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Saudi health ministry exposes bribery attempt
The Minister of Health, Dr Hamad Al Mane', on Wednesdayrevealed that a local company tried to bribe a ministerial employee.
- By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
- Published: 22:21 August 13, 2008
Riyadh: The Minister of Health, Dr Hamad Al Mane', on Wednesdayrevealed that a local company tried to bribe a ministerial employee.
The company, specialising in the supply of medical equipment, tried to bribe the employee to get exemption from paying a penalty amounting to SR3 million (Dh2.94 million).
Addressing a press conference here, Al Mane' said the bribe amounted to SR150,000 (Dh147,015).
The employee targeted by the company receives a monthly salary of SR40,000 and lives in a rented flat.
Al Mane' said the company's representative involved in the bribery case was arrested while trying to bribe the employee, Bandar Al Sharif.
He added King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Sultan have ordered that the employee receive a financial reward. He works as private secretary to the minister.
The minister did not disclose the name of the company that tried to bribe Al Sharif.
However, he said the company would be blacklisted and the penalty would be doubled.
The company attempted to bribe Al Sharif to get him to cancel the financial penalty after the company failed to honour a ministry contract.
Dr Al Mane' said he would continue disclosing bribery attempts to discourage companies from resorting to such practices.
"This corrupt conduct by companies is not new, as there are a number of undisclosed cases. When such a case is publicised, the aim is to send a warning message to others," he said.
The minister cited a previous bribery case when Dr Abdul Aziz Niaz, a top official at the ministry, was offered SR1 million (Dh980,100).
He turned it down and informed the police. Al Mane' said King Abdullah rewarded the doctor with SR1 million in cash plus the King Abdul Aziz Medal.
The minister revealed the ministry is currently investigating a number of financial and administrative corruption cases to root out such practices.
Do you think bribery can ever be truly eliminated as a social ill? If yes, what measures could achieve that? Share your views at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
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