Recently, the Hanoi People’s Court has decided that on January 16, 2025, it will try Mai Tien Dung, former Minister, Head of the Government Office, and 9 defendants in the case of “Giving bribes,” “Receiving bribes,” and “Taking advantage of position and power while performing official duties” which occurred in Lam Dong province. The trial is expected to last 5 days.
This is a notable case, because of the things that Dung did, his boss then Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc could not have known. To put it bluntly, Dung is the highest link in this case, but certainly not the last link. The last link is the “final boss” who is enjoying immunity from prosecution for the “Four Pillars” according to long-standing unwritten convention.
In early November 2024, state media simultaneously reported that Dung stated that he was assigned by his superiors to handle the petitions of Saigon Dai Ninh Company in the land violation case in Lam Dong province. And who Dung’s “superior” is, everyone knows, it is Phuc when he was still Prime Minister.
Internal sources told thoibao.de that Phuc once again used his own money to buy his own safety in this third case. However, there is also information that the reason the former Prime Minister is safe in this case is because of an unwritten rule that has long existed in the Communist Party of Vietnam, which is not to prosecute the “Four Pillars” even though he has retired.
If General Secretary To Lam lets Phuc off the hook in this case because of money, then that is a pretty big piece of dirty food that will most likely make Lam “choke” because in the current situation, Lam needs to punish a “Four Pillar” to set an example, to deter other “Four Pillars,” especially those who are retired but still have hidden power. This value on the political stage cannot be bought with money.
If he still hesitates to deal with this sinful former Prime Minister because of the long-standing unwritten law, then Lam is putting a yoke on his own shoulders, drawing a circle to limit his own capacity. Because with a large number of generals in his hands, with a powerful Ministry of Public Security, Lam is completely capable of breaking such an unwritten law. Only by daring to break the hidden law can those who are playing by the hidden law be afraid.
As for Phuc, he certainly cannot rest assured, when his own subordinates have pointed him out to the investigation agency. Perhaps, when the press dared to point out the role of Dung’s “superior,” it showed that the person who directed this case did not respect Phuc. Because if they respected him, they would not have hinted at him, would not have unmasked him in public like that. This is considered a political game, played by the person who is holding Phuc by the throat.
When the press used the term “superior” of Dung, it was as if Lam deliberately leaked information so that public opinion could convict the former government leader. From being condemned by the people to being convicted by the court, the distance is not too far. If the court convicts Phuc, the person holding the scales of justice will be known as “for the people” and will be welcomed.
The trial of Dung is public, who knows, in court, Dung might mention Phuc’s name, at that time, even if Lam wants to forgive Phuc in this case, it will be difficult. If so, Lam will lose points with the people.
Therefore, during the trial of Dung, no one is more anxious than Phuc. He is like being placed on a BBQ grill, and Dung is the one holding the fire. Whether to light the fire or not is the right of his former cabinet member.
Thai Ha – Thoibao.de
