VietNamNet Bridge – The Government Chief Inspector told National Assembly deputies on October 20 that this year 32 government officials have given the Government Inspectorate valuable presents they have received. Of the number, 12 officials were from the Ministry of Finance, who had gifts totaling VND118 million ($6,000).

Chief Inspector Huynh Phong Tranh

"Corruption is increasingly sophisticated, and difficult to detect because the corruptors are usually officials with power, good legal knowledge, and broad relationships, and they are linked to interest groups," said Chief Inspector Huynh Phong Tranh.

Tranh affirmed the determination of the Party and the Government in the fight against corruption. However, he admitted that corruption was still complicated. Corruption in the public sector continues to be serious, occurring in many sectors, levels, and areas, especially in the field of finance, banking, management, land-use management, natural resource and mineral exploitation and public investment.

After 8,000 administrative inspections and 190,000 specialized inspections, inspectors have discovered violations worth nearly VND32 billion. They imposed punishment on 1,700 groups and nearly 3,000 individuals, including 61 criminal cases.

Inspectors also found 54 cases with 87 people involved in corruption, with a total amount of nearly VND69 billion.

So far this year, 48 officials have been punished for irresponsibility, causing corruption.

The Inspector General also acknowledged that the implementation of the regulations on giving, receiving and handing in gifts has not been effective.

The problems, according to the chief inspector’s report, concern the review of law enforcement documents. The implementation of corruption prevention measures in many agencies, organizations and institutions remains ineffective, and the handling of a number of corruption cases has not been done in a timely manner. Judicial appraisal work remains insufficient as well.

Lao Dong