PM Demands Explanation for Textile Quota Scam

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has sought a detailed explanation from the trade minister about his and other officials’ roles in a textile export quota scam that led to a deputy minister’s arrest.

 

The major scandal broke out last year when police uncovered a corrupt gang of officials who took huge bribes to hand out the quotas to export apparels to US textile firms. The gang involved 17 trade ministry officials – including former Deputy Trade Minister Mai Van Dau – and textile businessmen who have been in police custody since.

 

Dau was arrested on charges of “abusing power and authority” while discharging his duties.

 

His son, Mai Thanh Hai, an official in the ministry, was also taken in September 2004 for suspected involvement in the case.

 

The Government Office said on Friday that the Prime Minister wanted to know what Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen, other top officials, and the ministry’s Party committee were doing while the bribery was going on.

 

The government had sought the opinion of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on the issue.

 

Textiles are Vietnam's second-largest export earner after crude oil, with a large part of the income coming from exports to the US.