Fighting corruption is priority, says inspector
(11-06-2005)
HA NOI — Corruption in State enterprises, Government agencies and many economic organisations around the country is a big threat to the regime, said Inspector General Quach Le Thanh.
"The fight against corruption is the job of all the Party and all the people. It calls on the strength of the entire political system as well as the active participation of the entire society," said Thanh.
Speaking on the sidelines of the National Assembly’s debate on the proposed law on corruption, Thanh said corruption has occurred in many fields and was tending to become more serious. This can be seen, he said, in the large amount of State property which has been misappropriated and extensiveness of the practice among many staff and even some key leaders.
One of the present causes of corruption, Thanh said, is an inadequate legal system which is being continuously revised and amended.
The ordinance on corruption, promulgated in 1998 and then revised and supplemented in 2000, is a key legal instrument in preventing and fighting corruption, actively contributing to uncovering corrupt behaviours, penalising culprits and reclaiming property of the State.
"However, after seven years in force, the ordinance has revealed many shortcomings and has not met the needs of the country’s battle against corruption," said Thanh.
The National Assembly is now considering many new regulations, Thanh said, especially in the area of prevention.
He said the law must provide that inspectors’ and management reports, efforts to resolve complaints and answer accusations, audit reports, court judgements and other documents in cases of corruption be made public.
The draft law has prohibited State-owned corporations and companies from entering into economic contracts with enterprises owned by spouses, parents, children, or other family members of general directors, deputy general directors, directors, deputy directors, the chief accountant and members of the executive board.
The draft law’s clause 78 also states that people who are prosecuted for corruption will have to explain the lawful origin of their property. If they cannot explain, their property will be seen as dubious assets, and, if the accused is convicted for corruption, these assets will be confiscated and put into the public treasury.
The draft law details the responsibility of corporate and company leaders when corruption is revealed.
Thanh said Viet Nam signed a UN Convention Against Corruption in 2003 and is preparing for the convention’s approval. Clauses 6 and 36 of the convention require member nations to have one or more agencies that focus on fighting and preventing corruption.
The draft law requires establishment of steering committees at central and local levels. The central steering committee gathers members of the Government, People’s Supreme Procuracy, and People’s Supreme Court, as well as the Party and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, to help the National Assembly, the Government and the Prime Minister to organise and coordinate the fight against corruption. — VNS
