Riyadh: A group of Saudi academicians and political analysts have praised the decision taken by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz for the establishment of a national anti-corruption commission to report directly to him.
The Saudi king issued a royal order on Friday stipulating the establishment of the anti-corruption commission with its chief having the rank of minister.
The establishment of this agency means the launch of a Saudi revolution, led by the King himself, against financial and administrative corruption which hampers state development projects, the academicians and political analysts told Gulf News.
The formation of this commission will drive forward efforts being exerted by the Saudi government for eliminating corruption at public sector agencies.
Dr Hassan Al Ahdal, a Saudi researcher, said the decision to have this commission reporting to the king grants it significant legal, financial and moral strength. “This is exactly what is required for fighting financial and administrative corruption as corruption has nails and teeth and requires genuine political will,” he pointed out.
He added that financial and administrative corruption is a global phenomenon. He noted the important role being played by the International Transparency Organisation in supporting official and non-official efforts for fighting corruption.
For his part Dr Mifleh Al Qah'tani, chairman of the non- governmental Saudi Human Rights Association, said fighting corruption is an Islamic value and the adoption of King Abdullah of an anti-corruption body confirms the state's application of a great Islamic value.
He added that immediately after it comes into effect, the anti-corruption commission shall urge public sector departments to implement the unified regulation of internal monitoring which was earlier approved by a cabinet decision.
The regulation evaluates internal monitoring systems at government agencies. The monitoring includes the accounting system and verification of different work aspects as well as suggesting necessary measures and tools which protect public money from being embezzled.
The human rights chief noted that recklessness of government departments in implementing this regulation has led to reported cases of corruption.
Dr Fatima Al Shammary, information technology (IT) adviser, pointed out that fighting financial and administrative corruption in Saudi Arabia will save huge amounts of money for the state's treasury. “This will also oblige private sector companies involved in the implementation of government projects to carry out their tasks with high efficiency,” she added.
She underlined the importance of upgrading skills and capabilities of staff working in government anti-corruption monitoring agencies by explaining to them the provisions of the UN anti-corruption agreement and introducing mechanisms for its application.
