'Director of Yen Bai Department of Natural Resources may be reprimanded or demoted'

Mr. Pham Trong Dat, Head of the inspection team of the case related to the real estate of the Director of Yen Bai Department of Natural Resources. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

On the afternoon of October 23, the Government Inspectorate announced its conclusion on the land plot at Group 42 and Group 52, Minh Tan Ward, Yen Bai City, Yen Bai Province; the compliance with the provisions of the law on transparency of assets and income of Mr. Pham Sy Quy - Director of the Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment (wife is Ms. Hoang Thi Hue) related to the above land plot.

VnExpress had an interview with Mr. Pham Trong Dat - Director of Anti-Corruption Department, Head of Inspection Team, about the above content.

- How did the inspection team clarify the origin of Mr. Quy's family's assets?

- During the inspection, we asked Mr. Quy to explain his and his family's assets, even their fluctuations over the years. Mr. Quy explained very clearly that the above assets include mostly bank loans and loans from friends, amounting to 19 billion VND. Of which, the investment in construction alone to change the land use purpose, build houses, and build farms cost more than 7 billion VND.

Mr. Quy also explained the bank loans, gold loans from friends and relatives. How the bank lent money, how Mr. Quy paid the interest and principal monthly is not under our jurisdiction.

- Many people think that it is unusual for a department-level official to borrow nearly 20 billion VND from the bank and friends to invest in real estate. What do you think?

- We cannot judge whether it is unusual or not, because this is Mr. Quy's family's personal matter.

He explained that he borrowed from the bank and the origin of the loan, we can only clarify that much, but where he got the money to pay with his civil servant salary is not within our authority.

- According to the inspection agency, Mr. Pham Sy Quy under-declared thousands of square meters of land, failed to declare a house and a bank loan. How will this be handled, sir?

- The law clearly states that as a leader, you must be a good example in the declaration work. If you are not strict, you will be disciplined by administrative measures. Specifically, we have clearly stated that Mr. Quy violated the declaration of assets and income; violated the provisions of the Law on Anti-Corruption in his role as head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and proposed strict disciplinary action.

Here, administrative discipline can be reprimand and the highest level is demotion. Demotion is the most severe level of administrative discipline. I think this level is also appropriate and consistent with the nature of the violations.

During the inspection, we found that the violations were not serious enough to warrant criminal prosecution, so we only stopped at administrative disciplinary action.

- How will Mr. Quy's letting his wife do real estate business, which is the field he manages, be handled?

- This needs to be clearly defined, at the time Mr. Quy's wife did business and converted the land use purpose for many households there, was Mr. Quy in charge of that field, or just in general charge? The authorities will base on this factor to determine the problem and have specific handling measures. Currently, the handling of officials who violate the Law on Anti-Corruption like this is still proactively taken by the locality. The inspection team can only propose and recommend handling measures.

- In case Yen Bai is lenient with violators, what action will the inspection team take?

- I believe Yen Bai will take this seriously, because from the beginning they have shown a very receptive spirit. The level of discipline for violators is Yen Bai's authority.

In case Yen Bai does not strictly implement, the first pressure from the public will be on the province itself. The public will closely monitor and supervise this matter. In addition, after the implementation results are available, they must be reported to the Prime Minister, so it is difficult to do it carelessly.

- As the head of the inspection team, how do you evaluate the team's responsibility and objectivity of the inspection conclusion?

- I affirmed that the main goal from the beginning was to ensure objectivity in the inspection. This should have been the job of Yen Bai Inspectorate, but they invited and requested the Government Inspectorate to get involved, so we had to do it as closely and objectively as possible.

The conclusion has stated quite fully all the issues surrounding the inspection content, ensuring that no violation, no matter how small, is missed.

- Was the inspection team under any pressure during their work?

- We never received any pressure. And I also affirm that no pressure can force me. Only the law can force me to do the right thing.

According to VNE