A RECENT study conducted by the Studies and Research Center of Prince Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, revealed the 10 most common types of corruption in government departments. According to chronological order, wasta (nepotism) topped the list, followed by favoritism, exploiting authority, bribery, trading in work visas, power misuse, forgery, embezzling of public funds, accepting commissions for government purchases contracts, blocking flow of work for personal reasons and finally, facilitating drug trafficking. As you may notice, wasta topped the list as it has become a lifestyle for us. Life cannot continue in its normal course without it. You cannot achieve anything without wasta, even if your rights are crystal clear. Each and every one of of us will resort to wasta when faced with an obstacle in a government department. We are destined to resort to wasta in all walks of life. The use of wasta means that the person will obtain his/her rights at the expense of others who do not have this privilege. Take for instance King Faisal Specialist Hospital, which was mainly established for citizens with chronic diseases. The people who had wasta nabbed all available beds in this hospital leaving no hope for medical treatment to others. This example can be used as a parameter as to what happens in other government departments.
