Campaign against corruption falters
HANOI - The campaign to cleanse the administration of abuses of
power is faltering, with police reporting a surge in
misappropriation of state property and a fall in the
number of corruption cases coming before the courts.
Details of a police investigation published in the state
media revealed that 650 cases of stealing state property,
altogether worth more than US$47 million (HK$366
million), had been uncovered to the end of May, up
from US$1 million last year.
White-collar crime in state companies and government
departments was on the rise, with more than 14,200
cases of smuggling, trading in illegal goods and tax
avoidance last year. "Economic-related crimes are very
complex . . . corruption is happening in almost all areas
and industries . . . [and is also] often found in state
budget contributions to state-invested projects," the
report said.
It is unclear whether the figure to the end of May was
the result of more vigilant policing. But only 79 of last
year's recorded violations were brought before the
courts.
The investigation's conclusions will come as no surprise
to many Vietnamese, who complain of being forced to
pay bribes and fraudulent fees to a range of government
officials, police and even teachers.
"Vietnam is rapidly turning back into a feudal country," a
Hanoi University academic said. "Vietnamese people
often have clan-like relationships and patronage is
re-emerging, which means the law is selectively applied
while violations are often overlooked," he said.
The investigation reportedly found a high level of fraud
in private companies. Despite nearly 15 years of market
reforms, that sector accounts for only 17 per cent of
gross domestic product.
It is impossible to do business without "playing the
game", one foreign businessman said. "State-owned
enterprises are the worst offenders. It's routine for
managers to demand kickbacks. If you don't pay, you
don't do business," he said.
By Huw Watkin - South China Morning Post - June 8, 2000.
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