(KPL) The National Assembly (NA) is focussing on the improvement of legislature on anti-corruption to benefit the implementation of socio-economic development and poverty reduction and to leave Lao PDR out of at least developed status by 2020.

The NA has played an importance role on anti-corruption so far, which has been determined in the Constitution of the Lao PDR.

“The NA is a power body of state and a legislative body, which has full rights of decision making for nation and be able to monitor other activities of state bodies, people’s court and people’s prosecutor,” said Mr Thongteune Sayasene, Cabinet in Chief of NA. “The NA representing Lao people to protect the rights and benefit of ethnic people”.

Of them, the NA has also approved different laws involved to anti-corruption. The NA acts as a monitoring organisation to inspect in the implementation of Constitution, law, and the expenditure of state budget and accurate report to people. On the other hand, the NA members have to listen to people’s comments and complaints in order to bring the issues proposing to the Government.

Therefore the NA organised a seminar on the role of NA on anti-corruption between 24-25 March, at the Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane Capital under the chairmanship of a member of NA Standing Committee, Cabinet in Chief of NA Mr Thongteune.

The function was attended by NA members, senior officials from other departments and international organisation under the sponsorship of the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

This seminar was an important event, which considered as a partly contribution to the implementation of socio-economic development, poverty reduction and leaves the country out of at least developed status by 2020, Mr Thongteune highlighted.

A two-day seminar, focussing on the full meaning of corruption, the general trend of corruption, the Lao Government’s strategy on anti-corruption, other legislatures concerned and a direction for improving legislatures and other treaties of United Nations Anti-Corruption.

In 2001, Lao Government established the State Inspection Organisation with an attempt to cope with corruption and in 2005 the NA considered and approved the first law on anti-corruption and till 2007 the NA approved a state inspection law and state auditing law.

“The solving of corruption issue was not easy but now we have already had an effective strategy to cope with this chronic issue so it was necessary to further strengthen the legislature such as decrees and law,” he added.