Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on March 31 defendedherself against negligence charges linked to her government’s ricepledging scheme, which was brought against her by the NationalAnti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
NACC memberPrasart Pongsivapal told the media that Yingluck asked for more time tocall on 10 witnesses and to submit further documents to support herdefence.
Yingluck has been charged with dereliction ofduty for overseeing the rice-buying scheme, a policy that brought herto power in the 2011 election with the help of the rural poor but thathas since run up huge losses and left hundreds of thousands of farmersunpaid.
If the commission officially accuses Yingluck,the case will be forwarded to the country’s Senate for possibleimpeachment, and Yingluck will be suspended from her official duties.
Prasart noted that the NACC will consider whetherthe 10 witnesses and documents relate to this scheme, and will act withimpartiality towards the prime minister and in a straight-forwardmanner.-VNA