Lawmakers deliberated on bills related to national security and defense at the National Assembly on June 16.

Debating the Bill on Cipher and the Bill on Militia and Self-Defense Forces, some pointed out that other laws entrust the Ministries of Public Security and Defense with protecting national security and State secrets while the Bill on Cipher vests that responsibility in the Ministry of Interior. 

Deputy Vo Van Du of Dak Nong Province speaks at the NA on June 16. At the session, members debated bills on national defense and security (Photo: SGGP)

To rationalize the organizational structure, many deputies suggested that the Government Committee for Cipher be transferred to either the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of Defense.

Some also wanted the committee to be made an independent agency directly under the Government.

Cipher personnel should be treated on a par with soldiers since they too are often exposed to harm, deputy Vo Trong Viet of Son La Province said.

Deputies Nguyen Huu Cuong of Nghe An Province and Ngo Quang Xuan of Dong Thap Province said the bill should include policies to attract more talent as well as penalties for endangering national security and outing State secrets.

Since their job is critical to national security, the responsibilities of cipher personnel should be spelled out in the bill, Nguyen Hung Cuong of Nghe An said.

Discussing issues related to militia and self-defense forces, some deputies said the term of service for personnel should be longer than the four years proposed in the bill. But others called for a shorter term of two or three years.

The NA Committee on National Defense and Security said a four-year term is acceptable, adding the period is enough to train a member of the militia or defense force.

Lawmakers also discussed the proposed establishment of a self-defense force for companies.

Under the bill, a large enterprise that has been operating for 12 months or longer and has a Party cell must set up a self-defense force. However, other enterprises can also set up such a force at the request of the local military, subject to approval by the chairperson of the municipal or provincial people’s committee.

Most deputies agreed, saying it would help make businesses more aware of national security.

The Committee on National Defense and Security agreed to a proposal to set up a defense-security fund, but said the fund should be a voluntary one.