VOVNews brings you excerpts from the interview. 

Reporter: During the dialogue, many donors expressed their concern about the existence of numerous anti-corruption agencies. What will the Government do to coordinate and control these agencies?

Mr Truyen: We are aware that the fight requires the aggregate strength of the entire political system and society. Therefore, we need different agencies which have different functions, such as policy making, field inspection and supervision. Functions and tasks of these agencies are clearly identified in the law.

Measures will be taken in line with the Law on Corruption Prevention and Control, with a particular focus on preventative measures. Currently, we are examining administrative procedures, policies and mechanisms to amend them if necessary and avoid loopholes. By-law documents will be issued unless laws come into effect. For example, we are drafting a scheme on controlling personal incomes. As part of the scheme, State employees will no longer receive monthly salaries in the form of cash. We are also drafting a decree on transparent declaration of assets among ranking officials, which is expected to come into effect this December. Documents guiding the implementation of the decree are being compiled. Inspection will be carried out if ranking officials’ declaration is found to be incorrect.

Another measure we have taken over the past years is rotating ranking officials from one agency to another.

Reporter: According to the public, the crux of the matter is that ranking officials must make their finances transparent. We all know the monthly incomes of the US and French Presidents, but it has not been done in Vietnam. What do you think about this?

Mr Truyen: We hold that prevention is considered the key measure against corruption. There are different measures to prevent corruption, including those to manage ranking officials’ assets and incomes. Countries around the world have their own regulations on the issue and we have to abide by the Vietnamese law. For example, the US legal system allows ranking officials to declare their assets. However, it is not included in the Vietnamese Constitution and the Civil Code. In addition, the public declaration of someone’s assets must abide by the law. If we want to do so, we have to amend the Constitution, the Civil Code and citizens’ rights to secret of assets.

Reporter: Conclusions on scandals involving the Vietnam Aviation Corporation and the State Bank of Vietnam are expected to be made public in May. Has the Prime Minister made any conclusions yet? What have been proposals from the Government Inspectorate?

Mr Truyen: The Prime Minister has already made conclusions regarding the results of inspection at the State Bank of Vietnam and they will be made public by the Government Office soon. We have made our conclusions regarding wrongdoings at the Vietnam Aviation Corporation and submitted them to the Prime Minister for consideration. 

Reporter: Are there any wrongdoings relating to the heads of these two agencies?

Mr Truyen: Obviously, agency heads must be responsible for wrongdoings found in their agencies though are not directly involved in the scandal. As well as those who directly cause the wrongdoings, we consider the heads’ relevant responsibility in scandals. 

Reporter: You mean the Government Inspectorate has proposed considering the responsibility of the heads of these two agencies?

Mr Truyen: That is correct. Disciplines will be enforced depending on the scale of their wrongdoings.

Reporter: Are there any signs of criminal offence in these two agencies?

Mr Truyen: While handling the two cases, we transferred dossiers to several relevant agencies, including the police investigation agency. This means we have found signs of criminal offence, but further investigations are beyond our capacity.