VietNamNet – A seminar discussing measures to combat corruption in Vietnam was organized in Ho Chi Minh City on January 15 by The Communist Review and the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC).

There were 65 speeches and 16 proposals at the seminar. These presentations focused on analysing and clarifying the causes, situation and bad effects of corruption in our country in particular, as well as in other countries in the world in general; addressing the limitations and weaknesses in preventing corruption; and offering suggestions, recommendations and feasible solutions against corruption in our country.

Speaking at the seminar, scientists confirmed that in our country today, all sectors, localities and levels have corruption with different rates.

Assc. Prof. and Dr. Truong Giang Long, Deputy Editor-in-chief of the Communist Review, said that according to the survey of Transparency International (TI), Vietnam’s corruption perceptions index 2012 was 123rd among 176 countries. The index shows that corruption in the public sector is serious. Anti-corruption efforts in Vietnam have not been really successful. Heads of agencies or units, which have corruption have not been punished severely.

Assc. Prof. and Dr. Tran Thi Minh Chau from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, said that the survey in 2012 by the Government Inspectorate of Vietnam (GIV) showed that 14 agencies often raise difficulties for enterprises such as tax agencies, customs agencies, specialized management agencies, natural resources, environmental management agencies, police, banks, inspection. The survey also showed that 21.6% of officials and civil servants asked admitted the situation.

At the seminar, many people said that to combat corruption successfully requires identifying who and which fields are subject to corruption. Anti-corruption must be considered as an internal invasion. To do so, it is necessary to have a system of comprehensive and powerful solutions to prevent and deal with violations quickly and drastically. Therefore, it must strictly conduct education and practice morality in society, from family, to school, to the workplace. Morality must be a key subject at all educational levels. All employees and public officials must go through the course of ethics before holding office.

Assc. Prof. and Dr. Vu Van Phuc, Editor-in-chief of the Communist Review and a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Theoretical Council, said that it must strictly remove indulgence and avoidance for the phenomenon of corruption; it only sees corruption in other departments, localities and units, but dare not address corruption in its own sector, locality and unit.

Prof. and Dr. Nguyen Trong Chuan said that anti-corruption agencies must be independent with all of the Government. In addition, it must promote payment through bank account as in many other countries, so it can act retroactively in all cases of corruption at any levels.

Furthermore, some participants said it is necessary to speed up the process of asset declaration of the heads of the agencies.

In terms of amending the Law on Anti-corruption, the scientists also suggested to encouraging those who denounce corruption. At the same time, it must strictly deal with violators, regardless of the position they hold and whistle-blowers and their families must be protected.

Source: CPV