Da Nang leaders punished for misconduct

Former Da Nang Chairman Huynh Duc Tho and former Deputy Chairman Tran Van Mien were also reprimanded for their violations in the 2016-2021 term, according to a decision by the prime minister issued Wednesday.

Deputy Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kiem Yen received a warning.

In October, the Communist Party's Central Inspection Commission met out disciplinary measures on some Party organisations and Party members that have violated the Party’s regulations and the State’s law.

Specifically, the commission issued a reprimand to Chinh for management violations in the sale of medical products.

It had also issued reprimands to Tho, Minh, Mien, and a warning to Yen.

Ton That Thanh, director of the city’s Centers for Disease Control, was removed from the Party.

The commission said the Party Civil Affairs Committee of the Da Nang People's Committee had committed certain violations and was negligent in its management, allowing the municipal People's Committee and certain individuals and organizations to violate Party regulations and the law regarding the sale, management and use of biological products, chemicals and medical equipment; allowing certain criminal cases at the Da Nang CDC.

The violations posed the risk of losses to the national budget, triggering public unrest and affecting the reputation of city authorities, the commission said.

Da Nang police had said in June that from 2020 to 2021, Ton That Thanh and his accomplices conspired with the Viet A firm to embezzle funds in the purchase of Covid-19 test kits by Da Nang to fight the pandemic.

An initial investigation revealed that the value of assets embezzled totaled over VND4 billion (US$163,000).

There are four levels of disciplinary actions for Party members: reprimand, warning, demotion and expulsion.