Former Chairman of Binh Thuan Province Arrested for State Asset Mismanagement

 The Police Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security made a decisive move on April 26 by ordering the temporary detention of Mr. Le Tien Phuong, former chairman of the southern province of Binh Thuan, along with several other defendants.

The arrest was in connection with their wrongdoings in the Phan Thiet Beach Tourism Urban Area project, spearheaded by Rang Joint Stock Company.

The investigation stems from accusations of violating regulations on the management and use of state assets, resulting in loss and waste.

Key figures in the project, including Xa Duong Thang, former director of the Department of Construction, and Do Ngoc Diep, former chairman of Phan Thiet City People's Committee, among others, have also been ensnared in the legal proceedings.

Mr. Phuong's role in the project appears significant, having signed pivotal decisions related to its execution. These decisions ranged from matters such as the conversion of land use purposes to approving specific land prices, covering nearly 36.4 hectares allowed for the project's development.

Moreover, the investigation revealed a concerning aspect regarding the project's financial dimensions. The Police Investigation Agency disclosed that while the appraised value of the urban land area exceeded VND 2,800 billion (USD110 mln), the state budget collected a fraction of this amount, raising suspicions of financial irregularities.

The involvement of various governmental departments adds complexity to the case. For instance, the Department of Construction, under Mr. Thang's leadership, played a crucial role in appraising detailed construction plans, including a controversial decision to allocate 20% of the land fund for social housing construction elsewhere.

Similarly, the Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, led by Mr. Ho Lam, advised on key project decisions, such as converting land use purposes and issuing land use rights certificates.

The legal proceedings have cast a shadow over the political landscape of Binh Thuan province. The disciplinary action by the Politburo against the Standing Committee of the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee and the Party Committee of the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province for multiple terms underscores the gravity of the situation.

Former communist party secretaries of the Provincial Party Committee, Mr. Huynh Van Ti and Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, faced disciplinary measures, highlighting the widespread ramifications of the case.

As investigations unfold and legal proceedings progress, the case of alleged state asset mismanagement in Binh Thuan province serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, resonating far beyond the confines of the province.