How to control power from corruption?

Therefore, one of the solutions proposed by the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption to prevent corruption is to strengthen supervision and control of power. So how can power be tightly controlled, so that power does not degenerate?

Resolution 4 of the 12th Party Central Committee clearly states that one of the manifestations of moral and lifestyle degradation is: “Embezzlement, corruption, taking advantage of positions and powers to collude with businesses and other subjects for personal gain. Taking advantage of and abusing assigned positions and powers to condone, cover up, and assist corruption and negativity.”

Reality shows that the story of abuse of power and position is real and not rare. Most recently, the Central Inspection Committee issued a Notice of the 28th meeting, concluding the violations and shortcomings of a number of individuals, including Lieutenant General Bui Van Thanh and Senior Lieutenant General Tran Viet Tan, for violating the protection of state secrets.

Public opinion is in agreement with the disciplinary action against party members who commit violations and abuse their positions and powers to facilitate corruption. This further affirms that “there are no forbidden zones”. Anyone who commits violations, including high-ranking leaders and generals in the police and military sectors, will be subject to disciplinary action.

Mr. Vu Mao - former member of the Party Central Committee, former Head of the National Assembly Office, said that the current Party building and rectification requires a mechanism to control power and perfect institutions to combat corruption among cadres and party members. If a mechanism to control power is not established, moral degradation within the Party of cadres, party members, friends or "disabilities" within the Party will not be eliminated.

“We must control power as per the Resolution of the 6th Central Conference. How to control it? According to Article 4 of the Constitution, the Party leads the state and society. The Party is the highest power, so controlling the Party's power must also be raised. I propose to study and amend the Party's charter to control power. Second, to control power, the authority, duties and responsibilities must be clear. There must be a law on the leadership of the Party. The Party is subject to the supervision of the people, that must be reflected in the legal system,” Mr. Vu Mao stated his opinion.

The summary of the implementation of anti-corruption work since the beginning of the 12th Party Congress until now clearly shows that: One of the reasons why anti-corruption work has not been effective is that the mechanism for controlling power has been slow to be completed. The work of inspecting and supervising the exercise of power by people with positions and powers has not received due attention. Inspection and examination of personnel work is still limited. Law enforcement in general and implementation of Party and State regulations on anti-corruption in particular is not strict, discipline in some places is still lax.

So what is the most effective mechanism to control power? From local reality, Mr. Ho Van Nam - Head of the Internal Affairs Committee of Dong Nai province said that it is necessary to promote the role of the people and the press in monitoring power, because if only strengthening the supervision of the People's Council, the National Assembly, and the Fatherland Front is not enough.

"The current power control mechanism is clearly defined but implementation is difficult. There must be a specialized agency. Capitalist countries have separation of powers, but in our country, power is unified. Only strengthening the supervision of the People's Council, the National Assembly, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front is not strict and effective," Mr. Ho Van Nam stated the reality.

Power, if used properly, will have great power to reform the old society and build a new society. Power that is delegated without control will lead to abuse of power. The problem of power degeneration and the current model of anti-corruption institutions are not commensurate with the current situation. The "root" for the emergence of corruption is the mechanism of asking and giving, or the State's intervention too deeply in the market economy, over-emphasizing the role of corporations and general companies, thereby contributing to the emergence of negativity and corruption. When the "root" foundation that gives rise to corruption is dealt with, corruption will be resolved. In particular, it is necessary to pay attention to fundamental solutions in closely monitoring power.

Ha Tinh Provincial Party Secretary Le Dinh Son said that to monitor power, it must be institutional, or in other words, that institution must be specified by law.

“First, there must be institutions, institutions must be built. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has said many times, "power must be locked in a cage of mechanisms", which is completely correct. But in my opinion, once there are institutions, the person who operates those institutions is even more important. Because failure comes from the person who operates them. This is clear in practice. Second, the cadre process must be democratic, public, and especially transparent. Third, cadres must be evaluated correctly, evaluated in substance. Fourth, implementation must be checked and checked immediately at each stage of implementation and accountability and responsibility of leaders must be improved. We must strictly implement "cannot" and "don't dare". This is a very important measure, not allowing each cadre to take advantage, and at the same time "don't dare" because of going beyond discipline, discipline must be strictly implemented", Mr. Le Dinh Son stated his opinion.

Often, when power is delegated, it can lead to abuse of power, abuse of power, and authoritarianism. Therefore, there needs to be a mechanism to control the abuse of power. That control mechanism is stipulated by the Constitution and the law. The people expect each cadre and party member to always cultivate revolutionary ethics and wholeheartedly serve the people. On the other hand, party organizations at all levels also need to focus on educating cadres and party members, regularly monitor to "treat the abuse of power", ensure that power is always used for the right purpose, not exploited or abused./.