Early challenge for Vietnam PM

The new prime minister has promised to tackle corruption

Almost half the members of Vietnam's National Assembly have failed to support a proposal from the Prime Minister on his first day in office.

Assembly members were angry at a decision to allow the transport minister to retire without punishment.

Many felt he should take responsibility for a multi-million dollar corruption scandal in his ministry.

The Assembly has been a rubber stamp for the Communist Party, but is showing signs of independent thinking.

In the vote, 44% of its members either abstained or voted to reject a proposal by the new Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung, to allow Transport Minister Dao Dinh Binh to retire along with his colleagues.

NEW FACES Nguyen Tan Dung, 56, Prime Minister Groomed for top by outgoing PM Phan Van Khai Army background suggests politically conservative Southerner thought to favour more economic reform Nguyen Minh Triet, 63, President Party chief in Ho Chi Minh City, reputed to favour economic openness Was in charge when underworld figure Nam Cam tried and executed Changing times for Vietnam

Two weeks ago, in live televised question and answer sessions, members angrily accused Mr Binh of failing to stop the country's biggest corruption scandal.

Millions of dollars, some of it overseas aid, was skimmed off official road-building contracts and gambled on European football matches.

Mr Binh resigned and escaped punishment but many members wanted to make an example of him.

They failed and the Prime Minister won the vote - but such a significant show of dissent is unusual in Vietnamese politics.

It also marks an uncertain beginning for the prime minister's term of office.

He has promised to root out official corruption but has begun by letting one accused minister off the hook.