The issue was raised by Ms Pham Thi Thanh Mai – the Head of Economy – Budget Board of Hanoi People’s Council in a Q&A session conducted by the Council in July 5th, 2017. She emphasized that the problem of violating the order of construction planning happenned not only among households but also in high-rise housing projects. Brigadier Doan Duy Khuong was urged to accelerate the investigation process and publish the result to the public “due to its grave seriousness”, she said.
In answer to this question, Brigadier Doan Duy Khuong said, in the first six months of 2017, some violated cases, including Dien Bien No.1 Construction Enterprise and Bemes Production and Import Export JSC. – the two subsidiaries of Muong Thanh Corporation owned by Mr Le Thanh Than, had been transferred to Hanoi Public Security Department for further investigation. “This Enterprise has been implementing about 12 projects in Hanoi. On closer inspection, these projects are suspected of tax evasion and violation against housing administration regulations pursuant to Article 273 of the Penal Code.”, he claimed.
A project notorious for avoiding the financial liability is Dai Thanh New Urban Area, located in Ta Thanh Oai commune, Thanh Tri province, Hanoi. This project includes six 32-storey blocks, row houses, villas,… constructed on a 10-hectare area, invested by Lai Chau Construction Company No.1 (now transformed as Dien Bien No.1 Construction Enterprise) and Hai Phat Investment Joint Stock Company. According to the report of the Government Inspectorate in March 2017, it has committed grave violation. First, all six blocks exceeded their approved height by 3 floors. Second, land area for parks and greens were turned into office blocks. Third, the blocks failed to meet fire-safety regulations. And last but not least, this project had not fulfilled its tax liability; nearly VND70 billion (equal to US$3 milion) in tax had yet to be paid.
Moreover, the Government Inspectorate have handed Ministry of Public Security their conclusion on violation of Muong Thanh Group (also owned by Mr Le Thanh Than) in 21 other provinces across the country. Brigadier Doan Duy Khuong asserted the prosecution against all these projects, but it is only a matter of time as they were awaiting the guidelines from Ministry of Public Security. If the Ministry concurred in pursuing this case along with the 21 other cases, Hanoi Public Security Department would hand related papers and reports to the Ministry for further investigation. In the other case, Hanoi Public Security Department would still proceed to file the case and the accused, perhaps within next week.
Asked on this proclaimation, Mr Le Thanh Than responded, “I don’t understand. I don’t know anything. Go and ask Mr Khuong for more information.”
