Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh has not been in Hau Giang for a month.

On the afternoon of August 27, Mr. Dong Van Thanh, permanent vice chairman of Hau Giang Provincial People's Committee, said that for more than a month now, Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh has not been present at the Provincial People's Committee.

Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh's office at Hau Giang Provincial People's Committee is always closed - Photo: HTD

Up to now, provincial leaders have not heard any information related to Mr. Thanh from central agencies.

Mr. Thanh's whereabouts are unknown.

“Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh is still a member of the provincial Party Committee, participating in Party activities at the Party cell of the Hau Giang Provincial People's Committee Office, but since the working group of the Central Inspection Committee started working, Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh has rarely been present in Hau Giang. For more than a month now, we have not known where Mr. Thanh has been,” Mr. Thanh said.

Answering the question of why provincial officials have not been present at work for a whole month and where they are without the Provincial People's Committee knowing, Mr. Dong Van Thanh said that Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh is no longer the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, so the Provincial People's Committee no longer manages and assigns work.

"I don't know whether the Provincial Party Committee will grant him (Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh - PV) leave or not. This is decided by the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee because he is an official under the management of the Provincial Party Committee," said Mr. Thanh.

Meanwhile, according to Tuoi Tre's investigation, not only is Mr. Thanh absent at the present time, but he was also absent at several previous meetings of the Provincial Party Executive Committee.

The only time officials at the Hau Giang Provincial People's Committee office saw Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh appear was on the afternoon of July 13, when the Central Inspection Committee's working group came to announce the conclusion of Mr. Thanh's violations.

Since then, Mr. Thanh's office on the 2nd floor of Hau Giang Provincial People's Committee headquarters has always been closed.

"The leaders of Hau Giang province have not yet arranged work after Mr. Thanh is no longer the vice chairman of the provincial People's Committee, but are waiting for the conclusion and further instructions from the central government," a source said.

Ministry of Public Security intervenes

As reported by Tuoi Tre, implementing the direction of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the Central Inspection Committee has inspected signs of violations against Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh.

Accordingly, the Central Inspection Commission concluded that during the period from 2007 to 2013, in his positions as deputy secretary of the Party Committee, general director, secretary of the Party Committee, and chairman of the board of directors of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Construction Joint Stock Corporation (PVC), despite recommendations and warnings from inspection and auditing agencies about the situation of losses and potential losses, Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh and the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, the board of directors, the board of general directors, and the board of supervisors of the corporation were irresponsible, lax in leadership, management, and operation, lacked inspection and supervision, violated the provisions of the law on economic management, allowing many violations and losses of VND 3,298.27 billion (2011-2013 period), many organizations and individuals in the corporation were disciplined and criminally prosecuted.

Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh in a rare appearance at the headquarters of the People's Committee of Hau Giang province (taken on July 13, after the Central Inspection Committee's working group announced the initial conclusion of Mr. Thanh's violations - Photo: L.DAN

As the head, Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh must take primary responsibility for the above shortcomings and violations.

However, Mr. Thanh has not been serious, sincere and self-conscious in accepting his responsibilities, shortcomings and violations.

When transferred to work in Hau Giang, as a member of the provincial Party Committee and vice chairman of the provincial People's Committee, Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh used a public license plate on a private car for use, which was against regulations, causing resentment and anger among officials, party members and the people.

The Central Inspection Committee assessed Mr. Thanh's actions as lacking in exemplary conduct, violating Regulation No. 101-QD/TW dated June 7, 2012 of the Central Secretariat on "the responsibility to set an example for cadres and party members, especially leaders at all levels".

The Central Inspection Committee also assessed through inspection that in the reception, transfer, appointment, planning, and election introduction at the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Hau Giang province for Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh, the Party organizations, agencies, units, and individuals involved had shortcomings, violated principles, processes, procedures, and standards for cadres...

The Central Inspection Committee also recommended that the Politburo and the Secretariat direct the Central Organizing Committee, the Standing Committee of the Hau Giang Provincial Party Committee, the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and the leaders of the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group to organize a review, clarify responsibilities and handle relevant collectives and individuals for shortcomings and violations.

Directing competent authorities to conduct a summary, review, and evaluation to amend and supplement regulations and procedures on personnel work; the National Election Council considers and does not recognize the status of a deputy of the 14th National Assembly for Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh.

The Central Inspection Committee decided and requested to conduct the review and disciplinary process against Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh; continue to inspect, clarify responsibilities and consider the review of responsibilities of collectives and individuals for violations at PVC Corporation; inspect when there are signs of violations against the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the 2010-2015 term; request the Central Public Security Party Committee to direct the functional agencies of the public security sector to review and revoke public vehicle license plates (blue plates) that have been issued and used in violation of regulations.

Immediately after the Central Inspection Commission announced this conclusion, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh also directed the Ministry of Public Security to investigate and clarify the violations of Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh at PVC Corporation.

According to TTO