Our Battle Against Corruption

There have been reports that the Shoura Council is in the process of laying down a strategy to fight corruption in the civil service, including enacting anti-bribery legislation. The Shoura Council would begin by inviting a number of private contractors through the chambers of commerce to discuss the issue.

corruption and bribery

To start with, the Shoura Council must be commended for acknowledging that there is a problem of corruption and bribery here. This is the first step toward a solution, or at least reducing the effect of this vile practice on society.

The honorable members of the council should compare the cost of a modest project undertaken by any government department in the Kingdom with that of a strategic and vital project elsewhere. They will immediately realize that we do have a corruption problem, simply because small projects in Saudi Arabia are twice as expensive as they would be abroad.

The honorable members must realize that contractors would never divulge their “business secrets” or give details regarding their dealings with corrupt officials in charge of government contracts. These contractors are not so naive as to destroy what they have so carefully built.

It is said that as long as people feel safe and immune from punishment they will not abandon their illegal practices. Some contractors have such close business relationships with government officials that they enter their offices at will and invite them on private trips, all because they are confident that nothing can happen to them.

The honorable members should start by reforming our accounting and auditing system, reward and punish equally and make the names of all corrupt officials public. Only then will something positive be achieved. They must realize they have a tough battle ahead and are entering into a very dangerous area. Resistance to any attempt at reform will be tough, and the enemy will use any means at his disposal. The fight requires diligence and caution.

Source : arabnews