VietNamNet Bridge – “Japan tried the case of PCI’s bribing a Vietnamese official. This is a clear indication we need to discover and punish individuals who break the laws,” said Chief of the Central Steering Board for Corruption Prevention Office, Vu Tien Chien.

Chief of the Central Steering Board for Corruption Prevention Office, Vu Tien Chien.

What did the Central Steering Board for Corruption Prevention do related to the PCI scandal, which has a connection to Huynh Ngoc Si?

After receiving information from Japan, the People’s Supreme Procuracy asked the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) to investigate the case. The MoPS has set up a special group to probe the case. On November 19, the Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee suspended Huynh Ngoc Si. The Central Steering Board for Corruption Prevention has its staffs participating in the MoPS’ special group to closely follow the case.

The case was reported by Japanese newspapers in June but Huynh Ngoc Si was not suspended till November to serve investigation. What do you think about the opinion that Vietnam’s response was too late?

For this case, the government’s point of view is taking initiative, being determined and strictly judging corruption, but we have to be careful, objective and observe Vietnamese and international laws. This is not a local case and we have to announce the results to the international community.

After receiving information from Japan, the government instructed related agencies to combine to investigate this case. In foreign-invested projects, spending is strictly controlled. While relevant bodies are inquiring, it is too early to say that we responded early or late.

Some say that the bribe was huge so the corruption couldn’t solely involve Si. How could the investigation be expanded?

This is a very serious case. Japan tried the case of PCI’s bribing a Vietnamese official. This is a clear indication we need to discover and punish individuals who break the laws. But we have to wait for conclusions by investigators.

I think this case harms Vietnam’s image. We need to have an investigation report soon. Any person who is found having violated the law will be tried.

After the PMU18 scandal and this case, what can we do to regain the trust of international partners?

Besides investigating this case, the government has asked the Central Steering Committee for Corruption Prevention, the Government Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Construction to cooperate with Japan to set up a joint committee to prevent corruption in ODA-funded projects.

The use of ODA in Vietnam is praised as being highly effective. The PCI is a particular case. If we deal with it well, the attraction of ODA would be good.

(Source: VNE)