Bangkok: Thailand's new military rulers on Monday stepped up efforts to expose alleged corruption in the government it overthrew, setting up a new anti-graft body with the power to seize assets of guilty politicians.
The military council named a high-level nine-member committee to investigate alleged wrongdoing in the administration of ousted Prime Minster Thaksin Shinawatra, who is suspected to have transferred some of his wealth abroad before the September 19 coup.
"There is a sufficient evidence to believe that (members of the former government) abused their power to reap benefits for their personal gain, and caused serious damage to the country,'' the military said in a late-night television announcement interrupting regular programming.
If there is sufficient evidence to prove wealth has been acquired illegally, the committee has the power to freeze or confiscate assets of the politician, his or her spouse, and children - including those under 18 years old, it said.
The committee, which has one year to complete its work, also shall forward cases to the Attorney General for prosecution, it said.
The military council, officially called the Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy, on Monday also announced new measures to choke off any possible opposition by banning political activities at the local level.
But under pressure from critics at home and abroad to restore democracy in the Southeast Asian country, it also said an interim civilian government may be announced in the next week.
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