Police in HCM City are carrying out an investigation into the death threats sent to deputy chairman of District 1 People’s Committee, Doan Ngoc Hai. 

Deputy chairman of HCM City's District 1 People’s Committee, Doan Ngoc Hai, during an inspection of the street pavements encroachment in the area.

Hai said at the meeting with police in District 1 on September 6 on the threats that after he made public his mobile phone number five days ago to get information and feedback from local people on his on-going fight against the encroachment of street pavements, he has received over 3,000 phone calls and text messages. 

"While most of the calls and messages gave information on the violations or expressed people's support on my work, I received many phone calls and messages from six phone numbers which threatened to kill me and my family," Hai said.

Besides the death threats sent to his mobile phone, the official also said that he often see some young men driving motorbikes followed him when he returns home from office.

"I think that the threats may be related to my fight against street pavements encroachment," Hai said, adding that his work has affected the operation of many street-side restaurants, pubs or parking lots.

"I'm not afraid of these threats but I want the police to find out the persons behind them, who are obstructing the development of the society," Hai added. "And I will continue my work because I have been receiving larger support from the public".

The vice chairman of District 1 started his campaign against pavement encroachment in the area back in February.

Speaking with the local media at that time, he said that he didn't know how the former managers worked but he would take a radical method to deal with the problem this year. He also said that if he couldn't take back the pavement for pedestrians, he would resign.

Dtinews