The Fortune Freighter vessel, built in 1997 in Japan, was purchased by a Vinalines' subsidiary in 2008
Photo: Tuoi Tre
The government’s principle in handling the case of Vinalines is to strictly penalize the wrongdoings of those involved as per Vietnamese law, Vu Duc Dam, chairman of the Government Office confirmed at a media conference yesterday.
The chairman took questions from the media regarding thefinancial wrongdoings at Vinalines, or the Vietnam National Shipping Lines, that were recently detected by the State Inspectorate of Vietnam.
Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam Maritime Administration, and former chairman of Vinalines, earlier received a special wanted notice and an indictment for economic offenses committed during the time he chaired the infamous state giant Vinalines, including the purchase of the floating dock No83M, which Dung approved without permission from the Prime Minister.
The 43-year-old dock cost the huge sum of US$23.04 million, but has been lying dormant in a port in Ho Chi Minh City for the last four years.
“The purchase of the floating dock was against the direction of the Prime Minister and the government, and showed signs of offending law,” said Dam.
“Those involved in the offenses have been indicted, and will be strictly penalized.”
During the conference, Tuoi Tre reporters questioned chairman Dam on whether the appointment of Dung to be the head of the Vietnam Maritime Administration followed adequate procedure, as he received the new post when Vinalines was under a state inspection.
Taking the question, Dam confirmed that the assignment was done in accordance with all regulations and laws.
“It was December 2011 when the Ministry of Transport demanded that Duong Chi Dung resign from the post of chairman at Vinalines to take up the helm at a maritime administration, while in January 2012, the Ministry of Home Affairs released the appraising document on the appointment,” Dam told reporters.
“Both of the said documents were issued prior to the state inspectorate’s preliminary conclusions on Vinalines’ economic offenses were announced, which was in last February.
“Hence, the appointment was valid as no wrongdoings of Dung were mentioned in his application. In addition, there are no regulations detailing that an official is not allowed to move to other posts while his institution is under scrutiny,” he concluded.
Dam then took a question from Phap Luat (Law) Newspaper, regarding the proposal of the Ministry of Transport to pour another VND100 trillion ($1.8 billion) into Vinalines, despite its myriad of steep losses.
“The proposal was made in accordance with the policy to develop our maritime economy,” he confirmed.
“The ministry of transport is still collecting feedback from the relevant agencies, before seeking final approval from higher authorities.”
Speaking at the meeting, a Dan Tri reporter also questioned Dam about the management and inspection of state-run enterprises in the future, after the precious experience gained from the Vinalines and Vinashin cases.
In response, Dam said all state-run enterprises are under the management of the law.
“The state inspectorate and state auditors have an annual plan to work with state-run companies, and if any of them is found committing wrongdoings, they will be severely penalized as per law,” confirmed Dam.
