On December 13, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s Politburo decided to issue a disciplinary warning to Nguyen Xuan Phuc – former Prime Minister and later State President. Also being disciplined with him were Truong Thi Mai – former Standing Member of the Secretariat cum head of the Central Committee’s Commission for Organization, Truong Hoa Binh – former permanent Deputy Prime Minister under Phuc.
Phuc was disciplined for violations that occurred during his tenure as the government leader. The Politburo’s conclusion was still as general as any other conclusion, such as “Violating regulations on what Party members are not allowed to do and the responsibility to set an example, causing serious consequences, bad public opinion, affecting the prestige of the Party and the State, etc.”
The disciplinary warning is considered the second lightest form, after the form of reprimand. For a person who no longer holds any position in the Party and the State, this form of discipline is only symbolic, because it does not affect his interests.
Phuc is believed to be involved in many serious violations, such as the cases of Viet A, the rescue flight, Van Thinh Phat, etc. Therefore, he is believed to own many hidden and floating assets.
Phuc is considered to be “tough corrupted official” but also very clever in covering up, especially in “dangerous” situations, he still knows how to seize the opportunity to protect himself.
Remember, on February 4, 2023, at the handover ceremony of the position of State President, Phuc seized the “golden” opportunity to speak to the press:
“My family, my wife, my children did not take personal advantage, did not engage in corruption related to Viet A, and have never met the Director of Viet A. This has been clearly concluded by the Central Committee’s Commission for Inspection.”
The above statement is considered a scenario that Trong’s faction did not expect. Perhaps, thanks to that public statement, Trong could not arrest Phuc’s wife and children, because the Central Committee’s Commission for Inspection had guaranteed it.
That was the extraordinary shrewdness that Phuc had the opportunity to “show off” in front of the public. Hidden under the appearance of a “clown” with a sloppy, careless style, was a more cunning person than others. That was how he was able to climb to the PM’s chair, then the State President’s chair, even though the Government under his tenure was full of corrupt people, most of whom have now been disciplined and retired, or are in prison.
As the leader, Phuc must bear the highest responsibility. However, he was only disciplined lightly, more lightly than his subordinates.
Why?
An insider source told thoibao.de that General Secretary To Lam assessed that it would be more beneficial to simply re-embezzle the assets that the former Prime Minister had once embezzled from the people than to put him in jail. Moreover, Phuc was also very clever in taking advantage of public opinion to protect himself. Seizing the opportunity to explain himself to the press on February 4, 2023, was a great lesson for those who wanted to force Phuc into a difficult position. Therefore, forcing Phuc to pay money to buy in exchange for safety is a good solution for everyone.
With a light disciplinary measure of a warning, it seems that, once again, Phuc has bought safety for himself. However, the crimes that have been exposed by. Phuc are not all of his crimes. During his 5 years as Permanent Deputy PM and 5 years as PM, Phuc was certainly involved in many wrongdoings. So, perhaps, his landing this time is not safe forever.
It is very possible that in the future, there will be more new cases uncovered. If at that time, the former PM’s wallet is empty and he can no longer meet the demands of his opponents, then he may be prosecuted.
Compared to the 5 deputy prime ministers and a series of ministers violating Party laws or the law, Phuc’s crimes are like a “mountain” which cannot be fully dug up.
Tran Chuong – Thoibao.de
