Are corrupt officials guilty of 'fearlessness or insatiable greed'?

Ms. Truong Thi Mai wondered, while the anti-corruption efforts have yielded many results, many officials still violate the law, "is this because they lack fear or because their greed is insatiable?"

Speaking at the national conference on internal affairs and the activities of the provincial-level Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption and Negative Practices on January 10th, Standing Member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat and Head of the Central Organization Department Truong Thi Mai assessed that the work of Party building and rectification, and anti-corruption in the past two terms has achieved many important results. Vietnam's transparency index has improved significantly.

Nevertheless, since the beginning of the 13th term (early 2021), 83 officials under central government management have been disciplined, including 53 for previous violations and 24 for violations during this term. In 2023, localities initiated new prosecutions in 763 cases involving more than 2,000 defendants for corruption, double the number from last year. Some cases involved multiple levels, sectors, and fields, including both central and local officials.

Ms. Truong Thi Mai speaks at the conference on the morning of January 10th. Photo: Nguyen Phong — Ms. Truong Thi Mai speaks at the conference on January 10th. Photo: *Nguyen Phong*

According to the Standing Committee of the Party Central Committee, corruption cases fundamentally involve connections between state officials and degenerate individuals, causing significant damage and loss of state and public assets. Previously, violations mainly related to land, but now they have expanded to areas such as bidding, use of public assets, securities, corporate bonds, banking, and vehicle registration.

Therefore, Ms. Mai suggested that agencies analyze the causes of violations by officials, and at the same time review and amend regulations in the areas where violations occur in order to take corrective measures. "We must create the necessary legal framework so that officials will be afraid before they step through," she said.

Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission Phan Dinh Trac requested that units coordinate to resolve obstacles and expedite the investigation and handling of cases under the supervision of the Central Steering Committee and provincial-level authorities. Violations by organizations and Party members related to the Viet A, AIC, Van Thinh Phat, and SCB bank cases need to be resolved promptly. Cases involving leading and managerial officials at all levels also need to be handled quickly to prepare for the upcoming Party Congresses at all levels.

Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission Phan Đình Trạc speaks at the conference on the morning of January 10. Photo: Nguyên Phong — Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission Phan Đình Trạc speaks at the conference on the morning of January 10. Photo: *Nguyên Phong*

According to a report by the Central Internal Affairs Commission, in 2023, localities conducted more than 200 inspections and supervisions of the implementation of several bidding packages and projects related to FLC, AIC, Viet A, Tan Hoang Minh, Van Thinh Phat, etc. The provincial anti-corruption steering committees placed 260 cases under monitoring.

Many localities have initiated investigations into major corruption cases, such as Thanh Hoa province, which prosecuted a former provincial Party secretary, former provincial chairman and vice-chairman, and many district directors and Party secretaries. Lao Cai province prosecuted a former Central Committee member, former provincial Party secretary, and former provincial chairman. Ha Nam province has initiated investigations into a former provincial vice-chairman, former director, and deputy director of a department...

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