In the case of Nguyen Cong Khe’s arrest, the state-controlled press avoided publishing or after publishing, deleted details about the connection between him with Vinpearl.
A typical example is the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, the news with the title “Why did Ho Chi Minh City Police arrest Nguyen Cong Khe and Nguyen Quang Thong?” firstly published as follows:
“The investigation process to date has determined that Nguyen Cong Khe and Nguyen Quang Thong have committed many violations during the implementation of the office building project, commercial center and luxury apartment project at the Land area No. 151-155 Ben Van Don, Ward 6, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City.
Specifically, in 2008, Thanh Nien newspaper had a policy to buy the land of the Saigon Tobacco Factory (address 151-155 Ben Van Don, Ward 6, District 4) to build an editorial headquarters.
Nguyen Cong Khe, then the Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien newspaper, signed a cooperation contract with Thanh Nien Media Group Joint Stock Company (Thanh Nien newspaper accounts for 51% of charter capital) and Vinpearl Tourism and Service Joint Stock Company to establish Thanh Nien Real Estate Joint Stock Company.
The purpose is to implement the project of office buildings, commercial centers and luxury apartments at the above land.”
A few hours after posting, Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper deleted the entire paragraph detailing Nguyen Cong Khe, former Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien newspaper, who was recently arrested in connection with Vinpearl company, part of Vingroup corporation of billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong.
https://nld.com.vn/vi-sao-cong-an-tp-hcm-bat-2-ong-nguyen-cong-khe-va-nguyen-quang-thong-19624011619571706.htm
Thanh Nien newspaper really had no money to contribute capital. The 49% capital contribution mentioned above is calculated by the value of the land use rights 151-155 Ben Van Don. The project on this land was later renamed RiverGate.
The connection between Nguyen Cong Khe and Pham Nhat Vuong is also shown more clearly through the fact that Pham Nhat Vuong and his wife guaranteed Nguyen Cong Khe’s VND300 billion loan at Sacombank. The purpose of the loan is for Nguyen Cong Khe to contribute capital to the VINHOMES RIVERSIDE ecological urban area project.
Thus, with Khe’s political relationships and great power of manipulation in the press and media, Pham Nhat Vuong had to voluntarily give a loan of more than VND300 billion (May 20, 2015) in exchange for being “protected” by Nguyen Cong Khe in terms of media.
Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper published on January 16, 2024
Hieu Ba Linh
