Just follow the rules!

(Baonghean) - There are things that, at first glance, seem new and good, so people hastily praise and support them. But in reality, they are not necessarily new, and excessive praise can sometimes be counterproductive.

The recent public outcry regarding the Quang Binh Provincial Party Committee's request for heads of units under its Standing Committee to sign a commitment to fulfill their responsibilities as heads and deputy heads of agencies and units—a commitment with very clear terms—stated that if they operate half-heartedly, cause internal disunity, or allow family members or relatives to participate in activities that affect personal responsibility; or if they handle work slowly, cause bottlenecks, or engage in corruption, they must resign. If they do not resign, the Provincial Party Committee will resolutely transfer them to another position. At first glance, this seems like a new and positive development in personnel management. However, in reality, it's not quite like that.

Cartoon: Internet

First and foremost, it must be acknowledged that this approach clearly demonstrates the local leadership's determination to tighten administrative discipline, enhance the accountability of leaders in agencies, localities, and units throughout the province, and prevent abuse and exploitation of positions for personal gain – a rather sensitive issue that is causing much anxiety and resentment in society and is very difficult to resolve completely in the short term.

However, upon closer examination, this approach may not be a good one. Signing such commitments reveals a weakness and a worrying reality within the public administration system: the failure to strictly enforce the Law on Public Officials. Article 18 of this law clearly stipulates actions that public officials are prohibited from doing, particularly those related to public service ethics.

This includes: Evading responsibility, shirking assigned duties; creating factions, causing disunity; arbitrarily abandoning work or participating in strikes. Using state and public property illegally. Abusing duties and powers; using information related to official duties for personal gain. Discriminating against ethnicity, gender, social class, beliefs, or religion in any form. If violated, depending on the severity, disciplinary action may range from a warning to dismissal or forced termination of employment.

In short, the Law on Cadres and Civil Servants clearly stipulates what cadres and civil servants are prohibited from doing, and violations will result in disciplinary action, similar to the commitments that Quang Binh province recently required its leaders in departments, agencies, localities, and units to sign pledges not to violate. Therefore, if the Law on Cadres and Civil Servants were strictly implemented by cadres and civil servants from top to bottom, there would not be delays, bottlenecks, or self-serving behavior in the performance of official duties, which would cause public complaints and stalled work, to the point where the Provincial Party Committee had to force subordinates to sign pledges.

To be fair, signing commitments to promote morale and responsibility in the performance of assigned tasks by officials, especially those in leadership positions, is necessary and not contrary to the law. However, a side effect of this action is that it leads to neglect and disregard of the Law on Officials and Public Employees. After all, the law already clearly and fully stipulates similar provisions, so it should simply be implemented as is. Those who err or violate the law should be dealt with according to the law, without leniency or exceptions. Why create additional regulations and commitments that are nothing more than a kind of "sub-license"?

Furthermore, this method of assigning responsibility through signed commitments has been used in many other sectors, fields, and localities, but the results have not been as desired. Evidence of this is that many places have signed commitments to prevent overloaded vehicles and smuggling.

If this happens, the individuals in charge and the responsible agencies will be punished in various ways, but overloaded trucks still run rampant, smuggling continues to worsen, and yet no one has been punished as promised. Therefore, frankly speaking, signing these commitments is merely superficial, primarily for showing and promoting determination. The effectiveness remains uncertain and largely depends on whether the monitoring and enforcement actions from higher-level management agencies are resolute and strict.

Therefore, the best approach is still to strictly and fully implement the regulations of the law. Cultivate a habit of unconditionally respecting the rule of law, rather than imposing conditions before compliance. Just act according to the law, handle matters according to the law, and there's no need for commitments!

Buddha Mountain