There has to be a better way to stop corruption
Last week, Viet Nam News invited its readers to comment on the new measure initiated by the HCM City Police to restrict the cash traffic policemen on duty can carry to VND100,000 (US$5) in an effort to address bribery. Here are some of the letters we have received.
Tho Nguyen, Vietnamese, HCM City
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This week:
On December 9, a workshop held in Ha Noi to discuss the problems facing Vietnamese gays and lesbians revealed that a large number of homosexual teenagers were bullied and isolated at school.
A counsellor from a centre for lesbians said out of thousands who called her centre for advice, 10 per cent had attempted to commit suicide and the remaining 90 per cent had considered it. The major reason was social discrimination.
The mother of a gay youth who had been ill treated because of his sexuality said she hoped for some education at schools to promote students’ awareness of homosexuality and prevent discrimination against gays and lesbians.
She said something must be done to protect homosexual teenagers to ensure that they developed into good citizens.
Activists who attended the workshop called for laws to protect the rights of homosexuals.
This raises the question: are homosexual people ill treated or isolated in your country?
Do you think schools and universities should include education about homosexuality in their curricula or conduct activities to prevent discrimination?
What do you think should be done to prevent bullying against homosexual teenagers? Have any special activities or campaigns ever been conducted in your country to protect the rights and needs of gays and lesbians?
We welcome your opinions. Emails should be sent to: opinion.vietnamnews@gmail.com – or by fax to (84-4) 3 933 2311. Letters can be sent to The Editor, Viet Nam News, 11 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi. Replies to this week’s question must be received by Thursday morning, December 22.
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As much as I appreciate the efforts taken by local authorities to limit bribery, I find the recent cash carrying limitation as unfeasible as asking police to wear uniforms without pockets.
If a traffic cop really wants to take bribes, it is not that difficult for him to get around the rules. In a hypothetical situation, right after a policeman accepts money, he could get quickly someone to hold that money for him.
So the real question here boils down to detect traffic police who violate the rules. We are told that the inspectorate division of the HCM City Police is responsible for monitoring traffic police. But I doubt it will ever work because at the end of the day, traffic police and inspectors are in the same boat.
And we, as the public, are not free from blame. If we stopped offering bribes in the first place, there would be much fewer bribery cases. The fight against corruption should start from raising citizens respect’s for the law.
Piet Bels, Belgian, HCM City
You seem to be applying rules for a primary school. In my opinion, it should be unthinkable that a supervisor should check how much money is in an adult’s pocket. That is for the Tax Office to do.
Creating civil trust and social transparency is the only possible way to create a liveable human society.
Your question is grotesque because it does not address the root of the problem: lack of investment in education, human values and infrastructure.
But as the traffic chaos is already creating serious problems, the authorities have no choice but to take rational measures for a society of responsible human beings, not for children in a kindergarten. These measures will undoubtedly include fines for people who break the law (driving left, driving through red traffic lights, driving on pavements, driving over the speed limit - and drunken driving to name just a few.
There should be no exceptions, not even for the Prime Minister. The number of people living in each square kilometre within big cities should be restricted, subways built and more green spaces established so city dwellers don’t go mental.
I am fully convinced that only rules can make society work. But no one should be allowed to buy justice. It is this behaviour that encourages people to break the law. I think the time has come for change.
John MacDonald, Australian, Ha Noi
It would be better to start recording traffic violations as they occur so that people, and the Government, have a record of an offence - real or not.
If some traffic police select drivers who have committed no offences, this will quickly expose their efforts at extortion.
It is disconcerting to see police pull over Vietnamese (never foreigners) while helmetless riders zoom past three or four to a bike.
The answer to the traffic problems are so obvious. One does not have to be Einstein to arrive at solutions. One hour standing beside any road, footpath or intersection will reveal that deeds, not words are needed.
Any foreign embassy would, I am sure, be willing to provide a few traffic experts to advise on the mess.
There is no mystery - only why so little is done to control the mayhem.
Steve Cooper, British, Ha Noi
This is a nice idea but impossible to enforce. The practice will create internal divisions of unity. The officers, good or bad, will feel untrusted and either become so disillusioned they leave or become more divisive hiding funds, so as to render the search pointless. If the team is corrupt, what value is there in a supervisor who has to routinely search and record the results.
The constant supervision of officers is simply impossible. What can be done here include clear and rigorous training in the whole concept/culture of corruption, in addition to the neutrality of police in dealings with ever member of the public outside the police force regardless of “rank” or “position”; internal investigation of officers that can withstand external integrity testing and staged disciplinary measures that stand as effective punishment – not simply prolonged suspension of pay. Full force rotation of officers every two years also helps.
The salary that reflects the position of power held by officers and reduces the temptation for corrupt practice to enhance income must be a substantial long-term government strategy. To help prevent corruption, there should be cultural change within society in regard to accepted business practice by providing “envelopes” as the solution to all difficulties. This places the responsibility on the public to understand it is not acceptable to make the “offer” or render the “gift” in the first place. They will be punished for trying without hesitation. They must understand clearly it is wrong or illegal to make the offer. Education on both sides is essential. — VNS