'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 in positions of power and authority.

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 thoroughly fought.

However, according to the delegate, 10 years of implementing the current Law on Fire Prevention and Control is like building a furnace but the “wood” is too big and the “wood” is too wet to 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 implements the Party’s guidelines and the people’s desire to comprehensively and effectively prevent corruption. That does not mean spreading and diluting it 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 for personal use. Therefore, it is necessary to identify those with positions and powers, those directly assigned the responsibility of managing assets as special entities that can take state money.

“If we expand 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 Commission emphasized that the Party and State always pay attention to anti-corruption, from perfecting institutions to investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating. Many corruption cases have been strictly handled, demonstrating deterrence and receiving support from the people. However, the Deputy Head of the Central Inspection Commission 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.

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

Regarding the subjects required 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