JEDDAH, 31 December 2002 — Chairman of the Khamis Mushayt Municipality M. Ibrahim Abu Ras said that the alleged irregularities in the municipality had occurred before he took office and, so, he could not comment on the reported misdeeds for which he was in no way responsible, Al-Madinah reported yesterday.
He also charged that what appeared in a section of the media was against the facts and damaging to the good name of the municipality and its officials.
It was reported earlier that the municipality was involved in the misappropriation of public money and that a senior official was relocated to another position because he disapproved of some illegal deals. The report also said that the Court of Grievances found the conduct of the municipality as highly irregular and therefore recommended an investigation by higher authorities.
The municipal chief added that he complained to the governor of Khamis Mushayt about the damaging reports in the media with a copy to the public relations director at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
The financial manager of the municipality sparked the controversy when he complained to higher authorities that he was transferred because he refused to sign some papers pertaining to the award of contracts which violated financial regulations.
