The Vietnamese government has announced violations by the head of the environmental department in northern Yen Bai Province, including the dishonest declaration of his villa complex, and ordered a report of his punishment.

The Government Inspectorate publicized their findings regarding the offenses of Pham Sy Quy, director of the Yen Bai Department of Natural Resources and Environment, on Monday.

Quy came to the public’s attention in June after local media outlets revealed that a 1.3 hectare villa complex in Yen Bai City was owned by his family.

The official claimed that he had borrowed about VND20 billion ($887,000) in bank loans, another sum from friends, and saved since he was young in order to build the property.

According to the results of a four-month investigation, Quy had not declared several portions of his assets since 2014, in violation of Directive No.33 of the Politburo.

In Vietnam, officials are required to write down a list of assets they own in their profiles.

Deputy Chief Inspector of the Government Bui Ngoc Lam chairs the meeting on October 23, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

In 2014, the official failed to declare 1,200 square meters of land and over 59,000 square meters of agricultural land, along with a bank loan worth VND3.8 billion (US$166,884).

In 2015, over 13,000 square meters of residential land, 41,000 square meters of agricultural land, a VND6 billion ($263,502) bank loan, and some VND1.9 billion ($83,442) gifted by his parents were also not declared.

In 2016, after Quy was appointed director of the provincial environment department, he failed to make known of over 7,900 square meters of residential land, 27,336 square meters of agricultural land, a 600 square meter house in Minh Tan Ward, Yen Bai City, more than VND9 billion ($395,253) worth of bank loans, and 60 taels of gold borrowed from his friends.

Official documents state that the land is owned by his wife, Hoang Thi Hue.

The villa complex owned by Pham Sy Quy and his family in Yen Bai City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The Government Inspectorate consider Quy’s dishonest asset declarations a serious violation and have ordered a suitable penalty.

In addition, his wife, Hue, faces charges of altering the original design of a three-story home during the period of investigation. She was also found to be constructing several facilities without a proper building permit.

Several individuals at the People’s Committee in Yen Bai City, including the chairman and his deputies, will be sanctioned for allowing the violations to continue.

The Yen Bai provincial administration has been requested to make a report regarding appropriate punishment and submit it to the prime minister and Government Inspectorate before November 30.

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