RIYADH: In his first significant declarations since assuming his new post, Muhammad Al-Shareef, head of the newly-created Anti-Corruption Commission, has said that the body would check on public works and persons working in positions directing the use of public funds. According to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat Arabic daily, Al-Shareef told Saudi Television that the commission is drawing up a by-law on “financial protection” governing state employees and departments in charge of funds and spending. “The employee, prior to his appointment will declare his personal liquid and fixed funds,” he said. “When the employee comes to the end of his employment his possessions can be compared to those at the beginning.” The commission will have right, he said, to “bar employees from leaving the country and freeze their bank accounts”, and will follow up cases to “ensure money is returned”. Al-Shareef said that the commission's work would be “complimentary to that of other monitoring authorities” and that government bodies under its remit would be given 30 days to respond to its criticisms or inquiries. “The public will have a role to play in uncovering instances of corruption, but the commission will truck no accusations provided without evidence,” he said. “There are ideas for ways to contact the commission, such as designating a special telephone line or a website, which would allow anyone who wishes to contact it.” Concerning the perennial problem of stalled public works, Al-Shareef said the commission would conduct visits to work sites to ensure that construction developments are being carried in accordance with the standards set in contracts and according to deadline. He said the body has “a lot of goals” in its anti-corruption strategy and wants to “involve everyone in carrying them out”. “The commission must follow up with actions, inform any official body of what is expected of it and help it put in place programs and plans,” he said. “It is our duty to carry through the Royal Decrees and directives related to public interest, and conduct our work in the required fashion.”
