General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee (CPVCC) Nguyễn Phú Trọng speaks at the 14th meeting of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption in Hà Nội on Thursday.— VNA/VNS Photo Phương Hoa

HÀ NỘI — The Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption held its 14th meeting in Hà Nội on Thursday to review its performance so far this year, as well as its general progress since its establishment five years ago. 

The meeting took place under the chair of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee (CPVCC) Nguyễn Phú Trọng, who also leads the committee. 

Phan Đình Trạc, head of the CPVCC’s Commission for Internal Affairs, reported that over the past five years, the committee has directed the accelerated settlement of serious corruption cases, as well as put some complex cases under its direct supervision with the principle of “no zones off limits and no persons exempted, regardless of who they are.” 

Among those cases, 40 cases involve 500 defendants that have been brought to trial and strict penalties imposed. 

The central committee has sent 40 working groups to examine, monitor and step up anti-corruption efforts at 15 Party committees and organisations at the central level and at the 63 Party committees in central-level localities, he noted. 

Since 2013, Party committees and their inspection boards at all levels have imposed punishments on more than 4,300 officials and Party members for corruption or intentional wrongdoings. Through their inspections, they have proposed that more than VNĐ400 trillion (US$17.2 billion) and 18,500ha of land be revoked, while also transferring 515 cases of suspected violations to investigation agencies. 

Notably, the CPVCC’s Inspection Commission has examined and proposed that the CPVCC, the Politburo and the CPVCC Secretariat strictly discipline many Party organisations and members, even incumbent and retired senior officials. Since the beginning of the Party’s 12th term in January 2016, 56 officials under the CPVCC’s management have been punished, Trạc added. 

Addressing the meeting, General Secretary Trọng said over the course of its five years, the steering committee have made concerted efforts and been responsible in its activities, gaining many concrete outcomes. As a result, corruption prevention and combat have made great strides, especially in the past couple of years. 

Corruption has gradually decreased with many proactive activities in place, helping to promote socio-economic development and build people’s trust, he added. 

He told the committee to improve the quality and effectiveness of its activities, as well as include authorised agencies in the work.

Referring to weaknesses, the leader pointed out the slow trickle-down effect, whereby officials in upper levels are determined to fight corruption, however those in lower levels have not yet taken on the same spur. Therefore, more drastic measures are needed to make stronger improvements. 

The public are worrying about how to maintain and step up the corruption fight, which is an arduous and long-term battle that requires more drastic and effective actions, the General Secretary concluded, stressing in the short term, the committee needs to carry out its work plan for 2018 and prepare for the next year’s plan well in a methodological and serious fashion. — VNS