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After earlier disagreement, law-makers
yesterday, Nov 18, decided that whistleblowers should be protected in the new draft Law
on Denunciation.
 | | Photo: VNN | Discussion also centred around whether those secretly informing on others should
not only be forced to divulge personal details, such as name and addresses, but
also to supply documents to back up their statements.
According to an appraisal report from the National Assembly’s Legal Committee,
anonymous denunciations are often made during elections, during appointments and
other sensitive times.
While it
was argued that most who complain have public interests at heart, it was
admitted that there were people who made spurious claims that caused discord and
wasted the time and money of authorised bodies. However,
some deputies said whistle blowers preferred to remain anonymous because there
was limited protection for them. They
said that in most cases, denunciations centred around alleged legal
infringements by officials at their workplace. Deputy
Tran Thi Nga from central Phu Yen Province said denunciators were in a
disadvantageous position and that their information should be provided
anonymously, but with addresses supplied. She said that this should be
stipulated by law. Deputy
Ngo Minh Hong from HCM City said that receiving letters of denunciation was a
way of obtaining information, so it did not matter whether if they were
anonymous or not. Deputy
Nguyen Van Kien from southern Tien Giang Province agreed, saying that anonymous
letters should be accepted and used as a reference if needed. Others said
denunciation was a citizen’s right and that they could choose whatever way they
chose to provide information. However,
law-makers unanimously agreed that there should be strict punishments for those
who maliciously denounced people. They
also agreed that the present lack of protection for whistle blowers prevented
many people from stepping forward to lodge complaints. Deputy
Tran Van Kiet from southern Vinh Long Province said while informers were brave,
they were not rewarded properly. “I
suggest the NA have a mechanism to protect denunciators and reward them so as to
encourage the denunciation of malpractice,” he said. The law’s compiling board
it would decide who should be protected and to what extent. They also said they
would consider the prospect of reward policies.
Measurement bill
Yesterday a majority of the National Assembly members agreed on the necessity of
introducing the Weights and Measures Law to help strengthen management capacity
on measurement activities as well as ensure wider socio-economic benefits.
Discussing the bill in Ha Noi yesterday, NA deputies said the law, which is
expected to be approved in the next plenary session early next year, would help
ensure unity and standards in the measurement system. It will protect the legal
benefit and interest of organisations and individuals while help to ensure more
efficient use of natural resources and energy, said the deputies.
The
appraisal report by the NA’s Committee for Science, Technology and Environment
received support from the deputies who said the law’s introduction would help
the country better integrate into the international community. The law is
expected to put Viet Nam in line with member states of the International System
of Measurements. However,
deputies pointed out some shortcomings in the bill and advised the drafting
group on ways to overcome them.
Violation of measurement regulations are getting more sophisticated and common,
said Hua Chu Khem from southern Soc Trang Province.
“This is
badly affecting measurement activities,” he said. “It is challenging the
guarantee for legal beneficiaries and the efficient use of energy.” Khem
asked the drafting group to ensure penalties for people and groups that break
the measurement rules. He also suggested the bill was clear and easy to
understand as measurement terms can be difficult to understand. A number
of deputies later said they supported Khem’s proposal. They voiced concerns over
the shortcomings in which has become petroleum measurement which has become the
subject of many complaints from the public. Some
deputies pointed out that a number of regulations in the bill were also
regulated in the laws on Food Safety and Goods Quality. They asked the drafting
group to review the bill to ensure the feasibility and effectiveness of the law. In the
debate on the management role of the State, Nguyen Trung Nhan of southern Can
Tho Province proposed to include the People’s Committees of all levels to join
in the management activities. The
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment is seen as having too much
responsibility in the management of measurement, said Nguyen Huu Dong from
northern Nam Dinh Province. He suggested other relevant ministries co-ordinate
in measurement activities. The regulations do not reflect co-operation among
ministries and therefore are not feasible, according to Dong.
VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News | 
