Speaking to Arab News, one expert said the punishments mentioned in the present law do not cope with the enormity of administrative and financial matters that currently take place in the Kingdom.

“These regulations were drafted more than 40 years ago. Of course they were suitable deterrents in those days. But the massive developments that have taken place in the Kingdom demand the doubling of these punishments,” said one expert.

The legal experts welcomed the punishment handed to people involved in the Jeddah floods, including government officials, adding that this is essential in ensuring transparency.

Naif Al-Sharief, professor of commercial law at King Abdulaziz University, said the law also insists that government officials who embezzle public money should be asked to return the money.

Those individuals who supported government officials in committing crimes will also get the same punishment as they shared the benefits.

Al-Sharief pointed out that the punishment is weak compared to the enormity of the crime that led to the Jeddah catastrophe. He urged the government to review punishments and increase the period of imprisonment from 10 to 20 years. Majed Al-Garoub, another experienced lawyer, also said the punishment for administrative corruption should be toughened.

“While supporting the government’s decision to try those employees involved in corruption according to the existing rules and regulations, I personally hope they are handed tougher punishments,” he said.

“The SR100,000 fine is nothing in our times for such big crimes,” he said, adding that the Kingdom’s remarkable growth in administration and finance demands tougher punishment for corrupt officials.

“I believe such tough punishment is required to make things better,” he added.

Hashim Kaushik, also a lawyer, said the trial of government employees involved in the Jeddah catastrophe would take place at the Court of Grievances.

He also believed that the punishment specified by the current law does not cope with the enormity of the crime. He called for revising all anti-graft rules and regulations.

The lawyers’ statements came as the Control and Investigation Board started questioning suspects in order to file charges against them before transferring their cases to court.

The board had earlier said that it would send an expert team to Jeddah for further investigation.