Former Deputy Head of the Central Organizing Committee: 'There are loopholes and weaknesses in personnel management'

Regarding the phenomenon of some officials degenerating and then fleeing abroad, according to Mr. Le Quang Thuong, the work of managing officials is lacking and weak.

Mr. Le Quang Thuong, former Deputy Head of the Central Organizing Committee, answered VOV.VN reporter's interview about Resolution 4 of the 12th Central Committee.

Mr. Le Quang Thuong.

PV:Resolution 4 of the 12th Central Committee pointed out 27 manifestations of ideological, moral and lifestyle degradation; manifestations of “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”. Sir, why does the Resolution emphasize this issue in the current situation?

Mr. Le Quang Thuong: In the 11th term, the Central Committee also issued Resolution 4 on “Some urgent issues in Party building today”. In the 12th term, the Central Committee continued to issue a new Resolution on Party building. Compared to the previous Resolution, this Resolution stated in quite detail the signs of degradation in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle; the signs of “self-transformation” and “self-evolution” within the Party. The Central Committee also stated the subjective and objective causes in great detail.

The Resolution emphasizes the above content in the current situation because the negative and degenerate issues in the Party have not ended and are still continuing. The specific reasons include: the self-awareness of cadres and party members in training and self-cultivation is not good, a number of cadres and party members have poor self-cultivation; the self-awareness and party spirit of party members have decreased. Secondly, the political and ideological education work of Party organizations has not been timely and thorough.

Third, the Party's mechanisms, policies, regulations and the State's mechanisms and policies, specifically those on combating negativity and corruption, are inadequate and law enforcement is weak.

Fourth, the work of summarizing and drawing lessons from experience by party committees and party organizations at all levels is not complete and timely.

Objectively, due to the negative impact of the market economy, activities that take advantage of the development of science, information technology, globalization and international integration. Hostile and reactionary forces are stepping up the implementation of the strategy of "peaceful evolution", taking advantage of our weaknesses and loopholes to distort the situation, promoting a lifestyle of enjoyment, pragmatism, selfishness and individualism; colluding with opportunists and politically dissatisfied elements to operate vigorously, sabotage the revolution in increasingly sophisticated and dangerous ways.

PV:The resolution also emphasizes the use of power for personal gain or for relatives and acquaintances to take advantage of their power for personal gain. In fact, in recent times, there has been a situation of “the whole family holding official positions” in some places. What do you think about this phenomenon?

Mr. Le Quang Thuong:There are phenomena as reported by the press. But that situation is not common in the Party. Where leaders are not serious, do not set an example, and organization and management are poor; where the phenomenon of buying positions, buying power, bribery, and corruption is complicated, that phenomenon will arise. Where there is seriousness, that will not happen.

We encourage young people to succeed and progress, all young people have the opportunity to strive and practice. But the striving of young people today is not only the path of an official but also many other paths. Therefore, we should advise young people to strive in life through their talents and practical experience. In the case of relying on parents or relatives to get a position, there will be a situation where two young people in the same unit, one is the child of a cadre, especially a key leader, and the other is the child of a commoner, then the child of a leader will usually be given priority because the collective respects that leader.

Therefore, how can collectives, unions, youth unions, residential groups, etc. understand that situation to fight to ensure equality in society, not allowing the phenomenon of officials taking advantage of their positions to seek personal benefits, putting their children in positions without attaching importance to promoting and properly using outstanding young people from all social sectors.

PV:According to you, what solutions are needed to limit this situation?

Mr. Le Quang Thuong:It is necessary to specify the regulations and statutes of the Party and the State. Where such regulations have not been specified, they must be supplemented immediately.

For example, the issue of commenting and evaluating cadres needs to have regulations on how to evaluate correctly, based on how the people, organizations, and party members evaluate cadres, not just the collective decision of the Party Committee. Regulations on evaluating, promoting, and appointing cadres must be democratic and fair. It must be announced to the unit, organization, and locality to know who to promote, and how to promote according to the correct procedure.

All those who are promoted or appointed must have an action plan and announce it to the locality and base, even post it on the mass media for the people to know. Resolutely screen, dismiss, replace, and allow resignation of ineffective officials, those who do not complete their tasks, are weak in capacity, have poor moral qualities, and have low credibility without waiting for the end of their term or working age, especially leaders, managers, and heads.

PV:The Resolution also raises the issue of controlling the exercise of power by those in positions of authority. What specifically should we do, in your opinion?

Mr. Le Quang Thuong: Power has two directions, one direction is to hold power through elections. Those who participate in elections supervise and show their attitude; one direction is to have power delegated on the basis of appointment, which requires responsibility from those who decide on the appointment. If the appointment is not correct, the superior will discipline the person who made the decision.

Therefore, to control power, it is necessary to supplement specific regulations. One is through the mechanism of voters supervising; two is through the cadre management system that stipulates the responsibilities of each level and is supervised by the masses, superiors, inspectors, and examiners for handling.

PV:Recently, some officials have committed wrongdoings, degenerated, and then fled abroad. What should be done to prevent this situation, sir?

Mr. Le Quang Thuong: The responsibility of the management agencies for allowing the phenomenon of corrupt and corrupt officials to flee abroad is on the shoulders of the authorities. These cases show signs of violations, business losses, and have been reviewed, but the authorities do not closely monitor them.

Previously, there was also a case like Duong Chi Dung who fled to the US but was unable to enter. When he returned to Cambodia, he was followed and arrested by the Vietnamese police. This shows that the management of cadres is lacking, weak, and unclear about responsibilities. Those who show signs of violations and are under surveillance must be closely monitored by the responsible agency.

To prevent the above situation, authorities need to strengthen personnel management, tighten the responsibility of leaders and violators, and consider handling them with appropriate forms.

PV:Recently, the Secretariat has decided to remove Mr. Vu Huy Hoang - former Minister of Industry and Trade - from his position as Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the period 2011-2016. In your opinion, what is the significance of this decision in the current period?

Mr. Le Quang Thuong:As far as I understand, this is the first case of a retired official still being disciplined. For a long time, we have disciplined incumbents, while those who have retired have been criticized, self-criticized, and dealt with at the local party organization.

For example, wherever retired cadre A participates in Party activities, the local Party Committee is responsible for enforcing discipline. But this time, the Secretariat decided to remove Mr. Vu Huy Hoang from his position as Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the period 2011-2016, showing the meaning that retirement does not mean the end of fate with life, but a "safe landing".

This is a precedent for future disciplinary action against violators, especially serious violators, including retirees, thereby having a deterrent effect on officials still in office.

PV: Thank you sir./.

According to VOV