The Nazaha main office in Riyadh.

To catch those stealing from state coffers, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) has revealed it may ask the government to introduce legislation that would force all government officials to disclose details of their financial assets.

Abdullah Al-Abdulqader, the deputy chairman of Nazaha, said: “This is bound to uncover those who are enriching themselves illicitly.” He made the comments during a lecture on strategies to fight corruption in Qatif recently. Currently only Nazaha officials are required to reveal their financial assets.

Al-Abdulqader said that Nazaha recently completed a study with King Saud University to determine the most corrupt public and private sector bodies, and regions. “The findings will be announced later,” he said.

He said the organization cannot at this stage disclose the names of people implicated in corruption cases. “To do so is considered criminal defamation that might lead to the imposition of harsh sanctions,” he said.

He said that Nazaha rewards citizens who report corruption. The body has already rewarded financially five whistle-blowers. “Some people refused to take the reward because they considered their actions part of their national duty,” he said.

Al-Abdulqader said that Saudi Arabia has anti-corruption legislation in place that was introduced 43 years ago, but the problem has always been implementation.

He said Nazaha’s efforts would eventually reduce red tape in various government bodies by limiting human intervention and enhancing electronic procedures.

He said the rules to combat bribery would be updated to include the private sector. He added that 75 percent of the 700 projects it is currently studying have been delayed.

There are efforts under way with other Gulf states to coordinate anti-corruption efforts. He dismissed accusations that the body’s only function is to improve the image of the Kingdom.

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