Gulf | Saudi Arabia

Corruption cases on the rise in Saudi Arabia

Report by Interior Ministry reveals a 15% increase despite legislation to combat problem.

  • By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
  • Published: 00:53 February 20, 2008
  • Gulf News

Riyadh: Bribery cases in Saudi Arabia increased by 15 per cent in 2007, according to a recent report released by the Saudi interior ministry.

Despite the fact the cases of bribery increased last year, no case was reported in the Baha region, the report added. Baha is located in the southern part of Saudi Arabia.

However, the report did not say why no bribery cases were reported in this area in particular while cases of bribery were reported in other parts of the kingdom.

The report noted that 221 expatriates in Riyadh were accused of bribery last year. It did not say the overall cases of bribery reported in Riyadh that year. It added that 237 Saudis were involved in bribery cases in the eastern province in 2007.

Imprisonment

The total reported cases of bribery in that year in the province amounted to 340, the report pointed out.

Bribery is on the increase in Saudi Arabia despite Saudi government efforts to fight it by enacting relevant laws.

The first Saudi anti-bribery law was enacted in 1962. The law was amended in 1968 and then in 1992.

The last amended law to combat bribery, endorsed by the Saudi Cabinet in 1992, stipulates severe punishment against those who receive bribes.

The law notes that "any employee who accepted or received a promise or gift to perform any duties of his function, shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding one million riyals (Dh1m) or both."

Using connections or influences, or what is known in Arabic, as "wasta" is common in the kingdom. The practice is not considered illegal in official circles. It is not unusual to see people seeking "wasta" to get things done outside of the normal procedures.

Observers attributed the spread of this practice, among other things, to the social and tribal connections in Saudi Arabia.

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