General Le Van Cuong: "Should establish a National Power Supervision Committee"
(Baonghean.vn) - In a dialogue with Nghe An Newspaper reporters on a number of issues related to anti-corruption work, Associate Professor, Dr. Major General Le Van Cuong - former Director of the Institute of Strategy and Science of the Ministry of Public Security, said that a National Power Supervision Committee should be established.
4 ACHIEVEMENTS IN ANTI-CORRUPTION
PV:Major General Le Van Cuong, from the perspective of a researcher, can you summarize the results of the fight against corruption in recent times, specifically since the 12th Party Congress, term 2015 - 2020?
Major General Le Van Cuong:At the National Conference on Anti-Corruption held on June 25, the results of anti-corruption work were clearly shown in the reports. |
| The national conference on anti-corruption took place on June 25. Photo: congly.vn |
As someone who has been following the work of preventing and fighting corruption for decades, from my own perspective, I can summarize the achievements of preventing and fighting corruption since the 12th Party Congress until now, about more than 20 months, shown in the following 4 aspects:
The first,The number of major cases brought to trial in the past 20 months has increased 20 times compared to the past 30 years. Never before has so much corruption been dealt with in 20 months. As far as I know, the number of mid- and high-ranking officials disciplined by the State and brought to court is also 20 times more than in the past 20 years. The cases of disciplinary action for corruption have produced exceptional results, creating a turning point in the fight against corruption. The results of this fight have created a strong impression, creating trust among Party members and the people in the Party.
“After more than 2 years of implementing the Resolution of the 12th Party Congress, Party committees and inspection committees at all levels have disciplined more than 490 Party organizations and 35,000 Party members who violated the Party's regulations, including nearly 1,300 Party members who were disciplined for corruption and intentional violations. Since the beginning of the term, 50 officials under the Central Committee's management have been disciplined, including 9 officials who are Central Committee members and former Central Committee members, and 1 Central Committee member and former Politburo member has been expelled from the Party.”
Monday,In addition to major cases brought to trial, the Secretariat, directly the General Secretary, has directed the tightening of Party discipline, and a series of officials who violated the law have been punished. If not criminally, then according to Party and government discipline. In addition to major cases, the General Secretary has directed the review of all appointed officials who do not meet the standards to be brought forward. In the past 30 years, this has never been done before.
Tuesday,Through the struggles and cases, the Party and the State have discovered many loopholes in personnel work, management work, especially in banking management and management of state-owned economic groups. Through the cases of discovered weaknesses, it will contribute to tightening discipline and improving state management capacity in many areas.
Wednesday,The results of the implementation of anti-corruption have had a direct and indirect deterrent effect on incumbent officials. As the General Secretary said, “when the furnace is hot, even fresh wood will burn”, the fight against corruption has no forbidden zones, no limits. Therefore, it has significantly reduced the number of illegal acts. Those who intend to commit corruption must also think and be afraid.
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PV:On the occasion of the National Conference on Anti-Corruption that took place on Monday (June 25), could you tell us about the deep roots of corruption?
Major General Le Van Cuong:We have traveled to many countries and spent a lot of time researching anti-corruption. From the research, it can be concluded that the deep roots of corruption in Vietnam are not difficult to identify.
The first,That is because the power monitoring system is extremely loose. Power given to one person without supervision will lead to power degeneration. For example, the case related to Mr. Dinh La Thang when he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, he was assigned to manage billions of dollars but Mr. Dinh La Thang almost "acted on his own". So, is it true that the Party Committee of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, the Government Inspectorate, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and related departments and branches have loosened management, failed to fulfill their duties, and failed to perform their duties well???. And many other cases,Is our power monitoring system extremely loose and flawed??? So, we also have a power monitoring department, but for many reasons it is not really effective and efficient.
Second reason,In the management system, individual responsibility is not clearly defined. Individual responsibility is mixed with collective responsibility.In developed countries, countries with little corruption, one agency is responsible for one thing, and one agency is responsible for one person. In Vietnam, due to overlapping responsibilities and unclear division of responsibilities, when it happens, it is difficult to handle and even more difficult to prevent.It is clear that many places are not "tightly" tying up obligations and responsibilities.
Third causeTo beThe State's treatment of cadres, civil servants and public employees is not satisfactory.. A professor with a salary of only about 7 million VND, how can he concentrate on ensuring the quality of training? A civil servant, a public employee, with a starting salary of only about 3 million VND/month, working in a state agency for nearly 20 years but with a salary of only about 5 million VND/month, how can he have enough strength to avoid temptations? |
| Some corruption cases were brought to trial: PVN lost 800 billion VND in capital contribution to OceanBank; the case of loss of more than 9,000 billion VND at Vietnam Construction Bank; the case of loss of thousands of billion VND at Agribank; corruption case at Waterway Construction Corporation. Photo: Internet |
A NATIONAL POWER SUPERVISION COMMITTEE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED
PV:People's confidence in the fight against corruption is higher than ever. However, there are still doubts and worries about whether this fight can be effective in the long run.
Major General Le Van Cuong:I would like to reiterate that over the past 20 months our fight against corruption has achieved remarkable results. However, this struggle still faces many difficulties.The people's demands and wishes that the Party, by all means, thoroughly eliminate corruption in the public apparatus and eradicate corruption from its roots are legitimate demands and wishes, which are also the people's hearts.
I think that one of the important things is to implement the Central Resolution 4 (12th tenure) on strengthening Party building and rectification; preventing and repelling the degradation of political ideology, morality, lifestyle, and manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party. Since 1986, and further back since 1945 until now, the Central Resolution 4 (12th tenure) is the most complete and comprehensive Resolution, addressing the issue of preventing and combating corruption in Vietnam, its roots, signs, manifestations, goals and solutions. To eradicate corruption, every party member, every responsible person, and every person holding power must be exemplary and strictly implement the Central Resolution 4. If the Central Resolution 4 can be implemented, corruption will be pushed back.
Monday,prevent corruption from rising and developing,The Secretariat should direct scientists to research four basic issues: Research the issue of power supervision. It is necessary to research and reorganize the power supervision system. Reorganize the State power supervision system. Research the Government inspection model like the model of the State Audit, under the National Assembly. I propose to establish a National Power Supervision Committee, headed by the National Assembly leader.
Tuesday,Research to amend and supplement the legal system. Clearly define the responsibilities of the heads of organizations in the public apparatus. Through research, it is shown that from the Constitution to the current legal system, the responsibilities of heads of governments at all levels have not been clearly defined.
Wednesday,The State must be transparent in all activities.Transparency starts with personnel work. Only under the light of transparency can we push back against bribery, backdoor dealing, and interest group abuse.
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Last thing,must improve the salary system.We must ensure that civil servants and public employees have enough to live on so that they can work with peace of mind and not think about "dirty income".I have worked with 15 countries, all 15 countries speakIf the salary is not enough to eat, it is difficult to prevent and fight corruption..
If these four issues, together with Resolution 4 of the Central Committee (12th tenure), are effectively implemented, I fully believe that we will be able to effectively prevent and combat corruption in the long term, consolidate the Party's fighting strength, make the Party and the people share the same will, create the country's strength, and ensure that we can overcome all current difficulties and challenges.
PV:Thank you, General!
