CP TO PURSUE PLAN AFTER COURT VERDICT

       The Charoen Pokphand Group will shortly proceed with its integrated rubber business plans following the Supreme Court's acquittal yesterday of 44 defendants accused of wrongdoing in the controversial sapling scheme.
       Criminal charges against former deputy agriculture minister Newin Chidchob and four other ex-ministers, as well as bureaucrats and businessmen, including those of the CP Group, were all dropped.
       The court's verdict, which took two and a half hours to read out, said no laws had been violated, because the scheme, costing Bt1.44 billion during the tenure of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was intended to develop rubber plantations in the Kingdom.
       The scheme, in which 90 million rubber saplings would be handed out to farmers, had been initiated by Newin, now a powerful figure behind prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's coalition government, as well as other ex-ministers, including former deputy premier Somkid Jatusripitak and former commerce minister Adisai Bodharamik.
       If found guilty, Newin and others could have faced imprisonment, because they stood accused of violating the Criminal Code, state procurement guidelines and other laws.
       Following the Supreme Court's verdict, Montri Congtrakultien, president of the CP Group's Crop Integration Business Group, said the firm would proceed with its three-point plan for achieving integration of its rubber-business development programme.
       Given that the 90-million-sapling scheme was suspended, he said the group would take responsibility for delivering the remaining 16 million saplings to growers.
       Its business policy is to promote the use of hybrid JVP 80 rubber saplings under the Agriculture Department's promotion project.
       Second, the group early next year will introduce rubber-tree harvesting machines that will allow farmers to tap rubber trees in all weather, including rain.
       In addition, the group is also in talks with potential partners from Japan and China to join forces in developing value-added rubber products. They include Unimax International, a Chinese manufacturer and exporter of various kinds of sealing and thermal insulating products.
       Federation of Thai Industries chairman Santi Vilassakdanont said all parties should accept the Supreme Court's verdict.
       "I believe most people are happy with the court's verdict. Since all 44 defendants - who are politicians and state officials - have been found not guilty, things should be able to move on smoothly," he said.
       Spa-Hakuhodo chairman Kitti Chambundabongse called the rubber-sapling verdict "fair".
       "Our judiciary system and its verdicts must be respected," he said, adding that the sapling scheme was good for people and their livelihoods.
       "The rubber-sapling project needs to be implemented flexibly, due to its nature as an agricultural project."