Fresh drive against corruption

November 12, 2012 | 10:58
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Vietnam authorities are set to tighten their grip against corruption as proposals are being advanced to require state officials, officers of state-owned enterprises and leaders of other institutions to disclose their personal assets.

The National Assembly hall last week boiled with intensity as many delegates endorsed the draft amendment of the existing Law on Anti-Corruption requiring state officials to disclose their assets, with the declaration publicised openly.

This regulation, carved in the draft’s Clause 5, was considered a breakthrough to curb rampant corruption in the country. In the existing Anti-Corruption Law, only the inspection conclusions over state officials’ assets were publicised, they said.

According to the draft’s Clause 48, like in the existing Anti-Corruption Law, those having to declare their assets range from accountants and vice heads and heads of sections from state-owned banks, enterprises, schools, hospitals and organisations to National Assembly delegates, vice heads of military units and inspectors. One of the newest points is that these people under Clause 48 include Party members.

Also, under Clause 49, assets to be declared include houses, land and other construction works, precious metals, stones and papers, money, overseas assets, and taxed incomes.

Under Clause 50, the asset declarations shall be implemented in every December at the workplace of those having to declare the assets. The declarations shall be posted in workplaces and managed by the declarer’s agency.

Many delegates like Truong Thi Yen Linh representing southern Ca Mau province said: “We cannot keep close control of these people’s incomes and assets without these regulations. Failing them we will continue facing with difficulties in fighting corruption.”

Delegate Nguyen Thi Phuc from south central Binh Thuan province said though the existing Anti-Corruption Law took effect in 2007, up to 81.3 per cent of those having to declare assets failed to fulfill this obligation because of lax management.

“Thus, apart from these regulations, stricter solutions must be devised. For instance, asset declarations also need to be posted at residential places and assets of declarers’ children must also be forced to be publicised,” she said.

Delegate Bui Nguyen Suy from northern Son La province proposed the top legislative body to stipulate in the draft law specific regulations on places to post the declarations, who would be able to read the declarations, and punishments on those failing to declare their assets sufficiently.

By Nguyen Dat

vir.com.vn

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