Are embezzlement, corruption, and moral decay considered 'self-evolution and self-transformation'?

Recently, the Central Committee has repeatedly disciplined many high-ranking officials, including those who are members of the Politburo, members of the Central Committee, and hold high positions such as Party Secretaries of cities and provinces, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, generals, and high-ranking officers in the armed forces…

Many officials and Party members, due to violations of Party principles and regulations causing particularly serious consequences, have been disciplined by the Central Committee with the highest form of punishment: expulsion from the Party. Most notably, this includes the case involving violations in bidding and procurement of medical supplies by Viet A Company. In connection with this case, in the National Assembly, one representative frankly pointed out that the Viet A case not only caused losses and waste of public funds and assets but also resulted in the loss and waste of another, far more valuable asset: "the waste of the people's trust."

Mr. Nguyen Duc Ha, former Director of the Department of Party Organizations, Central Organization Committee.

"Self-evolution and self-transformation" - a crucial issue for the nation and its people.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Ha, former Director of the Party Organization Department of the Central Committee, the transformation and spread of corrupt practices show that the decline and degeneration of a significant number of cadres and Party members has reached a critical level. It is an "internal enemy" threatening the survival of the regime.

"The decline is not confined to any one area or level. It exists at the central, local, provincial, district, and commune levels. Therefore, our Party has determined that we must fight against decline within the Party, and if we do not combat and prevent this situation, it will threaten the very survival of the Party and the regime," Mr. Ha emphasized.

Public opinion raises the question of whether the embezzlement, corruption, and moral decay of some officials and Party members constitute "self-evolution and self-transformation." Clearly, this question is not without basis! The reality shows that many officials and Party members, when holding ordinary positions, are exemplary, loyal, and always dedicated to their work; even in combat, many are willing to sacrifice for the Fatherland. However, when they hold high positions, when they are given the "stick" of power, are attracted and tempted by money, and surrounded by the allure of personal gain, they lose themselves, their integrity, and the dignity of a Party member.

There are also those who, while in office, demonstrate competence and act in accordance with resolutions, but upon retirement become resentful, speak ill of the regime, make false accusations, distort the truth, and insult the honor, dignity, and reputation of others.

Mr. Dang Thuan Phong, Member of the 15th National Assembly. Photo: National Assembly Portal.

Mr. Dang Thuan Phong, a member of the 15th National Assembly, expressed his concern about this very alarming situation.

"Sadly, the current decline is not only occurring among young party members, as some suspect, but also among veterans with long careers and extensive knowledge. Upon retirement, they do a 180-degree turn, viewing things differently. These ideological declines greatly affect society, the people's trust, and consequently diminish the communist ideals that our country is striving for," Mr. Dang Thuan Phong observed.

Self-evolution and self-transformation are essentially processes of change occurring within each individual and organization, in a direction where evil prevails, takes control, and dictates thoughts and actions. Therefore, combating "self-evolution and self-transformation" is a struggle against oneself, within one's own agency, unit, or organization.

However, the problem is: When facing challenges, difficulties, and existing enemies, we can easily recognize them and quickly find solutions. But facing ourselves, struggling with ourselves, and overcoming ourselves is not simple at all. In particular, "self-evolution and self-transformation" is not just a problem for individuals and organizations, but a crucial issue for the nation and its people. It threatens the very survival of our Party and our regime.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Quoc Thuoc. Photo: VTC News

Lieutenant General Nguyen Quoc Thuoc, former Commander of Military Region 4, stated that if "self-evolution and self-transformation" are promptly prevented, we can defeat all enemies who undermine the country's revolutionary cause. However, when internal self-evolution occurs, it poses a red alert. Lenin clearly stated this: "No one can bring down their cause unless the communists themselves bring it down."

Individuals become corrupted, organizations disintegrate, and the country's political system is threatened. These are the dangers and immeasurable consequences of "self-evolution and self-transformation." Therefore, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has repeatedly warned: "From the decline in ideology, politics, morality, and lifestyle, we will lead to evolution, self-evolution, and self-transformation. This is just a short, even very short, dangerous, and unpredictable step, which could very well lead to complicity or collusion with evil, hostile, and opportunistic forces, betraying the revolutionary cause and ideals of the Party and the nation."

The collapse of the Soviet Union - A painful lesson.

More than 30 years ago, events in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics revealed the peak of danger, when cadres, party members, and especially high-ranking party officials, became corrupt, self-degenerate, and self-transform. The Soviet President abused his power by declaring the dissolution of the Central Committee; the General Secretary announced his resignation, ordering the Communist Party of the Soviet Union to cease its activities; the Soviet Minister of Defense declared his departure from the Party and forced all military personnel to return their party membership cards.

Ideological decline led to moral decay, political corruption, and self-evolution and self-transformation within the high-ranking leadership of the Soviet Party, State, and Army.

Without firing a single bullet or losing a single soldier's life, hostile and reactionary forces succeeded in bringing about the collapse of the Soviet Union after more than 70 years of existence. This is a painful lesson, showing us the immeasurable danger when the undercurrents of "self-evolution and self-transformation" reach their peak. It severed destinies, swept away lives, and buried the entire political system of a once powerful nation and people.

This danger shows us that "self-evolution and self-transformation" is not just a warning or prediction, but is already happening in reality. It is a serious threat to the path towards socialism for the Vietnamese nation and people. Therefore, the struggle and prevention of "self-evolution and self-transformation" in the current situation must be proactive, attacking early, preventing from afar, and first and foremost, implementing measures to improve the "health" and strengthen the "body" of the Party itself.