The leader behind Ho Chi Minh City’s ongoing ‘sidewalk clearing’ drive has apparently lost patience with a ward-level chairman who failed to enforce the initiative in the neighborhood under his authority.

Doan Ngoc Hai, deputy chairman of District 1 and the man responsible for the acclaimed campaign, is demanding that Bui Minh Tien, chairman of Cau Ong Lanh Ward, be transferred to another position.

Hai filed an official request for the demotion with the District 1 administration and Party Committee, as well as Tran Vinh Tuyen, deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration, on Wednesday.

According to Hai, Tien neglected his duty by failing to enforce acceptable sidewalk management in the ward over the last eight months, including allowing repeated offenses by multiple businesses illegally occupying sidewalks.

He elaborated that eateries along Co Bac, Vo Van Kiet, and Nguyen Thai Hoc Streets in Cau Ong Lanh Ward are still openly serving customers on sidewalks with zero intervention from local authorities.

Moreover, two parking lots at the Co Bac – Nguyen Thai Hoc intersection still operate with impunity despite their licenses having expired seven months ago.

The failure of the ward leader in fulfilling an assigned task deserves a demotion, the District 1 deputy chairman said in his request.

Hai suggested that Tien be transferred to “a new unit more suitable for his ability.”

Doan Ngoc Hai previously filed official requests to have the deputy chairman of Tan Dinh Ward and the head of the ward’s urban order management unit transferred to other positions as punishment for their shortcomings in the campaign’s enforcement.

People walk on a fully occupied sidewalk in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The ‘sidewalk clearing’ campaign was initiated earlier this year before being put on a temporary hold in late March. 

It was recommenced after a four-month hiatus in August, with Hai directly taking to the streets to guide his teams in the sidewalk crackdowns.

Hai’s ironclad determination to clear Ho Chi Minh City’s sidewalks of illegal eateries and motorbike parking has come at the price of his personal safety after death threats began being sent to him earlier this month.

Despite the risk, Hai refuses to back down on the campaign, asserting that anyone illegally occupying sidewalks will be held accountable.

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