The National Anti-corruption Commission (Nazaha) has called for a statutory mechanism to hold officials accountable for refusing to provide required information when asked. In its latest annual report, Nazaha said that some government officials decline requests by the anti-grafts body for information pertaining to any particular issue. Some provide the required data after the 30-day deadline, which is a violation. These officials should be identified and taken to task, the report said. The report includes a proposal to make it obligatory for parties overseeing financial, monetary and banking activities to respond promptly to the Commission's requests. It has also sought access to bank accounts and property documents of corruption suspects without obliging the Commission to disclose details pertaining to the case. The Commission also pointed out that it does not have sufficient powers to investigate allegations of corruption and to make enquiries about corruption allegations related to projects. The Commission further said that its organizational structure has not been finalized because royal approvals ratifying its implementation have not yet come. The Commission emphasized that it gives due importance to such regulations so that its organizational structure is clearly defined because its jurisdiction is dependent on them. In addition, the Commission sought powers to interrogate suspects involved in corruption-related cases being investigated by it, and to confiscate related documents. Nazaha, under the presidency of Dr. Khaled Al-Muhaisin, has further proposed expansion of its scope to include public agencies, government agencies, and corporations in which the government owns shares. The proposal also covers public stock corporations, public utility non-governmental societies, civil society organizations, and the companies and enterprises having contracts with parties falling under the jurisdiction of the Commission. The Commission has also called for publicizing the names of people convicted of corruption. Further, it has urged all parties under its jurisdiction to immediately report cases of corruption. All relevant documents related to the suspected crime should be submitted. A joint database should be created to share information among all regulatory and supervisory bodies, the Commission said.
