The numbers speak for themselves.

(Baonghean) - According to a survey by the Government Inspectorate, in 2012, 24.7% of officials and civil servants surveyed admitted to receiving money or gifts to resolve matters in a way that benefited the giver. 20.3% of officials surveyed admitted to being invited by businesses for sightseeing, entertainment, meals, and recreation. 50% of businesses surveyed stated that the group of businesses with connections to officials has an increasingly strong influence in policy making. 40% of businesses admitted to using their relationships with officials for personal gain. 42% of businesses had to pay commissions (%) to relevant officials in bidding processes to win contracts... The report also indicated that businesses related to government agencies often have to pay higher commissions than in other sectors, professions, and localities.

The old saying goes, "Money can tear through paper," and today we see that the "paper" of businesses has had a mind-numbing, mind-numbing, and even Alzheimer's-inducing effect on the minds of some officials in positions of power, including those who hold the scales of justice and formulate policies. Mr. Vu Quoc Hung, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Central Inspection Committee, stated: "This issue is very serious, in fact even more serious than what has been surveyed. If not prevented and resolved, this type of corruption will weaken and then paralyze the state management apparatus, seriously affecting the Party's leadership."

Let's imagine a time when the policies of the Party and the State are issued through the manipulation and distortion of these corrupt officials. Where would the integrity of "of the people, by the people, for the people" as envisioned by the Party be then? Many people worry: "Could it be that the commercialization of power is still silently taking place in the filthy mire of corruption in our society today?"

What General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong fears most is the survival of the regime. Could it be that this terrible consequence is quietly stemming from the commercialization of power among officials in general, and among a segment of officials with the authority to formulate policies who are then manipulated by the "dark side of the market mechanism"? This is precisely where the moral character and qualities of officials are assessed, and it forms the basis for defining the concept of "moral and lifestyle degradation" as General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong put forward at the Sixth Central Committee Conference.

Also in this survey, we see that some officials "embezzle" money from businesses through mutual consent, a win-win situation, rather than bribery or being bribed, or being set up or not being set up... Mr. Hung also argued that some officials were good people when they first entered office, but gradually became corrupt due to the allure of money. There are also officials who are "backed" and promoted by businesses, who pay to participate in the buying and selling of positions and power. These officials, already possessing a greedy and self-serving nature, now exploit businesses and rely on them to advance their careers. Such officials are, of course, "loyal" to the interests of businesses, readily "circumventing policies" and "circumventing laws" to serve the interests of both sides. Mr. Hung concluded: "Regardless of the circumstances, it must be affirmed that the blame lies with the leaders and heads of many state management agencies who have… 'sold themselves'."

To limit and eventually eliminate the "mutually beneficial" nature of this joint venture, policies are needed to separate them. The more they cling to each other for personal gain, the more disadvantaged one party must be. This means, at the very least, severely punishing officials who collude with businesses to issue or implement incorrect policies. Heavy penalties, dismissal, administrative fines, or criminal liability should all be applied. Currently, we have projects aimed at combating short-term thinking, the "59 effect" (retiring officials), and the "safe landing methods" of corrupt individuals!

At the end of this year, the Government Inspectorate's 2013 survey was released. There, we once again read some revealing figures. In 2012, in the context of an unhealthy administrative apparatus at all levels, businesses wanting to maintain and develop not only needed to focus on investing in technology and improving quality to compete, but also had to consider how to "grease the wheels" to get past "obstacles." Businesses wanting to operate legally encountered bureaucratic obstacles at various levels, lacking dedication, responsibility, fairness, transparency, and engaging in extortion, self-serving behavior, and corruption. The Central Inspection Committee of the Party and the Government are aware of all these issues and are seeking ways to address them...

Hopefully, the numbers in the committee's inspection and audit survey next year will tell us more good things and bring more joy!

Thach Quy (Vinh City)