We must expose and name the officials who are providing protection and support.

Mr. Vu Mao: "We must identify and name those who have committed violations and shortcomings; those who both cover up and are conservative must be disciplined..."

At a recent conference on strengthening inspection and handling of violations related to traffic safety, urban order, public order, and sidewalks in Hanoi, Mr. Nguyen Duc Chung – Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee – frankly pointed out the long-standing negative practices and vested interests that have existed. More than 80% of sidewalk beer stalls are protected by the police, and many parking lots have the "backing" of leaders at the ward, district, and departmental levels.

The blunt remarks of the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee "revealed" the weaknesses of Party committees at all levels in managing cadres and Party members, still tolerating the protection and backing of cadres and Party members. Regarding this issue, a VOV reporter interviewed Mr. Vu Mao – former Central Committee member and former Head of the National Assembly Office.

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

PV:What are your comments on the statement by the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, Nguyen Duc Chung?

Mr. Vu Mao:I believe 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 in order to resolutely make changes and move forward.

PVSome argue that since the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee has been so frank, he should specifically name the individuals and organizations providing protection and immediately discipline some officials and Party members involved in the case to set an example. This is not a new issue but has existed for a long time. What is your opinion on this matter?

Mr. Vu Mao:It is essential to name those individuals specifically, and the public is waiting for that. A few years ago, when I spoke with the former Party Secretary of the City Committee, I clearly stated the issue of corruption.

Today, Comrade Nguyen Duc Chung has spoken the truth, which is essential for us to examine the cadre team, considering each individual and specific person, and to resolutely and thoroughly address the issue.

PV:Currently, major cities like Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City are also launching campaigns to address the encroachment on sidewalks and roads. Based on your observations, is there a similar situation of protection and backing in these major cities as in Hanoi?

Mr. Vu MaoThese phenomena are very common, but I'm very pleased that Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi are also resolutely taking action, creating a movement. If these major cities do well, they will become role models for the whole country. Therefore, the important thing is to ensure that we don't start with a bang and finish with a whimper.

PV:Public opinion agrees with the frank statement of the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, but many also question: why has this issue persisted for so long, known to both the people and the leaders, yet it was not pointed out during Party branch meetings or in the self-criticism and criticism sessions of officials and Party members in Hanoi and many other localities?

Mr. Vu MaoThat speaks to weakness. Criticism and self-criticism are extremely important weapons; they must always be sharpened and always put into practice. However, recently, both from top to bottom and from bottom to top, there has been weakness and deference towards one another.

This is a risk, and if we don't address it promptly, it will be very dangerous. Therefore, since it's a risk, we must rescue the situation and resolve it fundamentally.

PVRecently, at the 2017 National Conference of the Party Organization and Construction Sector, delegates also pointed out that the evaluation of cadres still suffers from favoritism, reluctance to confront issues, and a focus on achieving results for the sake of appearances. Why is it that despite identifying these shortcomings, overcoming them is so difficult, sir?

Mr. Vu Mao:This reflects a lack of exemplary conduct among officials and Party members. We haven't addressed this issue systematically and thoroughly. Public opinion highly commends our approach, particularly in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, but they also express concerns about its sustainability. In practice, over the past few decades, we've pursued this vigorously and decisively, only to revert to the old ways. This is a lesson we must learn from.

The lessons learned here are, specifically, that we must base our actions on the law and act in accordance with the law; secondly, we must understand the people's feelings and their lives. We are being resolute with these specific actions, but we must also provide opportunities for the people.

For a long time, the regulations have been relaxed and people have been able to conduct their business freely, but now, a strict change will affect their rights and livelihoods. This needs to be understood and addressed, because this seemingly small issue is part of a larger overall revolution.

I believe that, following the Party's 12th Resolution and the Central Committee Resolution No. 4 (12th term) which initiated the work in 2016, the quality of work in 2017 must be higher.

PV:The sidewalk issue may seem like a minor issue, but it shows how the people are testing the local authorities, doesn't it, sir?

Mr. Vu MaoThat's right. I think that, in this atmosphere, we must continue, move forward, and conduct thorough research. At the grassroots level, we should also study their solutions, but fundamentally, at the macro level, we need comprehensive research to provide effective guidance. In the new understanding of building a rule of law state, we must express this through legal documents.

PVAnother important factor is tightening Party discipline. Following this incident, many opinions suggest that the heads of Party committees and government agencies who cover up wrongdoings within their units should be held accountable, and that they shouldn't wait for the press and the public to expose and name wrongdoings before scrambling to rectify the situation. Do you agree with this viewpoint?

Mr. Vu MaoMany incidents are only discovered by leaders through the media, and even then, the implementation is often incomplete. Therefore, it is necessary to tighten control over the team, clarify right from wrong, and be strict from top to bottom without favoritism.

We must identify and name those who have committed violations and shortcomings; those who both cover up and remain conservative must be resolutely disciplined and removed from the ranks. This is a very necessary task for us.

PV:Thank you, sir.

According to VOV