General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong: Zero tolerance for corruption

Disciplined more than 60 officials under central management

On the morning of January 21, the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption (Steering Committee) held its 15th meeting under the chairmanship of General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, Head of the Steering Committee, to review and evaluate the results of activities in 2018 and set out key tasks for 2019.

General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong.

Concluding the meeting, the General Secretary, President, and Head of the Steering Committee emphasized: Since the beginning of the term, especially in 2018, the work of preventing and combating corruption (PCTN) has continued to be strongly implemented and achieved many comprehensive results. Many major cases were handled in 2018 and in the 12th term. In particular, the work of inspection, auditing, investigation, prosecution, trial of cases, handling of corruption and economic cases has been synchronous and effective, creating a breakthrough in detecting and handling violations with strong warning and deterrence, affirming the determination of the Party and State to fight corruption "with no forbidden areas, no exceptions, regardless of who the person is".

In 2018, Party committees and inspection committees at all levels disciplined more than 650 party members for corruption and intentional violations; the Central Executive Committee, Politburo, Secretariat, and Central Inspection Committee disciplined 38 officials and party members under the Central Committee's management. Since the beginning of the 12th Congress term, more than 60 officials under the Central Committee's management have been disciplined.

The Inspection and Audit sector has made many efforts and determination. Since the beginning of the term, it has proposed to recover and handle nearly 319 trillion VND in finance and more than 7,200 hectares of land; proposed to handle the responsibilities of 5,932 groups and many individuals; transferred 311 cases and 481 subjects to the investigation agency for handling. The situation of "hot above, cold below" has been initially overcome; many localities and ministries have actively detected and handled the evil of "petty corruption".

“The work of preventing and combating corruption has become a trend and a movement; corruption has been prevented and gradually pushed back, leaving a positive mark, strengthening trust, making an important contribution to building and rectifying the Party; creating a new spirit, new trust and giving us more lessons,” the General Secretary and President emphasized.

Humanity with people who are self-aware and repentant

Major economic scandal at Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and PetroVietnam Construction Corporation (PVC). Photo: VNA

The reason for achieving the above results is that the Steering Committee is highly determined, directs strongly, with a scientific, strict, methodical approach, coordinated rhythmically, step by step, clearly handling each issue, publicly and transparently; uncompromising with corruption, but also very humane with those who voluntarily admit their guilt, repent, and proactively overcome the consequences.

However, the General Secretary and President also frankly pointed out the limitations and shortcomings such as the slow construction and completion of institutions in some cases, which have not met the requirements. The conclusion of inspections of some key projects; the progress of investigation, prosecution, trial of some cases, and verification of some cases are still slow compared to the requirements of the Steering Committee. The work of detecting and handling corruption at the local and grassroots levels is still limited. The situation of harassment and negativity ("petty corruption") still occurs in many places, causing frustration for people and businesses...

Effectively prevent “petty corruption”.

Regarding the tasks for 2019 and the coming years, the General Secretary and President said that the people demand that anti-corruption work must continue to be drastic and maintain the current movement and trend. (Illustration photo)

Regarding the tasks for 2019 and the coming years, the General Secretary and President said that the people demand that the anti-corruption work must continue to be drastic, maintaining the current movement and trend. Therefore, we must not be subjective, satisfied, or content with the results achieved, but must continue to persevere with a higher determination, promote more and be more effective in the coming time.

The General Secretary and President noted that the Steering Committee and relevant agencies need to continue to direct the acceleration of the progress of building and perfecting institutions on socio-economic management and anti-corruption, striving to basically complete a step in building a strict prevention mechanism by the end of the term to "make corruption impossible".

In addition, direct the organization and effective implementation of Party and State regulations on anti-corruption; especially the Central Regulation on the exemplary responsibility of cadres and party members, first of all, Politburo members, Secretariat members, and Central Executive Committee members.

Besides,Focus on directing the acceleration of the handling of corruption and economic cases that have been prosecuted and investigated; promptly detect and handle new cases and incidents. In 2019, focus on directing the completion of the investigation of 21 cases, prosecution of 22 cases, first-instance trial of 27 cases, appeal trial of 10 cases and completion of handling of 43 cases according to the Steering Committee's Plan. Further promote anti-corruption at local and grassroots levels; effectively prevent the situation of "petty corruption".