Wrongdoings at Vinalines and the appointment of its former chairman Duong Chi Dung topped the Q&A session on August 22 for chief inspector of the Government Inspectorate, Huynh Phong Tranh.

Chief inspector of the Government Inspectorate, Huynh Phong Tranh

Dung and some other officials of Vinalines were charged with intentionally violating major State regulations on economic management.

Vinalines, the largest State-owned shipping and port operator in Vietnam, now has five loans in default, worth more than VND23.06 trillion ($1.1 billion). It was also found to have purchased 73 foreign vessels, most of which are secondhand, at VND23 trillion, according to Tuoi Tre.

At the Q&A session, Deputy Le Thi Nga, Deputy Head of the NA Justice Committee, asked the chief inspector to give further details on the responsibility of ministries and agencies in Vinalines’ violations and losses.

She raised the doubt as to whether there could have been no involvement from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment in Vinalines in the criminal actions.

Tranh explained that, after the violations of Vinalines officials were first discovered, the Government Inspectorate recommended that the Prime Minster make inquiry into the responsibility of the ministries of Transport, Interior Affairs and Finance.

Finance Minister Vuong Dinh Hue added that the final inspection reports into the case confirmed that all responsibility lay with the firm Chairman, General Director, directors of its branches and their affiliates.

“Vinalines was not allowed under the law to buy a floating dock that was more than 40 years old, but went ahead with the purchase anyway. Those responsible should be held to account,” Minister Hue noted, adding the Ministry of  Finance only charged the company VND8.55 billion in corporate income tax and more money is still owed.

Deputy Truong Trong Nghia from HCM City said that during the inspection process the Government Inspectorate discovered parts of the criminal activity of Duong Chi Dung, but was untimely in exposing them or preventing further misconduct.

Chief Inspector Tranh explained that, the agency which appointed Dung as Vinalines Chairman did not discover his violations and also did not seek the assistance of the agency, and so the Government Inspectorate could not interfere.

Previously, Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang did take responsibility for the appointment of Dung. However he added that the Ministry of Transport would not comment on issues concerning the Government Inspectorate.

Deputy Head of the National Assembly Justice Committee Le Thi Nga said the Government Inspectorate did nothing to check out Dung's credentials before appointing him to the position.

Speaking at a meeting on August 22 of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung requested agencies to speed up the inspection process of Vinalines case and try to arrest Dung Chi Dung.