Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung called on relevant offices to speed up legal procedures in handling unsettled corruption cases during the remaining months of this year.

“It is a must to clearly determine the reasons for the delayed handling of corruption cases in removing obstacles to successful conclusion,” the Prime Minister said.

Speaking at a meeting held in review of Central Steering Committee for Anti-corruption operations during the first six months of the year yesterday, Dung praised the committee for its achievements in fighting corruption, pointing out that the fight was still far from over.

Dung urged relevant agencies to continue speeding up administrative reform throughout ministries, cities and provinces, strengthening inspections and audits on land use and management, investment and construction projects, State asset management and State budget use.

There were 25 inspection cases conducted by Government Inspectors at a number of corporations, general companies, investment projects and banks in the first six months of this year.

Only around half of the 25 inspections conducted in the first half of the year reached conclusion while it was found that nearly VND1.9 trillion (US$90 million) and 1,430ha of land had been used for wrong purposes. Nearly VND1.2 trillion ($57 million) and 536ha of land were found to have been additionally misappropriated by ministries and related agencies.

According to procedure, 23 people were placed under the penal code while administrative fines were imposed on 228 collectives and 661 individuals. As many as 258 defendants have undergone trial, 254 of which have been prosecuted.

State auditors have audited 60 additional cases as part of this year’s plan.

For the second quarter, the Central Steering Committee for Anti-corruption is planning to review the five-year implementation of a Party resolution on strengthening its role in fighting corruption.

During the meeting, PM Dung examined the results a ten-month investigation into the wrongdoings of shipbuilding company Vinashin, the PM praising relevant efforts in handling the case while emphasising the necessity of resolution and transparency in handing down proper verdicts in accordance with the law.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News