The owner of a second-hand store in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City was nearly prosecuted recently after being suspected of doing ‘illegal business’. The case made the public question the transparency and fairness of law enforcement agencies.
"The problem is the awareness of state agencies and there remains the misuse of authority. A business environment where the interests of people and businesses are not guaranteed is a problem." - Dau Anh Tuan, Head, Legal Department, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
"According to the law, the role of the procuracy is important. Such local legal agencies have to supervise investigations, and remand people for prosecution and trial. So they have a lot of authority. But why don’t they fully exercise their authority? The responsibilities of procuracies must be made clear in such cases." - Hoang Ngoc Giao, Director, Research Institute for Policy, Law & Development.
In the recent case of the second-hand phone store in District 10, a police officer was suspended. In order to create a favourable and equal business environment, more aggressive action by state agencies is required.
"Higher-level authorities have issued sufficient guidelines and policies but things become distorted by the time they reach the street. Why? I think because law enforcement agencies are not fully supervised by the public. They are still a closed system." - Hoang Ngoc Giao, Director, Research Institute for Policy, Law & Development.
Recent cases happened in Ho Chi Minh City. They are just small cases but the prime minister immediately expressed his opinions and acted to address the problems. This shows the government’s determinations in creating a more favourable and equal business environment.
