Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

New Saudi National Anti-Corruption Commission to report directly to King | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat – Among the raft of royal decrees issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz yesterday was the establishment of a national commission to combat corruption. This new government department’s will monitor and oversee all other governmental departments, with its sole mission being to locate and confront administrative and financial corruption in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In his fist statements to the press, the newly appointed head of the Saudi Arabian anti-corruption commission, Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al-Shareef, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “I am honoured by this appointment” and stressed that he was honoured by the trust being placed in him by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz. He added “I will do my best to achieve the objectives that this commission has been established to fulfill.”

The royal decree establishing the “National Anti-Corruption Commission” also ensured that this governmental body reports solely and directly to King Abdullah, which reflects the Saudi monarchs concern with combating corruption and putting an end to this phenomenon. The royal decree called for the establishment of this commission within 3 months.

The royal decree also made it plain that the National Anti-Corruption Commission will oversee all government sectors, and that no government sector or department will be excluded from this. The royal decree gives the anti-corruption commission the mission of monitoring the execution of orders and special instructions with regards to public affairs, as well as monitoring and confronting administrative and financial corruption.

The royal decree provided the head of the Council of Ministers, and the head of the Royal Court, with all the relevant orders required for the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The decree also called on all government departments, ministries, and bodies, to submit to the authority of the commission and provide it with whatever it requires.