature made with the State, a Government agency, State agency, State
enterprise or local administration, or being a partner or
shareholder in a partnership or company which is a concessionaire or
a contractual party in such
manner;
(4) being interested in the capacity as a director, counsel,
representative, official or employee in a private business which is
under supervision, control or audit of the State agency to which
such State official is attached or where such State official
performs duties in the capacity as State official, provided that the
nature of the interest of the private business may be contrary to or
inconsistent with public interest or the interest of the Government
service or may affect the autonomy in the performance of duties of
such State
official. The
positions of State officials prohibited from carrying out the
activities under paragraph one shall be prescribed and published in
the Government Gazette by the N.C.C.
Commission. The
provisions of paragraph one shall apply to spouses of the State
officials under paragraph two. For this purpose, the activities
carried out by the spouse shall be deemed as the activities carried
out by the State
official. Section 101. The provisions of
section 100 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the activities carried
out by the person who has already ceased to be the State official
for less than two years, with the exception of the holding of shares
of not more than five percent of the total number of shares issued
by a public limited company which is not a party to a contract made
with the State agency under section 100 (2), for which permission is
obtained under the law on securities and securities
exchange. Section 102. The provisions of section 100
shall not apply to the carrying out of activities of the State
official who is entrusted, by the Government agency having the power
to supervise, control or inspect the operation of a limited company
or a public limited company, to perform duties in the limited
company or public limited company in which the State agency holds
shares or with which it participates in an undertaking.
Section 103. Any State official shall not
receive property or any other benefit from any person other than the
legitimate property or benefit derived under the law, rules or
regulations issued by virtue of the provisions of law, with the
exception of the acceptance of the property or any other benefit on
the ethical basis in accordance with the rules and in such amount as
prescribed by the N.C.C. Commission. The provisions of paragraph
one shall apply mutatis mutandis to the acceptance of property or
any other benefit by the person who has ceased to be a State
official for less than two years.
CHAPTER X Office of
the National Counter Corruption
Commission _______________
Section 104. There shall be the
Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission called the
"Office of the N.C.C." in brief, as an independent Government agency
under the Constitution, which shall be ascribed the status of
Department under the law on organisation of State
administration. Section 105. The Office of the N.C.C.
has the powers and duties in connection with the general official
affairs of the N.C.C. Commission and shall have the powers and
duties as
follows:
(1) to be responsible for the administrative work of the N.C.C.
Commission;
(2) to study and gather data related to the work of the N.C.C.
Commission;
(3) to study, and encourage the studies and research in, and
disseminate knowledge about corruption in the governmental and
political circles;
(4) to perform other acts as entrusted by the N.C.C.
Commission.
Section 106. A Government official of the
Office of the N.C.C. is the person recruited and appointed as the
Government official under this Organic
Act. The
Government official of the Office of the N.C.C. shall be the
Government official under the law on Officials' Pension
Fund. Section 107. The N.C.C. Commission shall have
the power to issue regulations or notifications with respect to
general administration, personnel administration, budget, finance
and property and other businesses of the Office and, in particular,
with respect to the following
matters:
(1) internal organisation of the Office of the N.C.C. and the scope
of duties of such Government
agency;
(2) qualifications, selection, recruitment, appointment, trial
performance of official duties, transfer, elevation of position,
vacation of office, elevation of salary scale, special remuneration,
resignation from official service, suspension of official service,
temporary dismissal from official service, disciplines, disciplinary
inquiry and penalty, the lodging of a complaint and the appeal
against a penalty, in respect of Government officials and employees
of the Office;
(3) the acting for and acting as the holder of a position of
Government official of the Office of the
N.C.C.;
(4) the prescription of working days and hours, traditional
holidays, annual holidays and leave of absence of Government
officials of the Office of the
N.C.C.;
(5) the prescription of the uniform and dress of the Government
officials of the Office of the
N.C.C.;
(6) the employment and appointment of a person as an expert or
specialist beneficial to the performance of official duties of the
N.C.C. Commission as well as the rate of remuneration
therefor;
(7) the appointment of a person or a group of persons for carrying
out any act as
entrusted;
(8) the budget and procurement administration and management of the
Office of the
N.C.C.;
(9) the provision of welfare or other aids to Government officials
of the Office of the
N.C.C.;
(10) the keeping of the personnel record and the control of
retirement of Government officials of the Office of the
N.C.C.;
(11) the prescription of procedures and conditions for the
employment of employees of the Office of the N.C.C. and the
prescription of the uniform and dress, working days and hours,
traditional holidays, annual holidays, leave of absence and the
provision of welfare or other aids to employees of the Office of the
N.C.C.. The
regulations and notifications under paragraph one shall be signed by
the President and shall come into force upon their publication in
the Government
Gazette. Section 108. The Office of the N.C.C. shall
have Secretary-General of the National Counter Corruption Commission
who shall be responsible for the work performance of the Office of
the N.C.C. and directly answerable to the President and shall be the
superior of Government officials and employees of the Office of the
N.C.C.. For these purposes, there may also be Deputy
Secretary-General or Assistant Secretary-General of the National
Counter Corruption Commission to assist in directing and performing
official duties.
The Secretary-General shall represent the Office of the N.C.C. in
its affairs vis-?-vis third persons. For this purpose, the
Secretary-General may delegate powers to any person to perform any
particular act, in accordance with the regulations prescribed and
published in the Government Gazette by the N.C.C.
Commission. Section 109. The Secretary-General
shall hold office for a term of six years and shall serve for only
one term. In
addition to vacation of office at the expiration of the term, the
Secretary-General vacates office
upon:
(1)
death;
(2) termination of official service under the law on official
pensions;
(3)
resignation;
(4) removed by the Royal Command upon approval of the N.C.C.
Commission and the
Senate;
(5) being expelled or dismissed in accordance with the disciplinary
penalty;
(6) being a
bankrupt;
(7) being imprisoned by a final judgment except for an offence
committed through negligence or a petty
offence;
(8) being an incompetent person or a quasi-incompetent
person;
(9) being a political official, senator, member of the House of
Representatives, member of a political party, or executive member or
holder of a position with the responsibility in the administration
of a political party;
(10) being a manager, director, counsel, representative or employee
of a person, partnership, company or any organisation carrying out
business for
profits. Section 110. The law on civil service insofar
as it concerns ordinary Government officials shall apply mutatis
mutandis to the prescription of positions and salary scales as well
as emoluments of Government officials of the Office of the N.C.C.
and, for this purpose, the expression "C.S.C. shall mean the N.C.C.
Commission and the expression "Government agency ascribed the status
of a Department the head of which has responsibility in the
performance of official duties with direct answerability to the
Prime Minister" shall mean the Office of the
N.C.C.. Section 111. The law on salaries and
emoluments shall apply mutatis mutandis to the salary scales, rates
of emolument and the entitlement to emoluments of Government
officials of the Office of the
N.C.C.. The
payment of salaries and emoluments to Government officials of the
Office of the N.C.C. shall be in accordance with the law on that
particular
matter. Section 112. The recruitment of persons to be
Government officials of the Office of the N.C.C. and their
appointment to any positions shall be made by the following
persons:
(1) with respect to the recruitment and appointment to the position
of Secretary-General, the President shall make the recruitment with
the approval of the N.C.C. Commission and the Senate and shall
present it to the King for
appointment;
(2) with respect to the recruitment and appointment to the position
of Deputy Secretary-General or its equivalent, the President shall
make the recruitment and present it to the King for
appointment;
(3) with respect to the recruitment and appointment to any position
other than in (1) and (2), the Secretary-General shall make the
recruitment and
appointment.
Section 113. A transfer of an official of
a municipality who is not an extraordinary official of a
municipality, official of a Tambon Administrative Organisation and a
transfer of a Government official under other law for recruitment as
a Government official of the Office of the N.C.C. may be made on the
basis of that person's consent. For this purpose, the person having
the power to make the recruitment shall make an agreement with the
original agency and refer it to the N.C.C. Commission for
consideration and approval. The N.C.C. Commission shall consider and
prescribe the position to which the appointment is to be made and
the salary scale therefor, provided that the salary granted must not
be higher than that of the Office of the N.C.C.'s Government
official who possesses the same qualifications, ability and
expertise. For
the purpose of the computation of the duration of the Government
service, the time of service or working time of the person
transferred under paragraph one while being the official or
Government official shall also be regarded as the time of service of
the Government official of the Office of the N.C.C. under this
Organic Act. A
transfer of a political official and a Government official, who is
under a trial performance of official duties, to be a Government
official of the Office of the N.C.C. under this Organic Act shall
not be made.
Section 114. Government officials of the
Office of the N.C.C. are entitled to the same pensions and benefits
in accordance with the laws on such matters as those to which
ordinary Government officials are
entitled. Section 115. The Office of the N.C.C. shall
present to the Council of Ministers the budget in accordance with
the resolution of the N.C.C. Commission for the purpose of
incorporating it in the annual appropriations bill or the
supplementary appropriations bill, as the case may be, in order to
set it aside as subsidies of the N.C.C. Commission and the Office of
the N.C.C.. In this instance, the Council of Ministers may also
prepare the opinion with regard to the allocation of budget of the
N.C.C. Commission and the Office of the N.C.C. and enclose the
opinion in the memorandum pertaining to the introduction of the
annual appropriations bill or the supplementary appropriations
bill. Section 116. In introducing or considering the
budget, the annual appropriations bill or the supplementary
appropriations bill under section 115 or in considering any matter
in connection with the N.C.C. Commission or the Office the of
N.C.C., if the Secretary-General makes a request, the Council of
Ministers, the House of Representatives, the Senate or the
parliamentary committee concerned may allow the Secretary-General or
the person entrusted by the Secretary-General to give
explanations. Section 117. The
Office of the N.C.C. shall be the audit reception centre under the
organic law on State
audit. When the
Office of the State Audit has audited and certified all types of
accounts and financial matters of the N.C.C. Commission and the
Office of the N.C.C., it shall present the audit report to the House
of Representatives, the Senate and the Council of Ministers without
delay.
CHAPTER
XI Penalties _______________
Section 118. Any person who fails
to comply with an order of the N.C.C. Commission under section 25
(1) or section 79 shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand Baht or
to both. Section 119. Any State official who
intentionally fails to submit an account showing assets and
liabilities and supporting documents to the N.C.C. Commission within
the time prescribed by this Organic Act or intentionally submits an
account showing assets and liabilities and supporting documents with
false statements being included therein or conceals facts which
should have been disclosed shall be liable to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding ten
thousand Baht or to
both. Section 120. Any person who discloses
statements, facts or information obtained in consequence of the
performance of duties under this Organic Act without authorisation
by the N.C.C. Commission and without such act being committed in
discharge of official duties or for the purpose of verifying or
inquiring into facts or for official or public interest shall be
liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a
fine not exceeding ten thousand Baht or to
both. Section 121. Any person who has in possession
or keeps the property, accounts, documents or any other evidence
seized, attached or ordered to be furnished by the N.C.C.
Commission, or damages, destroys, conceals, takes away, causes such
property, accounts, documents or evidence to be lost or useless
shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years
or to a fine not exceeding sixty thousand Baht or to
both. Section 122. Any State official who violates
the provisions of section 100, section 101 or section 103 shall be
liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a
fine not exceeding sixty thousand Baht or to
both. In the
case of an offence under section 100 paragraph three, if any State
official proves that he or she has not connived at his or her
spouse's carrying out the activities under section 100 paragraph
one, it shall be deemed that such person is not guilty of the
offence. Section 123. Any State official who performs
or refrains from performing any act in the circumstance likely to
cause others to believe that he or she holds a particular position
or has a particular duty despite not holding such position or not
having such duty, for acquiring illegitimate benefits for himself or
herself or for others shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of
one to ten years or to a fine of two to twenty thousand Baht or to
both. Section 124. Any person who initiates the
request for the removal of a person from office under section 60 or
submits a request for taking criminal proceedings under section 66
or submits an allegation under section 84 knowing that there is no
ground for removing that person from office or that there is no
circumstance indicative of that person's unusual wealthiness or that
there is no commission of an offence of malfeasance in office under
the Penal Code or under other laws, or makes a false allegation or
presents false evidence shall be liable to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding sixty thousand
Baht or to both.
In the case
where the commission of the act under paragraph one is the request
for removing a particular person from office, it shall be deemed
that the person against whom the request is made for removal from
office is also the injured person in the commission of such
offence. Section 125. Any person, being the President,
member, member of a sub-committee, competent official or person
entrusted by the N.C.C. Commission, who performs duties unjustly,
commits an offence of corruption or an offence of malfeasance in
office shall be liable to twice the penalty provided by the law for
such offence.
Transitional
Provisions _______________
Section 126. In the case where the selection of
members takes place while there is not yet President of the Supreme
Administrative Court, the Selection Committee under section 7 shall
have fourteen persons consisting of the President of the Supreme
Court of Justice, the President of the Constitutional Court, Rectors
of all State higher education institutions which are juristic
persons, being elected among themselves to be seven in number, and
representatives of all political parties having a member who is a
member of the House of Representatives, provided that each party
shall have one representative and all such representatives shall
elect among themselves to be five in number, as
members. Section 127. The
members elected by the resolution of the Senate under section 315
paragraph three of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand shall
hold office for half a term of that provided in section 12 and the
provisions allowing members to serve for only one term shall not
apply to such members. Section 128. All
allegations made against State officials, being the allegations
falling within the powers and duties of the Office of the Counter
Corruption Commission, which have been accepted by the Office of the
Counter Corruption prior to the date of the entry into force of this
Organic Act and pending the procedure under the Counter Corruption
Act, B.E. 2518 (1975) shall be proceeded by the National Counter
Corruption Commission in accordance with this Organic Act. For this
purpose, the activities already carried out by the Counter
Corruption Commission shall be valid and further proceeding shall be
as determined by the National Counter Corruption Commission.
In the case
where the allegation under paragraph one is the allegation in
respect of which the Counter Corruption Commission passes a
resolution that a State official committed corruption, the National
Counter Corruption Commission shall refer the matter to the superior
or the State agency concerned for further proceeding.
Section 129. The accounts
showing assets and liabilities submitted by State officials under
the Counter Corruption Act, B.E. 2518 and kept by the Office of the
Counter Corruption Commission shall be kept by the Office of the
National Counter Corruption Commission for the purpose of the
performance under this Organic Act and, if such State officials have
vacated office for more than five years, may be
destroyed. Section 130. All rules, regulations,
notifications or orders issued by virtue of the Constitution of the
Kingdom of Thailand or the Counter Corruption Act, B.E. 2518 and
remaining in force on the date of the entry into force of this
Organic Act shall continue to be in force insofar as they are not
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Organic Act
until regulations or notifications under this Organic Act are
issued. Section 131. All undertakings, property,
rights, liabilities, Government officials, employees and budget of
the Office of the Counter Corruption Commission under the Counter
Corruption Act, B.E. 2518 shall be transferred to the Office of the
National Counter Corruption Commission under this Organic Act.
The Government
officials and employees transferred under paragraph one shall hold
office and receive salaries and emoluments not lower than their
original office and
entitlement.
Section 132. The Secretary-General of the
Counter Corruption Commission under the Counter Corruption Act, B.E.
2518 shall perform the duty as Secretary-General of the National
Counter Corruption Commission under this Organic Act until
appointment of the Secretary-General of the National Counter
Corruption Commission is
made. Section 133. The State official under section
100 who obtains a concession from the State, a Government agency,
State agency, State enterprise or local administration or becomes a
party to a contract of a directly or indirectly monopolistic nature
made with the State, a Government agency, State agency, State
enterprise or local administration or becomes a partner or
shareholder in a partnership or company which is a concessionaire or
a contractual party in such manner may, if the concession, the
contract, the entry into partnership or the shareholding with or in
a partnership or a company which is a concessionaire or a
contractual party in such manner is in existence on the date of the
entry into force of this Organic Act, continue to hold such
concession or to be a contractual party, partner or shareholder in
the partnership or the company which is a concessionaire or a
contractual party in such manner until the expiration of the
concession or the contract.
Countersigned by: Chuan Leekpai Prime
Minister
Remark: The reason for
the promulgation of this Organic Act is that section 301 of the
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand provides that the National
Counter Corruption Commission has the powers to inspect assets and
liabilities of persons holding political positions and other State
officials, to conduct a fact inquiry and prepare an opinion in the
case where a request is lodged for removing high-raking State
officials from office and to inquire and give a decision as to
whether a State official has become unusually wealthy or committed
an offence of corruption or malfeasance in office, and in this
connection, section 329 provides that the organic law on counter
corruption shall be enacted within two years as from the date of the
promulgation of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. In this
instance, section 331 provides that such organic law shall have the
essential substance with regard to the acts amounting to unusual
wealthiness and corruption, acts amounting to conflict of interest
between personal interest and public interest, the rules, procedures
and process for the inquiry of facts related to the allegation and
penalties to be inflicted upon the President or a member of the
National Counter Corruption Commission in the event of carrying out
an act unjustly, committing an offence of corruption or malfeasance
in office. In addition, section 302 provides that the National
Counter Corruption Commission shall have the Office of the National
Counter Corruption Commission as a secretariat which shall enjoy
autonomy in the personnel administration, budget management and
other activities as provided by law. It is, therefore, necessary
that this Organic Act be enacted.
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