Party to expel ex-official

September 09, 2016 - 09:00

Former high-profile official Trịnh Xuân Thanh is set to be expelled from the Communist Party of Việt Nam for “serious violations causing public discontent and bring the Party and the Government into disrepute.”

Trịnh Xuân Thanh. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Former high-profile official Trịnh Xuân Thanh is set to be expelled from the Communist Party of Việt Nam for “serious violations causing public discontent and bring the Party and the Government into disrepute.”

The recommendation to expel Thanh was made by the Party’s Central Inspection Commission (CIC) yesterday.

In a statement released after its 6th Session began on Tuesday, the CIC asked its Board of Secretaries to expel the former vice chairman of the southern province of Hậu Giang based on an investigation carried out early in July.

Thanh, 50, became a member of the Communist Party on July 21, 2003.

Before becoming the People’s Committee vice chairman in the Mekong Delta’s Hậu Giang Province in May 2015, Thanh worked in leadership positions at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and as chairman of the PetroVietnam Construction Corporation (PVC) from 2007 to 2013.

The Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission in July this year accused Thanh of causing losses of more than VNĐ3.2 trillion (US$142 million) during his tenure at PVC. His fast rise in the trade ministry and the Hậu Giang People’s Committee were also found to be “incorrect”.

The scandal involving Thanh broke in June this year after media reports alleged that he had used a State number plate for his private luxury car, a Lexus.

Subsequent investigations revealed he had a poor track record in top executive positions and was guilty of misconduct in appointing officials.

Only July 15 this year, the National Assembly had decided to strip Thanh of his deputy status, though he had won a seat in the general election. – VNS

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