'Big wood, wet wood must burn when amending the Law on Anti-Corruption'

National Assembly delegates emphasized that the amendment to the Law on Anti-Corruption must be repaired and reinforced to ensure that all types of "firewood" must burn.

Corruption is often caused by people with positions and power.

Discussing the draft Law on Anti-Corruption (amended) at the 4th Session of the 14th National Assembly, delegate Nguyen Van Chien (Hanoi delegation) said that the issue of corruption has never been as "hot" as it is now. The entire Party and people have identified this as a national disaster, an internal enemy that must be fought thoroughly.

However, according to the delegate, 10 years of implementing the current Law on Anti-Corruption is like building a furnace but the "wood" is big and the "wood" is wet and cannot burn. So, to amend this law, we must repair and reinforce it so that all types of wood can burn.

National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Van Chien: "Reinforce the furnace so that all types of firewood must burn"

“The law amendment must be implemented in a way that reflects the Party’s guidelines and the people’s desire to comprehensively and effectively prevent corruption. That does not mean spreading and diluting the law so that we cannot fight it,” lawyer Chien noted when expanding the scope to include non-state subjects.

For example, a coal stove burning different types of firewood at the same time does not increase the heat but may even extinguish it. Delegate Nguyen Van Chien emphasized that corruption is profiteering, embezzlement, and personal gain of state assets. Therefore, it is necessary to identify people with positions and powers, and people directly assigned to manage assets as special entities that can take state money.

“If it is extended beyond the State, it is not within the scope of the subject, so which assets are corrupt assets so that we can determine how to prevent and avoid violating people's property rights? This is a big issue that needs to be raised to find a solution. Therefore, in designing this law, prevention is the main thing, and prevention is how to recover assets for the State when there is corruption” – the delegate of Hanoi delegation expressed his opinion.

Corruption does not stop in the public sector.

Delegate Le Thi Thuy - Deputy Head of the Central Inspection Committee emphasized that the Party and State always pay attention to anti-corruption, from perfecting institutions to investigation, prosecution and trial. Many corruption cases have been strictly handled, showing deterrence and receiving support from the people. However, the Deputy Head of the Central Inspection Committee also admitted that anti-corruption work has not met requirements.

Delegate Le Thi Thuy: "Overcoming formalities, going into substance to monitor asset fluctuations, contributing to preventing corruption"

The female delegate said that in reality, through investigation, prosecution, and trial of cases, even major cases occurring in the non-state sector, it shows that corruption does not stop at the traditional concept in the public sector but is a common evil, reducing trust, reducing competitiveness, making it difficult to attract investment and develop the economy and society.

“Expanding the scope to the non-state sector is extremely necessary, in line with the Party’s viewpoint and the fact that the Penal Code has stipulated a number of related acts. In addition, expanding the scope is also in line with the UN Convention to which Vietnam is a member, in line with the viewpoint of the international community…” – delegate Le Thi Thuy analyzed and expressed agreement with the expansion of the scope with a suitable roadmap and steps.

Regarding the subjects obliged to declare assets, according to Ms. Le Thi Thuy, both options must be considered. Because if the subjects are expanded, according to research, the solution to ensure transparency is still a formality because there are too many subjects declaring. But if the subjects are narrowed, it is not suitable with the policy of moving towards all civil servants and public employees who are party members having to declare their assets.

“The issue is to study and supplement provisions to strengthen inspection, examination, and supervision, ensuring that declarations meet the principles of honesty, objectivity, and self-awareness... Thereby overcoming formalities, going into substance to monitor asset fluctuations, contributing to preventing corruption and serving personnel work” – Ms. Le Thi Thuy emphasized./.

According to VOV