Dhahi calls for enactment of anti-graft law

Dubai: Police Chief Maj. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim has called for a national anti-graft law which will combat civil administrative corruption.

Maj. Gen. Dhahi added that the Legal Department at the police department had long ago finished the draft proposal for the law and had handed it over to the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf to be approved. The draft is still undergoing ministerial procedures.

The Federal National Council (FNC) should discuss the draft law during their sessions and should work towards its legislation, he demanded. "The council should put in effort in making this law possible so that we can stop corruption in all government departments," he said.

He was speaking at the conclusion of a course under the title Ways to combat Administrative Corruption. The course was held in conjunction with the FBI. Police officers from the UAE, Bahrain and Oman participated in the course.

The American Consular General in Dubai attended the concluding ceremony where participants were awarded certificates.

A definition of what exactly civil administrative corruption is should be given so that security forces can apprehend culprits, Maj. Gen. Dhahi said.

He added that police are currently using the penal code to combat such crimes and in his opinion a separate anti-graft law is more effective. He said every civil servant in the country should be given a course which defines administrative corruption.

Maj. Gen. Dhahi emphasised that combating such crimes is important because it affects every fibre and corner of society. "Corruption not only negatively affects administrations and the economic situation in a country but it also destroys people's confidence in their institutions and their values and morals. Things will only get worse if we keep turning a blind eye."

He added that Gulf countries should legislate comprehensive laws dealing with the issue if they want to develop investment in the region. "Companies with big capitals will never come to regions that have corruption or where there are no anti-graft laws. Such institutions need a safe environment to invest in and want to work under the protection of the laws." he emphasised.

Maj. Gen. Dhahi revealed that he had received phone calls from many people who think the UAE does not need such a legislation as there is not that much corruption.

"There is no shame in having such a law as every country in the world has such legislation, so why shouldn't the UAE have it?" he questioned.