Vietnamese social networks were shaken by the news that Le Thanh Van, a member of the National Assembly famous for his many thorny statements in the parliament, was arrested by Thai Binh provincial Police and his residence and workplace were searched on July 10, with the charge of “Abusing position and power to influence others for personal gain” according to Article 358 of the Criminal Code.
It is said that this is the result of an expanded investigation of the case by Thai Binh Police against former National Assembly member Luu Binh Nhuong – who was arrested on November 14, 2023, on the charge of “Appropriation of property” and later was investigated for “Abusing position and power to influence others for personal gain.”
Thus, from the beginning of the 15th term until now, the National Assembly of Vietnam has dismissed 13 members, leaving the current total number of 486members only.
Le Thanh Van and Luu Binh Nhuong are two of the famous dlegislators in the parliament, with frank, straightforward, unrestrained statements… in all areas of social life for many years. Therefore, the two men could not avoid the anger of senior officials, especially leaders of the judicial sector.
Luu Binh Nhuong once heated up the parliament with his direct criticism of the Ministry of Public Security. For example, he once said directly in front of Minister of Public Security To Lam, that “the violations of the Investigation Agency are very terrible.”
Not only that, Nhuong also dared to poke into the “fire ant nest”, which is the Ho Duy Hai case, the Dong Tam case, etc. At that time, according to observers, the Ministry of Public Security would find an excuse to arrest him just a matter of time.
Similarly, in November 2023, at the National Assembly section, Le Thanh Van had a fierce “word fight” with Government Inspector General Doan Hong Phong, related to the project “Saigon-Dai Ninh Ecological Urban Area” of Truong My Lan and tycoon Nguyen Cao Tri.
This is a super project in Lam Dong province, which has caused many leaders and officials to fall into legal trouble. Among them are Mai Tien Dung – former Minister cum Head of the Government Office, Tran Duc Quan – Secretary of Lam Dong province, and Truong Thi Mai – permanent Secretary of the Secretariat.
When talking about the cover-up by the authorities, especially the Government Inspection Agency, regarding the Saigon-Dai Ninh project, although the project was suspended, it later decided to restore it, Le Thanh Van questioned:
“Is the establishment of a working group to re-inspect the results of the inspection team legal? With the dual role of being both the head of the inspection agency and the head of the state agency, what responsibility does the Inspector General have before the law?
Two legislators Le Thanh Van and Luu Binh Nhuong were both arrested for “sensitive” statements, nearly a year apart, but by the same unit, the Thai Binh provincial Police. Although the purposes are different, the common point is to suppress and deter critical voices.
At the same time, State President To Lam and the Ministry of Public Security also sent a message, to threaten public opinion, that is “members of the National Assembly have immunity, but if they speak against senior leaders’ will, they will also be arrested” and “there is no different who heads the Ministry of Public Security, To Lam or Luong Tam Quang.”
However, the difference in the recent arrest of Le Thanh Van is decisive, because from now on, there will no longer be any National Assembly members who speaks against To Lam’s wishes. From there, State President To Lam will gain complete control of the National Assembly – the legislative body of the nation.
From there, To Lam and his faction can pass all bills, drafted by the Ministry of Public Security and submitted to the National Assembly, similar to the way the Grassroots Security Law was passed at the end of 2023 as the National Assembly’s National Security and Defense Committee is controlled by Lieutenant General Le Tan Toi – a close junior of To Lam.
International political analysts assess that State President To Lam is racing against time, to quickly build laws as he wishes, to turn Vietnam into a police-ruled dictatorship, and To Lam will become a bloody dictator like Putin in Russia. At that time, all power was concentrated in his hands rather than the collective leadership of the Politburo as currently./.
Tra My – Thoibao.de
