RIYADH: It was announced Saturday that the Cabinet has formally approved the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission, the body ordered in the Royal Decrees issued in March by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to combat corruption. The approval, which was sealed in last Monday's Cabinet meeting and announced in a statement by Saudi Press Agency, outlines the tasks of the commission as to promote transparency and combat all forms of financial and administrative corruption, follow up on the execution of orders concerning public affairs and public interest to ensure compliance, and investigate financial and administrative corruption in public works and operations. Other tasks include maintaining direct communication with the public to hear complaints and reports of instances of corruption, referring offenses concerning financial and administrative corruption to control and investigation departments, and retrieving funds and proceeds from acts of corruption with the relevant authorities. Legal experts say the approval reflects dedication to the principle of transparency in all government agencies. They said that what distinguishes the National Anti-Corruption Commission is that it is tasked with establishing open, direct channels of contact with citizens to encourage them to report any irregularities, which will help uproot this menace.
