Late Repentance

(Baonghean) - During his tenure as a commune land official, T received money from households to make fake land certificates.

In 2008, together with another officer, T created a false list of people receiving compensation for land clearance, causing a loss of hundreds of millions of dong. For two acts: "abusing position and power in performing official duties" and "forging documents", T was sentenced to 30 months in prison by the People's Court of D.L district. In the appeal trial, the People's Court of Nghe An province also upheld the first instance judgment. T is currently serving his sentence at Prison No. 3 - Ministry of Public Security (located in Nghia Dung commune, Tan Ky). During the days behind bars, facing the verdict, more than anyone else, T has realized the price he had to pay. In the campaign "Write a letter of repentance" launched by General Department VIII, Ministry of Public Security, T had "heartfelt" words of apology to the government and people of his commune: "With the thought of contributing my efforts to build my homeland so that it becomes more prosperous and happy. Yet I myself have committed wrongdoings, violated the law, affected the reputation of the leadership of my commune, the local government, caused economic losses to the State, and lost the trust of the people. Thinking back, I cannot lift my head, I am extremely ashamed"...

Illustration photo (An Vinh).

Facing the four walls of the prison camp during sleepless nights, when somewhere he heard the cries of a child, the lullaby of a mother... tears of regret kept falling on the face of the man who had lost himself because he could not overcome the temptation of material things: "There were nights when I tossed and turned because I missed home, my wife and children, my heart ached, my eyes were stinging, my heart was choked with indescribable sorrow, I felt so sorry for my wife and children. Many times I wished I could hold my baby, hum a lullaby and tears just flowed. Therefore, the more I thought about it, the more I hated myself for being wrong, causing so many things to fall apart, happiness to be broken, my parents to be humiliated in front of the neighbors", T confided on the page.

Regretting what he had let slip away, T felt even more deeply the pain he had caused to those who had trusted and loved him. Time had allowed T to recognize his mistakes, even though it was too late. In a letter from prison, T had honestly admitted his mistakes to the Party Committee and the people of his commune, and at the same time “hoped that the cadres and party members would forgive me. A bowl of water spilled cannot be filled again, I have caused such heavy losses to my commune. Because I understand that losing trust means losing credibility. When will the stain I caused be washed away for the reputation of my commune agency? I know that my mistakes were too great, but anyway, I want to say it again, asking the leaders and people of my commune to forgive me”. T’s heartfelt words of repentance, though late, were truly touching and a warning lesson for those who lack courage, and lose their own honor for material interests…

Khang Hoa