Manual on controlling fraud, graft released

Abu Dhabi: A manual of guidelines to aid in fraud control and anti-corruption within government institutions was recently released by the State Audit Institution (SAI), the institution announced in a statement yesterday.

The manual, which is the first of its kind in the UAE, defines fraud, and describes a control framework to detect and prevent fraud and related risks within government bodies, the announcement said.

In addition, it specifies disciplinary procedures, monitoring procedures to prevent fraud, the roles and responsibilities of internal audit teams in detection and reporting, as well as ways to protect those reporting fraud to the authorities.

Dr Harib Saeed Al Amimi, president of SAI, said the manual had been prepared following the best international standards, and was in line with the UN Anti-Corruption Treaty.

"Government institutions are responsible for managing public money, and hold a national responsibility to protect these funds and ensure their proper usage. Therefore, cases of fraud have a large negative impact on government activities and result in high costs," Al Amimi said.

"The manual will help government bodies set up the minimum measures for optimal use of public money and prevention of financial corruption," he added.

Al Amimi urged all government institutions to comply with guidelines in the manual and implement the preventative measures specified in it.