Hanoi (VNA) –The draft Law on Special Administrative-Economic Units of Van Don, Bac VanPhong and Phu Quoc has been a hot topic not only at the on-going fifth sessionof the 14th National Assembly but also on the mass media duringrecent days.

At the centre ofattention are proposed regulations related to land lease duration of up to  99 years for some special cases and the safeguardof national sovereignty as all the three special zones are located in areas ofcritical importance in terms of security and national defence.

Lawmakers havediscussed the bill with care and high sense of responsibility, and representativesof the agencies designing and submitting the bill as well as Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc and Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung have talkedto the media on the sidelines of the NA discussions to clarify many issuesrelated to the draft documents.

Due to a vast differencein opinions, on June 7, the NA held a session to discuss feedback and ideas onthe bill and adjustments to it.

After thoroughly consideringvarious aspects of the issue and opinions of NA deputies, scientists,economists, experts, voters and people across the country, the NA StandingCommittee agreed with the Government to amend the bill in the direction of removingstipulations on special cases in which land in the specialadministrative-economic units can be rented for up to 99 years.

At the same time, withthe aim to give more time to perfect the bill, the NA Standing Committee asked theNA to delay the discussion and vote on the bill until the next NA session.

The Government hasalso released an official statement on its proposal to the NA to delay theapproval of the bill in order to have more time to research and complete thebill, ensuring that the version submitted to and approved by the NA meets therequirements and aspirations of NA deputies and voters, while satisfying theGovernment’s target of successfully building the three special zones and protectingnational security, defence and sovereignty.

Over the land leaseperiod, the Government will ask the NA to apply regulations as prescribed inthe Land Law without stipulating on special land lease of up to 99 years inspecial economic zones.

The amendments withhigh spirit of self-improvement showed that the NA and Government have always listenedto and respected the legitimate wish of NA deputies, voters and people from allwalks of life. The decision received support from legislators and voters, whosaid prudence is necessary before issuing a new and important policy thatinfluences not only the socio-economic situation but also defence and security.

However, it isregrettable that over the past several days, some political opportunists tookthe advantage of the public’s feeling to spread calls under the cover of“patriotism” to incite people to take to the streets, gather in large numbers andevent attack in-duty forces, thus causing social disorder and creating theimpression of “instability”, which went against the efforts and determinationof the State and people in building a country of peace, stability, democracyand civilisation.

This is not thefirst time such plots has been implemented by the opportunists with the aim ofundermine the State and overthrow the administration. Over the past years, manyof their schemes have been uncovered, and many saboteurs have confessed their guiltand received punishments in accordance with the law.

Each voter andperson should show their patriotism in a judicious, constructive and lawful manner,thus contributing to building a happy, peaceful and prosperous life foreveryone and firmly safeguarding the nation against sabotage schemes of hostileforces.-VNA