VietNamNet Bridge – Relevant agencies are investigating violations of the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group (Vinashin), said Party Secretary General and National Assembly Chairman, Nguyen Phu Trong, at the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on April 25.

Troubled shipbuilding group to be restructured for survival


Party Secretary General and NA Chair Nguyen Phu Trong.

Assessing the last session of the 12th NA, the NA Standing Committee concentrated on three issues: the responsibility of individuals in the Vinashin case, the high increase of the consumer price index (CPI), and the rejection of the draft Law on the Capital City.

NA Vice Chair Huynh Ngoc Son, wondered that if the Government cited the Politburo’s conclusion, that no official related to the the Vinashin case would be punished while investigating agencies were working on the case.

Chair of the NA Committee for Law, Nguyen Van Thuan, asked to make clear, the responsibility of Government and related ministries in the Vinashin case.

Chair of the NA Committee for Defence and Security, Le Quang Binh, quoted constituents’ questions that why individuals related to big cases like the forest fire in the southern most province of Ca Mau, or the PMU18 cases were all punished, while the Vinashin is a much bigger case, but related officials have not been punished?

Party Secretary General and NA Chair, Nguyen Phu Trong, agreed that many constituents don’t feel satisfied with the Vinashin case.

According to Mr. Trong, the Politburo made four major conclusions in the Vinashin case: 1) restructuring this group, 2) investigating and dealing with the case, 3) the Central Inspection Committee is in charge of defining the responsibility of related individuals and agencies, 4) making consent in the society.

“The Central Inspection Agency has just been considering the responsibility of related individuals and agencies. The remaining tasks are being implemented,” Mr. Trong said.

Chairman of the Government Office, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, said that the investigation of Vinashin will be made public, and related officials and agencies will be judged quickly. However, he didn’t specify the time.

Also at the meeting on April 25, the NA Standing Committee’s members expressed the constituent’s worries on the rising of the CPI.

“The increase of CPI in April used to be at the lowest level in a year, but it is 3.2 percent during April. Constituents are worried that the depreciation of the Vietnam dong and the increase of petrol and electricity prices will make inflation return,” said NA Vice Chair, Huynh Ngoc Son.

Chairwoman of the NA Committee for Justice, Le Thi Thu Ba, said that the increase of CPI has strongly affected the lives of people, especially workers at industrial zones. “There are objective difficulties, but I think the Government must take part of the responsibility for the increase of petrol and electricity prices,” she added.

NA Vice Chair Le Duc Kien, said in his meeting with constituents after the last session of the 12th NA, they showed their interest in two issues: inflation and corruption, low effectiveness of public investment.

Though it was not a question and answer session, as a cabinet member, Chairman of the Government Office, Nguyen Xuan Phuc explained that newly emerging economies, including China, also suffered from inflation, and this fact has made impacts on Vietnam. The CPI in the first four months is at 9.34 percent, and it is estimated to not reduce much in May.

“But thanks to policies like cutting down public investment, tightening monetary management, etc, the CPI will gradually reduce from June,” Phuc said; adding that inflation is a threat, but it is also a chance for restructuring the economy.

Analyzing the reasons for the NA’s rejection of the draft Law on the Capital City, the NA Standing Committee’s members say, that it should not blame the compilation board, but the deep reason is the bill gives a lot of priorities to the capital city.

Many deputies say that it is no problem if the NA doesn’t approve a bill. “In a society that is getting more democratic, it should be considered normal if the NA doesn’t approve a bill,” said Le Quang Binh, Chair of the NA Committee for Defence and Security.

PV