Vietnam - Probe reveals USD3 billion lost to corruption

>>  Officials reevaluate anti-corruption efforts

Investigative agencies have carried out nearly 63,000 anti-corruption inspections between 2007 and 2011, according to a recent report.

A report released at a national conference on corruption held on March 7 said that the agencies had uncovered VND52 trillion (USD2.49 billion) and over USD7 million worth of losses due to corruption during the period.

Administrative punishments have been applied to 12,000 individuals and 1,600 organisations over the past five years.

During the same period, the agency has pursued over 1,600 court cases involving nearly 3,900 offenders.

Speaking at the gathering, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said, “Even though the number of corruption cases subjected to the investigations and legal proceedings has slightly decreased over the past five years, corruption is still a pressing issue that needs more focus.”

In the 2007-2011 period, a total of 555 high-ranking officials in state agencies have faced discipline due to their incompetence which allowed corruption to flourish.

A total of 451 state officials declared their gifts worth nearly VND1.8 billion (USD86,330) to their organisations while 147,292 officials have undergone job changes during the period.

According to Phuc, anti-corruption efforts have yet to meet the country’s target set for the period of preventing corruption.

“In the time to come, corruption remains one of the greatest threats that may affect the existence and development of the ruling party and the Government. Greater efforts must be made to heighten prevention efforts,” he added.

P. Thao | dtinews.vn

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