'Handling major corruption cases is still slow'

According to the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, voters acknowledged the results of the fight against corruption in recent times, but were also concerned about the fact that handling corruption cases and cases with serious consequences is still slow.

The report synthesizing opinions and recommendations of voters and people nationwide, presented by Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan - Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, to the National Assembly on the morning of May 22, showed that people are worried about a number of weak issues that have not been pushed back or overcome for many years, such as: corruption, waste, environmental pollution...

Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Nguyen Thien Nhan inspected sand mining in Dan Phuong district in early April 2017. Photo: Hoang Thuy.

Voters acknowledged that the discovery and disciplinary action against many officials and civil servants, including leaders and former high-ranking leaders, demonstrated the political determination and great responsibility of the Party and State before the people.

Many particularly serious corruption cases have been investigated and brought to trial. However, voters believe that the detection and handling of corruption cases with serious consequences is still slow; the clarification of the State management responsibilities of sectors and levels, especially for leaders in the investment management of some large projects that have incurred losses, causing large losses to the state budget, has not been timely.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, people require agencies and organizations, first of all leaders at all levels, to seriously implement Resolution 4 of the Party Central Committee (12th tenure), demonstrate determination through concrete actions; promptly detect, inspect, and strictly handle cadres, civil servants, and party members who show signs of "degeneration", "self-evolution", and "self-transformation".

Frustration about illegal sand mining

In the environmental field, voters believe that illegal sand mining is a fundamental cause of serious landslides along river banks and coastal areas in many localities, especially in the Central and Southern provinces, directly affecting the lives and production of people in some localities.

The Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front has repeatedly reported to the National Assembly and the Government on the situation of illegal sand mining and deforestation, including two petitions to the Government in 2013 and 2014 and four consecutive reports at the sessions of the 13th and 14th National Assembly from 2013 to 2016.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly directed ministries, branches and local authorities to rectify this situation, but up to now, illegal sand mining and deforestation are still taking place at a sophisticated level, challenging the government and public opinion.

"Voters demand that responsibilities be clearly identified and strict punishment be given to local leaders who have failed to take action," said Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, adding that people also petitioned the Prime Minister to more resolutely direct functional agencies and authorities at all levels to investigate and prosecute the subjects and "interest groups" who illegally mine sand, destroy forests, and defy the law; and direct solutions to overcome immediate and long-term consequences.

According to VNE