Senior cadre in Vietnam jailed for corruption
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A FORMER energy minister yesterday became the most senior victim of Vietnam's anti-corruption drive when he was jailed for three years for skimming off profits from the sale of steel to his ministry, writes Raymond Whitaker.
Vu Ngoc Hai was in the cabinet until 1992 and remained a member of the Communist Party's central committee until last month. Eight other officials were also sentenced yesterday to prison terms of up to five years for their part in one of the worst corruption scandals to become public since Vietnam began moving towards a market economy.
Mr Hai was found guilty of ordering 4,000 tonnes of steel for a power project from an intermediary firm run by a relative instead of going through a state company, a fraud that prosecutors said cost the state 3.1bn dong (pounds 193,000). The project, the construction of a power line from a hydro-electric plant in the north to the faster-developing south, has been notorious for bribery and theft of materials, which is believed to have doubled the cost from the initial pounds 200m.
The authorities clearly intended the case as a warning to other officials. The proceedings were open to foreign journalists and were relayed by loudspeaker to the hundreds of people who failed to get into the courtroom. The prominence given to the six-day trial, which lasted twice the expected length because of defence challenges, was also believed to be aimed at reassuring foreign investors.
The Vietnamese leadership, in particular the Prime Minister, Vo Van Kiet, seems almost desperate to hold back the tide of corruption, which Mr Kiet recently said was 'undermining the state as well as the confidence of the people'. Last year an official newspaper estimated that more than a quarter of Vietnam's public works spending was lost because of corruption or negligence. 'Some cadres who managed to meet all challenges during the revolutionary struggle and the war are now unable to overcome flattery and bribes,' it said. The temptations are likely to multiply following the lifting this month of the American trade embargo, which has already brought US businessmen rushing into the country.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments