VietNamNet Bridge – Newly-elected National Assembly Deputy, Phan Van Quy said he highly appreciated deputies who speak frankly, but to solve a matter; with many ways of approach.

“Chat” with a successful independent NA deputy

Newly-elected National Assembly Deputy Phan Van Quy

When did you think of running for the National Assembly?

I used to be a soldier. Only several months before the deadline for election registration, some senior veterans, including my former leader – General Dong Sy Nguyen, encouraged me to run for election. I consulted some of my friends and they supported me all. As the time was short, I could only run for the election as an independent candidate. I submitted my files only two days before the deadline.

What did you promise to your constituents?

I promised to do my best with the responsibility of a National Assembly deputy to protect the people’s legal and legitimate interests, to be close to them, to listen to their opinions and to timely report their opinions to relevant bodies.

For local constituents, I promised to do some specific tasks, for example cooperating with related organizations to promote cooperative programs with vocational training schools in order to create jobs for local youth, being interested in Heroic Mothers (mothers of war martyrs) and families of martyrs.

As a businessman, I want to promote investment in the energy industry to produce more electricity for the national power system. I also want to contribute my voice to policies on economics and enterprises.

If I was not elected, I would have continued to do such task, as a businessman and the founder of some social and charity organizations. My guideline for any issue is thinking thoroughly and comprehensively and practicing what I preach.

What did you feel when you won the election?

I was very happy because I was trusted by constituents. I’m responsible to well fulfill the role of a National Assembly deputy.

Why did not you run for the election in Hanoi (where he lives), but in Nghe An province?

Nghe An is my hometown, where I was born and grew up. I understand difficulties and hardship of my people. I would like to represent them to speak out their opinions and aspirations. Therefore, I decided to run for the election in Nghe An.

There were many independent candidates in previous elections and many of them failed. What advantages do you have to be elected?

When I followed National Assembly session, I saw many issues that I could contribute my ideas, especially real stories of entrepreneurs. I can also make suggestions to draft bills on economics, security-defense and social-economic development policies.

My action program was supported by many constituents. They said my program is close to their desires.

What do you think when many people said that businessmen want to join the National Assembly because they can easily have access to officials?

Constituents elect deputies for common interests, not personal interests. No matter who you are, once you become a National Assembly deputy, you have to contribute to common interests.

I don’t think that I become a National Assembly deputy to do something for myself. There is only one significant interest for me; I have a chance to speak the voice of constituents and businesses at a broader forum.

Suppose you want to contribute your opinion to an issue but if you say, you will displease officials and it will be a disadvantage for your business. What will you do?

I will consider the way to speak out the issue. I highly appreciate deputies who speak frankly. But to solve a matter, there are many ways of approach. I have been a business man for over 20 years, so I always look for the shortcut but most effective.

What did the community of entrepreneurs say when you won in the election?

Many people congratulated me and they hoped to have more businessmen in the National Assembly to speak about problems of businesses.

Was competition in the recent election fiercer than competition in the market?

I used to be a soldier and an employee for military businesses before running a private firm, so I have experienced ups and downs. My policy is doing everything systematically and methodologically. I used that policy in the election and I believe that if I work that way, I will succeed.

You are very busy, how can you attend National Assembly’s sessions, which take several months a year?

I always arrange my time reasonably. I have my co-workers to share my business and I will have assistants to assist my job at the National Assembly.

Le Nhung