Late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was the first to destroy the forbidden zone of the Politburo, when he arrested Dinh La Thang. This is the only case so far. In the remaining years of his tenure, Trong arrested many people, but still spared Politburo members.
After To Lam became the party chief, he launched a policy of streamlining the apparatus – a new type of purge, different from the form of “burning the furnace.” Up to now, the former police chief is showing that he is superior to Trong in many policies. Lam still maintains the “burning the furnace” policy of his predecessor, the “furnace” is still burning. In addition, he carried out a campaign of mass dismissals, of course, people from Hung Yen and the Ministry of Public Security are still given priority to stay and are even promoted to more important positions.
Lam pursues a policy of police ruling, so he needs to do things that are highly deterrent. If Trong once caused a shocking case, that is, sending a Politburo member to prison, then now Lam needs to continue this policy. He can even put the retired “Four Pillars” in jail. Only then can he make the entire Party fear his authority. In this regime, “virtuous governance” is just a slogan to fool the people, the nature is police rule, the more militaristic it is, the more it ensures sustainable power.
Compared to Trong, Lam is not liked by the Politburo and the Party Central Committee. Because he is liked by the Party Central Committee, Trong can be lenient with his “comrades.” But Lam cannot, if he is lenient, his “comrades” will be contemptuous, and his orders will be increasingly ignored.
The “Four Pillars” forbidden zone is a kind of unwritten tacit law, but up to now, no General Secretary has dared to break it. Perhaps, because when reaching the “Four Pillars” level, the relationships at this level are very complicated, including the retired “Four Pillars,” so if you pull the strings, you will shake the forest. That means, it is not easy to deal with a retired “Four Pillar.” However, it does not mean that it is impossible, especially, for someone with so many hidden enemies like Lam, if he does not make a breakthrough, it is very difficult to establish authority before the “comrades” in the Party.
Up to now, there have been 2 retired “Four Pillars” who have been disciplined, namely former State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue. This may be the first step, before being handled legally. But there are still many cases, even though they have been disciplined by the Party, they are still safe before the law.
Phuc is the name that the public wants to be “brought to the guillotine” the most. Because he not only simply corrupt but also caused deaths of tens of thousands of people durign the Covid-19 pandemics. The criminal prosecution of Phuc will help Lam make a big splash in public opinion. At the same time, by putting Phuc in prison, Lam sends out the message that the “Four Pillars forbidden zone” has been broken.
The only “bottleneck” in the criminal prosecution of Phuc is probably that Lam “accidentally took money” to let the matter go. However, in politics, “going back on one’s word” is a common occurrence, if it brings greater benefits. Moreover, no Communist will keep his promise if that promise is not witnessed by a powerful third party.
The political game must know how to be “as indifferent as a rock” in the face of unfavorable criticism. Wasn’t Lam also “as indifferent as a rock” when criticized by the people for “opening his mouth to eat a gold-plated cow”? A small action, but it denounces that this person’s morality is extremely low. But this person with low morality was entrusted by the Party with a great responsibility. So, if he “accidentally corrupt” he would dare to “go back on his word,” is there anything impossible?
For Lam, criminal proceedings against Phuc will bring great political benefits. Will he dare to play big or not? Time will tell.
Thai Ha – Thoibao.de
