Saudi Arabia detects 3,014 cases of public money embezzlement

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's Shura (Consultative) Council has discussed an annual report by the Saudi Control and Investigation Board (CIB), which revealed 3,104 cases of embezzlement of public money in one year and 1,073 bribery cases, among other irregularities.

"Some 1,091 forged certificates were found and 1,073 bribery cases were spotted," the CIB annual report added. It also said 454 government projects were stalled in the fiscal year 2009/2010.

Of the 3,014 cases of embezzlement revealed by the report, the highest number was reported in Qassim province with 862 cases where 910 were accused of embezzlement, followed by 806 in Assir in which 959 persons were involved.

Arabic newspaper Okaz quoted sources as saying that investigations were in progress on embezzlement cases in Qassim, Assir and Baha regions. It added some CIB branches were currently investigating cases of money laundering, commercial frauds and cover-up, and others.

In Riyadh, 380 embezzlement cases of public money were reported in which 676 persons were involved, while in Makkah 243 cases were reported with 372 persons accused. Jeddah reported 58 cases with 107 persons involved, while in the Eastern province 295 cases were reported in which 346 persons were involved. Najran and Madinah provinces respectively saw 195 cases with the involvement of 223 persons and 82 cases with 82 persons involved.

The report also added that 15 per cent of government employees were absent or reported late to their duties during the year covered by it. It pointed out that some public sector employees used government vehicles for trips outside the Kingdom and some also let their sons drive these cars.

Meanwhile, in a related development and as a first move of its kind in Saudi Arabia, Prince Khaled Al Faisal, governor of the Makkah region has announced the formation of a youth committee within the region's council to follow up the execution of government projects.

Saudi writer Mohammad Al Fadel has warned against any leniency against corruption. He called for enhancing the values of honesty in society.

Halima Muzafr, a Saudi columnist, said detecting financial and administrative corruption is not a difficult job and it was the bureaucratic public sector departments that were providing safe havens for those involved in corruption.