To declare assets of officials informally (final period): Need to digitize assets

(Dan Tri) - Asset declaration is still a formality and difficult to monitor. Experts propose digitizing and publicizing asset declarations at the place of residence and imposing strict sanctions to increase transparency and prevent corruption.

To make asset and income declaration not only an administrative procedure but also a tool to control power, it is necessary to innovate in thinking, mechanism, technology and sanctions. When digitized, transparent and linked with accountability, declaration becomes a measure of integrity and public trust.

To clarify this issue, Dan Tri reporter discussed this issue with Mr. Do Duc Hong Ha, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Law and Justice .

Sir, according to regulations, the declaration of assets and income of the person who is obliged to declare is made in two main forms: publicly posted or publicly at meetings in the agency, organization, or unit where that person works. So, in your opinion, in what form should the declaration be announced so that people in urban or rural mountainous areas can monitor it?

- I think it is the difference in geography, education and technological infrastructure between regions that has created a clear "transparency gap". When public declaration of assets mainly takes place at agencies or on electronic information portals, urban people have easier access than people in remote areas.

Transparency is only truly meaningful when the people are the ultimate supervisors and have access to information. If the declaration is “frozen” by administrative, technological or geographical barriers, it is only a formal transparency and does not achieve the goal of preventing and fighting corruption.

To close the “transparency gap”, I think it is necessary to synchronously deploy many solutions. First of all, it is necessary to localize the publicity: the declaration must not only be posted at the agency where the official works but also must be public at the place of residence, such as the commune People’s Committee headquarters, village and hamlet cultural houses, so that people can easily access and directly monitor.

At the same time, it is necessary to promote the community's supervisory role. The Fatherland Front and organizations such as the Farmers' Association, Women's Association, and Veterans' Association proactively disseminate information and solicit public opinions in activities and meetings about the declarations of officials.

In addition, local authorities need to apply technology flexibly. In places with internet, they can take advantage of Zalo, commune and provincial electronic information portals or digital government applications to help people look up and monitor information conveniently. In "trough" areas or fragmented terrain, it is necessary to organize mobile working groups, bringing printed declarations to each residential area to ensure that all people have access to transparent information.

The practice of publicly declaring assets at meetings is now quite popular, but still has many limitations. This can easily lead to favoritism, lack of substantive questioning, and a narrow scope of supervision. How do you assess the formality of this approach, and what needs to be reformed?

- To make the meeting no longer a formality, two factors need to be changed: the participants and the way it is organized. The participants are not limited to the internal, but there must be a representative of the People's Inspectorate of the agency. This is an organization that represents the supervisory rights of the collective of workers and is responsible for asking questions. At the same time, representatives of the Fatherland Front or the People's Council of the ward or commune where the agency is located should be invited to increase objectivity.

The way meetings are organized also needs to be innovated. Not just stopping at reading reports, the meeting agenda needs to have a separate section: "Questions and explanations on asset declarations".

The declaration must be sent in advance to key components, such as the People's Inspectorate, for study. All questions and explanations must be clearly stated in the minutes, which serve as an important legal basis for verification and inspection when necessary.

The form of publicizing asset declarations by posting them at the agency headquarters makes it difficult for the people - the most important supervisory subjects - to access, because they are not free to enter and exit state agencies. In your opinion, is this method practical and feasible in promoting the people's supervisory rights?

- To make the disclosure of asset declarations truly effective, I think it is necessary to change the posting location. Specifically, the declaration should be posted at two places at the same time: at the agency where the official works for colleagues to monitor, and at the official's residence (such as the village, hamlet, or residential group cultural house) so that people can directly monitor.

Posting at the place of residence helps neighbors and the community monitor the real life of officials effectively. While colleagues at the office may not know that officials build a nice house, send their children to study abroad or other expenses, residents often know the real life, from the house, means of transport to the lifestyle of officials. Thanks to that, they can compare and contrast between assets declared on paper and reality accurately.

In addition, public disclosure at the place of residence must be accompanied by a mechanism for receiving direct feedback. At the posting points, the hotline phone number of the Inspectorate or the Inspection Committee must be made public, along with an email address or suggestion box so that people can easily reflect information. The most important thing is to ensure absolute safety and confidentiality for the information provider, helping them to feel secure in exercising their right to supervision without pressure or risk.

Many opinions say that cases of incorrect asset declaration must be strictly handled and there need to be more specific sanctions on this, don't you think?

- Through recent cases, it can be seen that the current sanctions are not deterrent enough. Disciplinary action, even dismissal or removal from office, is necessary, but still not appropriate, so it is necessary to study and increase the sanctions.

For acts of false declaration, depending on the level and consequences, more severe sanctions should be applied. In particular, for acts of dissipating assets in a non-transparent manner, criminal prosecution should be considered to ensure deterrence and create a breakthrough in controlling power.

When publicizing, posting at the place of residence aims to create transparency to prevent and combat corruption. At the same time, publicity needs to be carried out at an acceptable level and according to a roadmap, protecting the privacy and confidentiality of citizens according to the provisions of the Constitution, while avoiding the risk of property theft.

So, in your opinion, what is the solution to make asset declaration and disclosure informal in current agencies?

- I propose 9 solutions.

First, perfecting the institution on handling assets of unexplained origin: this is the key of the key. Even if additional assets are discovered to be unclear, if there is no strong legal mechanism, such as applying very high personal income tax measures, or considering confiscation if the legality cannot be proven, then the declaration is just a formality.

Second, technology and data connectivity are the “backbone” for cash flow control: it is necessary to build and clean up a national database on asset and income control, ending paper declarations and decentralized storage. This system should be digital, centralized nationwide and secure, managed by a focal agency, for example the Government Inspectorate .

At the same time, this database must be connected with other important systems such as land, tax, banking, business registration, vehicle registration, etc. Thanks to that, the system can automatically compare and warn of inconsistencies or abnormalities, enhancing the effectiveness of monitoring and controlling cash flow.

Third, increase the rate and improve the quality of verification: Verification “must go ahead” of “publicity” one step. It is necessary to increase the annual random verification rate, which is currently low. More importantly, it is necessary to shift from “mainly random verification” to key verification, focusing on sensitive areas and positions that are prone to corruption such as land management, construction investment, finance, and at the same time pay attention to cases with denunciations or feedback from public opinion.

Fourth, radically reduce cash transactions: large value transactions (real estate, cars, luxury goods) must be "blocked" in cash, then cash flow control and corruption will be effectively prevented. Non-cash payments must be required for large value transactions.

- Fifth, strictly build a legal shield so that sanctions are deterrent enough: dishonest declarations, late declarations, or those without reasonable explanations must be strictly handled, not just "criticism" or "experience learning" but must be associated with specific forms of discipline (warning, dismissal, dismissal) and block the promotion path of violating officials. It is necessary to continue to review and strictly supplement the legal shield to overcome loopholes, especially regarding sanctions and verification mechanisms.

Sixth , expand the scope of publicity in a reasonable and effective manner: publicity must be more widely available to places of residence (villages, hamlets, and residential groups) and substantial supervision by the Fatherland Front, the press, and the people must be strengthened.

Seventh, a mechanism to protect and reward whistleblowers: there must be an effective mechanism to absolutely protect the safety of citizens, colleagues, and businesses when they come forward to provide information and denounce dishonesty in asset declarations by officials.

Eighth, strengthen international cooperation in asset recovery: for assets that have been smuggled abroad, it is necessary to promote the signing and implementation of judicial assistance agreements to freeze and recover assets.

Ninth , it is necessary to establish an independent specialized unit under the Government Inspectorate or the National Assembly to supervise the declaration of assets. An independent agency with sufficient authority and resources will help the verification work to be more objective, proactive and effective, avoiding the deference and avoidance within the agency or unit.

I emphasize that asset transparency is a "test" for the integrity of officials and a sharp tool to prevent corruption. This is a long-term, complex struggle, requiring the highest political determination and solutions that really go into the substance, instead of just stopping at the surface.

Thank you for this conversation!

Content: Nguyen Duong, Nguyen Nhang

Design: Tuan Nghia

October 31, 2025 - 19:28

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/thoi-su/de-ke-khai-tai-san-cua-can-bo-khong-hinh-thuc-ky-cuoi-can-so-hoa-tai-san-20251031124336347.htm