Speech by General Secretary To Lam at the 10th Session of the 15th National Assembly

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the National Assembly hall on the afternoon of November 4. (Photo: DUY LINH)

Dear Party and State leaders, Dear comrades, leaders of the National Assembly and central agencies,
Dear Members of the National Assembly,

According to the working program, today, the National Assembly will set aside a session for National Assembly deputies to carry out a very special responsibility, continuing to contribute opinions on draft documents to be submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Party. This is a time for those who are directly involved in building the country's legal system to contribute opinions and perfect the content of the documents to be submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Party, documents that will guide the development path of our nation in the coming years.

I believe that: The voice of the National Assembly deputies today is not just personal opinions; it is the voice of the voters that the deputies represent; it is the voice of real life, socio- economics , national defense and security; it is the voice of lawmakers.

Delegates have contributed their opinions from the Party cell level, grassroots Party committees, Party committees of departments, ministries, branches, provinces, cities... Today, as representatives of the National Assembly, the highest State power agency, the law-making body, the delegates continue to contribute their opinions at a higher level, with deeper experience, and greater responsibility. I hope that each contribution will go straight to the most fundamental issues of the institution and method of organizing the implementation of State power.

I would like to suggest some content groups for us to discuss, dig deeper and clarify further.

First, comments on institutions and laws. We enact laws to manage society by law, to build a socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, for the people. But in practice, there is still a situation where "the law is correct but implementation is difficult", "it is clear in the parliament, but at the grassroots level it is difficult".

I suggest that delegates focus on clearly stating: Why are there laws, decrees, and circulars that are issued very elaborately and densely, but grassroots officials do not dare to implement them; businesses are struggling and struggling; people are confused and going back and forth. Where are there overlaps, where are there different understandings between ministries and branches, where are the powers delegated but people are forced to take responsibility beyond their control?

We must aim for a legal system that is “easy to remember, easy to understand, easy to implement”. The wording of the law must be concise, clear, not confusing, not leaving any room for abuse or evasion. The policies issued must measure the impact, control the risks, and especially create convenience, not create more procedures. A good law is not a well-written law, but a law that is implemented in life.

Delegates need to clarify: In order for the law to truly come into life, what orientations need to be supplemented and adjusted in the 14th Party Congress Documents? We must speak frankly to make straightforward changes.

Second, on building and perfecting the socialist rule of law state of Vietnam.

A rule of law state is not just about having a complete legal system. A rule of law state is first and foremost about respect for the Constitution and the law, control of power, openness, transparency, and accountability to the people.

I really hope that the delegates’ opinions will focus on the question: Have we done enough to ensure that every power is bound within the legal framework, operating within its authority, for its purpose, and in the interests of the people? Are there any gaps that make people feel that “if they want it, they can get it, if they don’t want it, they can’t”? Are there any situations where people have to “ask” for things they should “enjoy”? If there is no complete answer, that is where the rule of law State is not complete.

Building our rule-of-law State means building a strong state that does not abuse power; has discipline but is not far from the people; acts decisively but is still humane, convincing, and has dialogue. Such orientations need to be made clear in the documents of the 14th National Party Congress.

Third, on decentralization, delegation of authority and organizational structure.

We have discussed decentralization and delegation of power for many years; there have been many resolutions and projects to streamline the apparatus, rearrange focal points, and innovate the local government model. Now we need to answer two questions: (1) what will be decentralized, to whom, and under what conditions; and (2) what will be the mechanism for accountability, inspection, and supervision.

I suggest that delegates give their opinions directly on this issue. Where subordinates can make decisions faster and closer to the people than superiors, they must boldly delegate power. But delegation of power does not mean "pushing down work" or "pushing down risks". Delegation of power must come with resources, human resources, tools, and a legal safety zone so that officials dare to act and take responsibility for the common good, not unjustly taking personal responsibility.

Regarding the 2-level local government model, we are gradually reorganizing it, moving towards a streamlined, effective and efficient apparatus. This is a very new, very important and sensitive content, directly related to the lives of the people and grassroots officials. I hope the delegates will give specific opinions: How should the 2-level model be designed so that people are not far from the government and public services are not interrupted? Do not let the declaration of a streamlined apparatus create more layers of asking and giving in reality. Another important thing is what rights the grassroots government must have, what resources it must have for the task of creating development at the grassroots level. What should be added to the legal corridor for this task?

Along with that is the relationship between the 3 levels of government: Central, provincial/municipal, and grassroots. The three levels must be a smoothly operating entity, sharing responsibilities and supporting each other. Absolutely not 3 layers "passing responsibilities to each other" so that the people run around. Comrades are National Assembly delegates, going to the grassroots a lot, please give your detailed comments on these places.

Fourth , on the organic relationship between the Party, the State, the Fatherland Front , organizations and the people.

We affirm that the Party's leadership role is the decisive factor in all victories of the Vietnamese revolution. But how to lead? Lead by correct guidelines, by setting a clean example, by organizing effective implementation, by building people's trust - or by administrative orders? This answer must be clear, transparent, and convincing to the people.

I hope delegates will contribute more ideas: What mechanism can the Party lead absolutely and comprehensively without doing it for them, without making excuses, without being lax? The Government manages and operates according to the law, daring to take personal responsibility; the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations truly become a bridge of trust between the Party, the State and the people. The people are not only beneficiaries but also participants, supervisors, critics and companions.

If we talk about "people-centered", we must design a mechanism so that people have a real voice, real supervisory rights, and the opportunity to participate in real issues.

Fifth, on the Party's leadership and governing role in the legal system and in practical management.

Our Party is the ruling party. Ruling means taking responsibility before the people for the development of the country and for the daily lives of the people. Ruling is not only setting out policies, but also organizing implementation, checking implementation, and taking responsibility for the results.

Therefore, the documents submitted to the 14th Party Congress cannot just say "strengthening the Party's leadership" in a general way. We must clarify: The Party leads to ensure that all policies and laws truly serve the people, develop the country, maintain independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, maintain political and social stability; and preserve the great national unity bloc. The Party leads to fight against sectoral and local thinking, group interests, negativity, corruption, and waste. The Party leads to protect those who dare to think, dare to do, and dare to take responsibility for the common good.

I would like delegates to comment on whether the draft documents submitted to the 14th National Party Congress have fully stated these things, are they clear, and have touched on the existing weaknesses.

Sixth, on the spirit of innovation in thinking, innovation in working methods, innovation in national governance according to the motto of creation and for the people.

The world changes very quickly. Domestic practice also changes very quickly. If our thinking is slower than practice, the document will become outdated immediately, even as soon as it is passed. Therefore, I suggest that delegates read the document with the following spirit: Is there any point where the old thinking, the old way of speaking, the old way of doing things still exist? Is there any point where we still maintain the habit of managing by asking and giving, while the State should play a constructive role, serving the people and businesses?

We must more clearly affirm the national governance model in the coming period: Governance based on transparent laws, reliable data, modern digital infrastructure, streamlined apparatus, honest and disciplined officials, and service. Such governance is development-creating governance, not beg-grant governance.

I ask delegates to contribute specific examples from their respective industries, localities, and fields: Where there are still cumbersome procedures that discourage businesses; where people are frustrated because they have to go back and forth many times without getting things done; where there are still “mechanisms” being used. We should state them directly, not avoid them. Only by looking directly can we correct those shortcomings and limitations.

Saturday, about new points, breakthrough points.

The Party's 14th Congress Document Subcommittee has raised 18 new points, which are considered breakthrough orientations, demonstrating the spirit of daring to innovate, daring to change the development model, daring to reorganize the apparatus and operating methods. I will not repeat each point here. I only ask the delegates to help answer two very important questions:

First question, are those 18 new points enough? Are any of them still at the level of “policy”, “orientation”, “will be studied”, while society is demanding specific answers, a clear roadmap, and clear responsibility?

Second question, according to the delegates, those who are close to the people, understand real life, understand the voters' thoughts, what are the issues that have not been properly named in the documents? What are the knots that if not resolved now, will we have to pay a higher price in the next 5 years? Please speak frankly, speak completely, and clearly about those points and those findings.

The documents of the 14th Party Congress are original documents. If we clarify them right now, the process of institutionalization, law-making, and law enforcement will be smoother, more unified, and less confusing. On the contrary, if the documents are still general and incomplete, when put into law, there will be different understandings, different ways of doing things, and even "applications" according to individual understandings. Thus, the people who suffer the most are the people.

Dear comrades,

I really hope that today's discussion and the next rounds of comments will be truly frank, responsible, and constructive. What the Party, the National Assembly, the Government, and the people want have a very specific, very close, and very simple common denominator: a country with sustainable development; an orderly, disciplined, warm, and humane society; people are protected and given the opportunity to rise up through their own labor; those who do the right thing by law will be protected, those who do wrong will be dealt with fairly, with no forbidden zones.

I ask each National Assembly delegate today to contribute as a representative of the people, and also as a party member and cadre with profound practical experience. Say what you really see, what you are concerned about, and what you dare to take responsibility for.

I would like to re-emphasize 6 specific requirements: (1) Comments on the feasibility of institutions and laws. (2) Comments on the organization of state power, the mechanism of power control, the mechanism of personal responsibility. (3) Comments on decentralization, delegation of power, the two-level local government model, the relationship between the three levels of government. (4) Comments on the relationship between the Party-State-Fatherland Front, political and social organizations-People so that it is truly close and truly unanimous. (5) Comments on the role of the ruling Party in governing the country's development. (6) Comments to clarify and deepen the breakthrough points, not just stopping at the motto but going into the operating mechanism.

I believe that with their working experience, close connection with voters, and mettle, the delegates will do this responsibility very well.

I wish the delegates good health, intelligence and enthusiasm, so that their voices can be included in documents and in people's lives.

Thank you very much, delegates of the National Assembly.

To Lam

General Secretary

Nhandan.vn

Source: https://nhandan.vn/phat-bieu-cua-tong-bi-thu-to-lam-tai-ky-hop-thu-10-quoc-hoi-khoa-xv-post920569.html