Turki Al-Dakheel Al-Riyadh newspaper THE procedure of completing government paperwork that begins with approaching a government office and dealing with it all the way through does have numerous flaws. Bureaucracy stands in the way of getting anything done. You are required to get through tons of papers, documents and signatures before you obtain the right paperwork from this government establishment or the other. If you wanted to get things done quickly, you have to meet an agent representing them or give an employee a bribe. I am sorry to say that bribery is on the rise in the Kingdom. We should not be scared and recognize this dangerous trend is happening. It is definite that bribery is on the rise. If this is not the case, then what is the point of setting up of the National Anti-Corruption Commission? Bribery is rampant because bureaucracy has become inflated. Therefore, you need not to be surprised when any one of the officials asks you how much you will give to get things done for you. According to a recent report presented at the Riyadh Economic Forum and which angered the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), nearly 68 percent of investors in the Kingdom resort to illegal practices to get things done such as giving bribes, working with agents, and employing other fraudulent means. The report, published by Arabian Business, showed about 56 percent of local investors view commercial paperwork as a hurdle to making investments. Their devious methods harm government organizations and others. Moreover, the investment environment in the Kingdom requires tighter regulation. Confronting the existing realities, drawbacks and gaps is not a negative issue but a positive one. People will know what sort of bribes are taking place as millions of riyals are exchanging hands to get even routine things done or obtaining a tender. According to a report published by the Ministry of Interior, bribery cases in the Kingdom jumped 15 percent in 2008 compared to 2007. Don't ignore those cases not registered in Riyadh and outside. Even though bribery is rampant, penal laws against it are also stringent. Officials who accept any gifts or promises in return for performing a duty will face a 10-year jail term or pay SR1 million in fines. I would like to think that such punitive measures would be a deterrent to those who consider accepting bribes or blackmail others for money to get any office procedures done. The number of such people has been on the increase. Some employees use the excuse that they are paid little to justify such acts. But this excuse is unjustifiable in the face of the law and contravenes Islamic beliefs. In short, confronting bribery cases must begin by raising awareness of the channels the public can use to inform the authorities about corruption cases. Most people don't know about these channels. If any individual becomes a victim of blackmail, he should inform the authorities about it quickly. It is impossible for any investment or development to grow in an environment where corruption is rampant.
