VietNamNet Bridge – Top-ranking General Le Hong Anh talked with the media on November 4 regarding the investigation of corruption cases.

PMU18 Diary

Ex-PMU18 chief faces embezzlement charge

Huynh Ngoc Si gets 3-year sentence

Why Huynh Ngoc Si not be prosecuted for bribery yet?

PCI scandal still causing controversy

Many corruption cases processed slowly

Q: Some big corruption cases have been prosecuted but the investigation process has been too long, for example the PMU 18 scandal. What is the explanation?

A: Investigators have to seek evidences of corruption through records, vouchers and documents or through someone who know about the case. However, some organisations and individuals are not enthusiastic about fighting corruption. In some cases they refuse to supply evidence.

According to investigators, there is no specific government agency charged with fighting corruption so this matter relies on sense of responsibility instead.

However, in 17 big cases related to corruption, investigation has been finalized with some cases reaching trial.

Q: The public is very interested in the PCI scandal with Huynh Ngoc Si. After translating documents provided by Japan, what do investigators comment?

A: Through information from Japan, we investigated and detected Huynh Ngoc Si’s violations in leasing state houses. This case was tried.

Reading documents from Japan, we see good reason for Japan’s accusation against Si. However, this is the first time Vietnam has used foreign investigative documents so we have to consider Vietnamese laws.

Q: Could you tell us more about Si’s case?

A:. It is necessary to research how to process foreign documents. Japanese documents provide sufficient evidence but the case is under investigation so I can’t go in detail.

We have discussed with the court and we agreed to exchange ideas with the Ministry of Justice. We have asked the Justice Ministry to assess the use of foreign document. Sy is now in jail so we don’t need to hurry.

Q: An Australian newspaper recently reported that an Australian company paid millions of USD to a Vietnamese citizen to win the contract to print polymer banknotes for Vietnam. How has your ministry processed the information?

A: The Public Security Ministry signed cooperation agreements with many countries. Overseas information about corruption associated with Vietnamese citizens must be processed. I asked investigators to consider the case that the Australian newspaper reported.

Like the case of Si, we have to ask for information from the related country and then we investigate. However, this time the information came from a foreign newspaper, not from Australian authorities so we will directly work with Australian authorities to investigate the case. 

PV 

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