Corruption report exposes bribery

September 20, 2017 - 08:28

Bribery in the form of giving Government officials gifts is getting more and more complicated and artful, with recipients only giving back the gifts if they’re caught, head of the National Assembly’s Legal Committee Lê Thị Nga told a session devoted to the Government’s report on anti-corruption measures.

The NASC asked the Government to order a review of official appointments nationwide to address voter concerns that the wrong people and/or family members were being appointed to positions where they could easily abuse their power. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Dân

HÀ NỘI — Bribery in the form of giving Government officials gifts is getting more and more complicated and artful, with recipients only giving back the gifts if they’re caught, head of the National Assembly’s Legal Committee Lê Thị Nga told a session devoted to the Government’s report on anti-corruption measures.

More than 1.1 million Government and State officials made asset declarations this year, but the Government only verified 77 and found three cases of violations, according to the report presented to the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) on Tuesday. Corruption has become thornier issue while local anti-corruption activities are weak, according to the report.

In the report, the Government admitted that the ethics of some officials are low, with many pestering enterprises for bribes. The report also pointed out that some groups of officials had abetted in protecting businesses for the benefit of the groups of people or personal interests.

Voters’ suspicions of interest groups and backyard control of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) for private benefit are logical based on inspection results of the Party Central Commitee’s Inspection Commission, according to the National Assembly (NA) Legal Commitee. 

The report’s authors blame insufficient economic management mechanisms and policies for the shortcomings. But the report forecast that coruption would be reduced next year due to efforts by authorised agencies. After evaluating the report, the NA Legal Committee agreed with the Government report on the handling of corruption in recent years.

Under the close instruction of the Anti-Corruption Central Steering Committee, many cases of serious economic corruption were investigated and prosecuted, helping to reinforce people’s trust in the Party and State’s determination to fight the scourge. However, the legal committee pointed out that many measures of corruption prevention were formalistic and ineffective. 

The committee asked the Government to further clarify the basis on which this year’s corruption and the forecast were evaluated. The legal committee suggessted the NA and Government set up regulations on transparency and monitor private properties and incomes of all people, especially high-ranking officials, as well as introducing sanctions for fraudelent declarations.

The NASC asked the Government to order a review of official appointments nationwide to address voter concerns that the wrong people and/or family members were being appointed to positions where they could easily abuse their power. — VNS

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