HCM CITY — Southern hub HCM City will have its top leader replaced by Nguyễn Thiện Nhân, president of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee.

The Politburo on Wednesday morning officially announced that Nhân, a Politburo member, will take charge of the HCM City party secretary’s office after its now former leader Đinh La Thăng was sacked from the Politburo.

Nhân received information about the Politburo’s unanimous personnel decision from National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân at a ceremony held at the HCM City Party Committee’s auditorium.

During his inauguration speech, the 64-year-old professor-politician said it was a “special day for him to return to HCM City for the second time.” Nhân previously served as HCM City People’s Committee deputy chairman for seven years from 1999 to 2006, besides holding other leadership positions during the time. Nhân left for Hà Nội in 2006 following his appointment as Minister of Education and Training.

He said he was honoured to be entrusted and “brought back home” by the Party and State leaders, saying he had been associated with HCM City for 23 years since he first began working in the city in 1983.

“I have learnt a lot during the 11 years I stayed in the north, one of which is the Party’s discipline. An official has to judge himself based on the pleasure of the people he serves,” the new secretary said.

“I sincerely thank Mr Đinh La Thăng who has actively contributed to HCM City in his capacity as HCM City Party Secretary for a short period,” Nhân said.

He also promised to do his best to contribute to the development of the country’s largest city.

Nhân will also replace Thăng as head of HCM City’s National Assembly deputy delegation, NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân announced. NA’s Standing Committee will consider transferring Thăng to a new NA delegation, Ngân said.

Ex-secretary’s new job

HCM City’s now former leader Đinh La Thăng will serve as deputy chairman of the Party’s Central Economic Commission, the Politburo also announced on Wednesday.

The May 10 personnel decision solves both the questions on who would replace Thăng in HCM City and what would be his future in the Government after he was sacked from the Politburo on May 7 for several wrongdoings uncovered during his time as the top leader of State-owned Việt Nam Oil and Gas Group (PVN).

He was voted out by an overwhelming 90 per cent during a meeting of the 12th Party Central Committee, officially marking an end to his 15 months as HCM City top leader.

Present at Wednesday’s ceremony, Thăng said he was “deeply aware of” PVN’s violations discovered by the Politburo.

He also sent his apologies to the people and the Party, affirming he would do his best in his new job.

Thăng congratulated Nhân for assuming the role of HCM City secretary, saying he believed he would be successful since he already had some years of experience in the city. — VNS