General Cương: The fight against corruption is no longer general, but targeted and aimed at the right people.

Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Associate Professor, Major General Le Van Cuong - former Director of the Institute of Strategy and Science of the Ministry of Public Security - about the highlights of anti-corruption work in 2017.

PV:From 1986 to the present, our Party has implemented numerous policies and solutions to combat corruption and moral decay. According to the Major General's assessment, what are the new developments in the fight against corruption and moral decay in 2017?

Associate Professor, Doctor, Major General Le Van Cuong:In my opinion, compared to the past, the fight against corruption and moral decay has three new aspects:

The first,The fight against corruption and moral decay is carried out in accordance with the spirit of Central Resolution 4 (12th Congress, issued on October 30, 2016). As far as I know, from 1945, and directly from 1986 to the present, Central Resolution 4 (12th Congress) is the most complete and comprehensive document on the fight against corruption and moral decay.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stated that the novelty of Resolution No. 4 of the 12th Central Committee lies in the Central Committee's frank and systematic identification of manifestations of political, ideological, moral, and lifestyle degradation, as well as self-evolution and self-transformation within the Party. The most dangerous of these is the fading of communist and revolutionary ideals, a lack of steadfastness in the socialist path, ambiguity, wavering, lack of faith, and speaking contrary to the Party's views and policies.

The Central Resolution No. 4 also clearly points out the decline in fighting spirit, the failure to defend what is right and to fight against what is wrong... Never before has a Party resolution fully addressed all the specific manifestations of corruption, degeneration, and moral decay within our Party today, both in politics, ideology, and in ethics and lifestyle.

The General Secretary further emphasized that the self-degradation of political and moral values, and lifestyles leading to self-evolution and self-transformation, is only a short, even very short, step, with immeasurable dangers.

This could lead to complicity or collusion with evil and hostile forces, betraying the ideals and revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. Therefore, the most significant new development is that the 2017 struggle was illuminated by a comprehensive Resolution addressing this struggle.

A view of the National Conference of Cadres to disseminate and thoroughly understand Resolution No. 4 of the Central Committee (12th term). Photo: Moha.gov.vn

Monday,The implementation of Resolution No. 4 of the 12th Central Committee this time is different from previous years. The Politburo held numerous meetings to discuss the implementation of Resolution No. 4 of the 12th Central Committee. The Party's Central Inspection Committee has never worked so continuously, going down to each locality and scrutinizing each case like this. The Politburo met, with the General Secretary directly serving as the head of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption. Another new point is the implementation of the resolution with very high political determination. From the General Secretary, the Politburo, the Central Committee, the Party's committees, and the central apparatus, everyone has gotten involved.

Tuesday,The political situation was very favorable; the people were enthusiastic and supportive of the Party's struggle. This was an important condition that led to greater results in the 2017 struggle.

PV:According to the Major General, on what basis does public opinion believe that the fight against corruption and moral decay in 2017 took a pivotal turn, yielding historically significant results?

Associate Professor, Doctor, Major General Le Van Cuong:I believe public opinion is well-founded, and I support the assessment that the results of the 2017 anti-corruption campaign were historic, as evidenced by three points:

First,Over the past year, the Party and State have launched investigations and strictly dealt with many major cases. From dozens of high-profile cases to the Dinh La Thang case, never before in the history of our Party has a Politburo member been prosecuted for corruption and moral decay. Previously, we prosecuted the Standing Committee of the Party Secretariat, but that was a case of political violation. This reflects that the fight against corruption and moral decay truly has no forbidden zones. The disciplinary action against Mr. Dinh La Thang alone partly highlights the overall results of the fight against corruption and moral decay in 2017.

HighlightsMondayIt should be taken into account that the Party has strictly disciplined and administratively punished a series of high-ranking officials involved in violations during the performance of their duties and in the implementation of economic projects. For example, through the handling of the Formosa case, officials involved while in office, from the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, deputy ministers, the Director General of Natural Resources and Environment, dozens of officials at the departmental and divisional levels, leaders of the Ministry of Interior, the Provincial Party Secretary, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, members of the Provincial People's Committee Standing Committee… and numerous other officials, were all disciplined.

The case of Trinh Xuan Thanh, Deputy Head of the Central Organization Department, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Interior, and leaders of the Hau Giang Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee... resulted in disciplinary action, with dozens of officials implicated. Disciplinary actions such as the case of Nguyen Xuan Anh in Da Nang, who was removed from the Central Committee of the Party, dismissed from his position as Secretary of the City Party Committee and all his positions in the Party, and the case of Ngo Van Tuan, who was dismissed from his position as Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province... truly show that the fight against corruption is no longer general, but targeted and aimed at the right individuals.

Tuesday,The fight against corruption has created a democratic and open atmosphere in society. The press has stepped in to expose dozens of cases of entire families holding official positions. Then, the appointment of relatives and "unethical favoritism" in Quang Nam, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa... were all spearheaded by the press.

Graphics: Nam Phong

PV:From a researcher's perspective, what do you think were the reasons behind the groundbreaking successes achieved in 2017 that were unprecedented before?

Associate Professor, Doctor, Major General Le Van Cuong:ReasonFirstlyWhat I'm referring to is the Party's unwavering determination to see things through to the end.

ReasonMondayThis is an exemplary act from the highest levels, starting with the Politburo, directly led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. The General Secretary has repeatedly emphasized that in the fight against corruption and moral decay, the role of leaders, of the heads of Party committees, agencies, organizations, and units, is decisive. The Central Committee Resolution No. 4 (12th Congress) also clearly states the requirement for members of the Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, and each head of a Party committee to set an example. The exemplary conduct of Party and government leaders is even higher than before.

ReasonTuesdayThat's the way it's done. The Politburo has given firm directives, and there are no forbidden areas in this approach; this is clearly demonstrated in a statement by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong: When the furnace is hot, even wet wood will burn.

PV:What lessons can we learn from these results in this struggle, General?

Associate Professor, Doctor, Major General Le Van Cuong:There are many lessons to be learned, and I would like to mention four key points:

First,The large-scale and prolonged violations reveal that the oversight of power and public agencies by Vietnamese officials and civil servants still has very weak and flawed sections. In Vietnam, the delegation of power and the system of power oversight do not keep pace, thus allowing officials to exploit the system for excessive corruption and personal gain.

The case of Mr. Dinh La Thang, who entrusted a petroleum corporation, which accounts for 30% of the national income, with immense power but ineffective supervision. Where were the board of directors, inspectors, etc.? This created loopholes, providing space for corrupt officials to run rampant and act arbitrarily.

SecondlyDemocracy within the Party is not guaranteed. Certainly, some people know about it, but there's no effective struggle. For example, the "rapid" promotion of Le Phuoc Hoai Bao to Provincial Party Committee member and Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Quang Nam province at the young age of 30, despite not meeting the qualifications, raises the question: where were the Party committees at all levels during that time? Where was democracy? Where was the fighting spirit? If he hadn't been the son of the then Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee, would Hoai Bao have been able to advance like that?

ThirdlyThe competence and integrity of Party committee members are weak. Many know about the mistakes but dare not speak up. In agencies where major corruption cases occur, no one dares to speak out. Therefore, in places where large-scale and prolonged violations occur, it must be acknowledged that the competence of the Party committee members is very poor.

WednesdayPersonnel management in many areas is seriously problematic. Mr. Dinh La Thang, after allowing numerous violations and wrongdoings to occur at the Vietnam National Petroleum Group, continued to be promoted to higher positions. Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh, after the "battlefield" at the Vietnam National Petroleum Group, became a National Assembly representative and Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hau Giang province.

The fight against corruption and moral decay in 2017 reached a climax, and 2018 is expected to be even better. There is no turning back, only progress. As a researcher, I am fully confident that we will learn valuable lessons so that the fight against corruption and moral decay will meet the expectations and trust of the entire Party and the entire nation.

PV:Thank you, Major General!