Must point out and expose the officials who back and protect

Mr. Vu Mao: "We must point out and name those who have committed violations and shortcomings; those who are both protective and conservative must be disciplined...".

At a recent conference to strengthen inspection and handling of violations of traffic safety, urban order, public order, roads and sidewalks in Hanoi, Mr. Nguyen Duc Chung - Chairman of the City People's Committee frankly pointed out the negative aspects and group interests that have existed for a long time. More than 80% of sidewalk beer stalls are protected by the police, many parking lots are "backed" by ward, district, department and industry leaders.

Through the frank words of the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, the weakness of Party committees at all levels in managing cadres and party members is "revealed", still tolerating the protection and backing of cadres and party members. Regarding this content, VOV reporter interviewed Mr. Vu Mao - former member of the Party Central Committee, former Head of the National Assembly Office.

Mr. Vu Mao - former member of the Party Central Committee, former Head of the National Assembly Office.

PV:What do you think about the statement of Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung?

Mr. Vu Mao:I think those statements are very frank, sincere, and dare to clearly state the long-standing reality. We must dare to speak frankly and clearly like that to be determined to change and move forward.

PV: Some people think that since the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee has been so frank, he should name the individuals and organizations that protected him and discipline some officials and party members in the incident to set an example. Because this is not a new incident but has existed for a long time. What is your opinion on this issue?

Mr. Vu Mao:It is very necessary to name those people, and public opinion is also waiting for that. A few years ago, when talking with the former Secretary of the City Party Committee, I clearly stated the issue of corruption.

Now comrade Nguyen Duc Chung has spoken the truth that it is very necessary for us to consider the cadre team with each specific subject and person and must resolutely do it, do it thoroughly.

PV:Currently, big cities like Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City are also taking action to deal with the encroachment of sidewalks and roads. According to your observations, are there any backing and protection issues like in Hanoi in these big cities?

Mr. Vu Mao: Those phenomena are very common, but I am very happy that Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi are also determined to do it, creating a movement. If these big cities do well, they will become examples for the whole country. Therefore, the important thing is to avoid "the elephant's head and the mouse's tail".

PV:Public opinion agrees with the straightforward statement of the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, but many people also ask: why has the matter existed for so long, the people know it and the leaders also know it, but in the Party cell meetings, criticism and self-criticism of cadres and Party members in Hanoi as well as many other localities, it has not been pointed out?

Mr. Vu Mao: That shows weakness. The weapon of criticism and self-criticism is extremely important, that weapon must always be sharpened, always practiced. However, in the past, from top to bottom, from bottom to top, everything was weak and respectful to each other.

This is a risk and if we do not promptly fix it, it will be very dangerous. Therefore, if it is a risk, it must be rescued and resolved fundamentally.

PV: Recently, at the 2017 National Conference of the Party Organization and Building Sector, delegates also pointed out that the work of evaluating cadres still has a state of deference, fear of conflict and achievement disease. Why is it that even though the problem is clearly pointed out, it is still so difficult to overcome it, sir?

Mr. Vu Mao:That is the lack of exemplary behavior of cadres and party members. We have not systematically and thoroughly addressed this issue. Public opinion has welcomed our approach, with District 1 – Ho Chi Minh City emerging as the most prominent example, but they are also very concerned and worried about whether this approach can be maintained in the long term. In practice, over the past few decades, we have also been enthusiastic and determined, but then returned to the old ways. This is a lesson that needs to be learned.

The lesson learned here is specifically to base on the law and act in accordance with the law; secondly, to understand the people's hearts and lives. We are determined with such concrete actions but we also have to open up the way for the people.

Because for a long time, we have been allowed to relax and let people do business freely, but now changing it in a strict way will affect the rights and livelihoods of people. This also needs to be understood and resolved because this issue seems small but is part of a general revolution.

I think that after the 12th Party Resolution, the 4th Central Resolution (12th tenure) started in 2016, 2017 must have higher quality.

PV:The sidewalk story seems small but shows that this is a test of the people against the local government, don't you think?

Mr. Vu Mao: That's right. I think that in this atmosphere, we have to continue, do it further and have to research systematically. At the grassroots level, we also study their solutions, but basically on a macro level, we have to have complete research to have good direction. In the new perception of building a rule of law state, we have to express it in legal documents.

PV: Another important factor is to tighten Party discipline. Through this incident, many opinions say that it is necessary to handle the responsibility of the heads of Party committees and authorities who cover up violations in their units, do not let the press and people expose and name them before being confused about how to fix them. Do you agree with this point of view?

Mr. Vu Mao: Many cases are discovered through the press, but the leaders only know about them before implementing them, and sometimes the implementation is not thorough. Therefore, we must tighten the team, clarify right and wrong, and be strict from top to bottom, without leniency.

We must point out and expose those who have committed violations and shortcomings; those who are both protective and conservative must be resolutely disciplined and removed from the team such negative elements. That is a very necessary task for us.

PV:Thank you sir./.

According to VOV