Okaz OKAZ published a report on Oct. 1 about four employees at local municipal offices found guilty of treachery. I was not surprised to read about those people who unlawfully seized pieces of public land and built fences around them during one of the holiest and most divine occasions for Muslims: Eid Al-Adha. It shows that those criminals and others alike don't have a religious conscience that discourages them from theft. This is why Caliph Othman Bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Allah sends his sultans to threaten people who do not fear Allah's words in the Qur'an." But what struck me the most about this incident is the fact that this was not the first time it happened or the authorities exposed them. Yet these people won't stop trying to steal what does not belong to them perhaps because the punishment they received was not equivalent to the size of their crime. In reality they might be getting the wrong message that encouraged them and others to keep trying as long as the chances of them being caught are low. And if they get caught the consequences are bearable. Even their names and identities are protected from defamation, which is the least form of punishment they deserve. Our "sultans" are our supervisory bodies. We heard enough of their justifications. Just two months ago, the General Auditing Bureau submitted a report to the Shoura Council complaining bitterly about its inability to perform its duties due to human and technical deficiencies. The report also mentioned that levels of job loyalty are extremely low. Despite this, the bureau approved its third strategic plan for the next five years meaning that it is willing to continue with a failed track record that lasted more than half a century. According to a report Al-Watan newspaper published some time ago, the Anti-Corruption Commission has also announced its inability to function. Who can believe that the commission's bylaws have not been approved yet since its establishment five years ago? How do these officials think? Is it enough just to wait for approval to happen on its own? People with authority have many decisions to make and prioritize; do they wait for approvals or not? If they truly believed that what they are doing is important and a priority, they should chase the approval process and continue to improve their performance. It is not enough for the commission to report its technical deficiencies. Leaders with initiatives are the most successful managers. A competent manager must do his job with dedication otherwise he will fall short. Incompetence sends another wrong message to defaulters and if inadequacy persists for years then corruption lingers. Because incompetence gives false impressions to combating corruption disguised as bureaucracy and routine.
