Quake officials fired for fraud

2008-06-09 20:02

Beijing - Fifteen local officials in China's southwest province of Sichuan have been dismissed from their posts because they engaged in malpractice in earthquake relief efforts, state media said on Monday.

The officials were blamed for malfeasance related to the relief efforts following the May 12 quake, as well as for responding slowly to the disaster, Xinhua news agency said. It cited the organisation department of the Communist Party of China's provincial committee.

Their malpractice created a "very bad influence" among the public, said a department official who did not wish to be named.

Another 13 punished Another 13 officials were punished for wrongdoing in connection with quake relief, said the official, who did not elaborate.

The quake that struck Sichuan killed 69 142 and left 17 551 others missing, according to the latest toll issued on Monday.

Authorities in late May issued a statute providing for the punishment of anyone who engages in malpractice and fraud tied to quake aid, such as the trading of relief goods.

Corruption is rampant in China, both in government ranks and throughout society, as the country ploughs through its development boom without a free press or an independent judiciary.

President Hu Jintao has warned that corruption is one of the biggest threats to the legitimacy of the ruling Communist Party.

The government has repeatedly warned that any corruption involving quake relief money would be dealt with harshly.

- AFP