On the morning of September 13, continuing the 26th session, the National Assembly Standing Committee gave opinions on the Government's report on anti-corruption work in 2023 (reporting period from October 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023).

54 people were punished for declaring assets dishonestly.

In a report sent to the National Assembly, the Government said that publicity, transparency and accountability in the organization and operation of agencies and units have had positive changes.

According to the report, in the past 10 months, there were 23 cases of returning gifts to the unit, with the amount of 93 million VND. Of which, the State Bank had 19 people returning, Ho Chi Minh City had 1 person and Da Nang had 3 people.

Regarding the control of assets and income of people with positions and powers, the Government said that from February 8, 2022 to April 30, 2023, more than 13,000 people had their assets and income verified. Of these, 54 people were disciplined for dishonesty in declaring assets and income and explaining the origin of additional assets. These people were disciplined in the form of removal from the candidate list, warning, dismissal, etc.

In general, the Government emphasized that it has resolutely clarified and assigned political responsibility to leaders for violations and shortcomings in the assigned management and charge areas, thereby encouraging officials to voluntarily admit shortcomings and responsibilities and resign.

In addition, the work of inspection, supervision, auditing, investigation, prosecution and trial has been strengthened, detecting and strictly handling many violations; proactively detecting, initiating, investigating and prosecuting particularly serious cases in specialized fields, closed and organized activities (healthcare, education, diplomacy, corporate bonds, vehicle inspection, smuggling...).

In particular, according to the Government, the highlight of this work is also reflected in the investigation, prosecution, and trial in absentia of fugitives; paving the way for handling many fugitives in a number of other cases; and providing the basis for extradition of criminals convicted by the court.

"This is also a warning bell, a deterrent, a basis for research, promulgation of precedents, and uniform application nationwide," the report stated.

However, the Government believes that corruption is still complicated, unpredictable, increasingly sophisticated, with many organized cases involving group interests; corrupt assets are of great value, and have foreign elements...

There is still a situation of arranging and appointing relatives.

Reviewing the Government's report, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Judicial Committee said that the committee highly appreciated the results in this work, such as the enhanced control of assets and income of people with positions and powers, timely detection and strict handling of cases of dishonest declaration of assets and income, including those of high-ranking local leaders.

Citing evidence, the report of the Judiciary Committee mentioned cases such as Ben Tre Provincial Party Secretary Le Duc Tho, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ca Mau province... being considered and disciplined for dishonest declaration of assets and income...

However, Mr. Cuong also pointed out many limitations that are not new and have lasted for many years, but the Government has not had effective solutions to overcome them.

Typically, there is still a situation of arranging and appointing relatives to leadership and management positions in the same agency, organization or unit against regulations.

Mr. Cuong reiterated: in the annual anti-corruption inspection reports, the Judicial Committee repeatedly requested the Government to direct the rectification of the arrangement and appointment of officials that lacked transparency and did not comply with regulations, however, up to now, this situation still occurs.

In addition, the auditing agency believes that the work of self-inspection and self-detection of corruption within the organization has not changed. Very few corruption cases and cases are discovered through self-inspection.

In a general assessment, the Judiciary Committee recognized that corruption and negativity in a number of areas are still serious and complicated; the collusion, conspiracy, and assistance of state officials with enterprises to commit corruption, profiteering, and appropriation of state assets still occurs frequently in a number of areas.

In addition, corruption continues to occur within law enforcement agencies, agencies tasked with preventing and combating corruption. Statistics show that the Supreme People's Procuracy's investigation agency has prosecuted 45 cases, with 82 defendants, for corruption occurring in judicial activities.

From there, the Judiciary Committee proposed that the Government strengthen inspection, examination, and auditing, focusing on the areas of public asset management, bidding, auction, finance, banking, securities, bonds, etc. Effectively prevent harassment, negativity, "petty corruption", causing trouble for people and businesses.

Notably, through the results of investigation and handling of serious and complicated corruption and negative cases (such as the "rescue flight" case, cases related to the field of vehicle registration, AIC, etc.), the National Assembly's Judicial Committee proposed to more clearly assess the causes and conditions for the occurrence of crimes, draw lessons, thereby rectifying and strengthening state management and socio-economic management to prevent and stop similar cases.