JEDDAH, 14 January 2004 — Interior Minister Prince Naif yesterday sought public support to fight bribery. “It is the responsibility of all to fight this disease,” he said.
Speaking to reporters after signing contracts worth SR283.36 million to implement 36 projects, Prince Naif urged contractors to keep away from corrupt practices. “I don’t think anybody would pay bribes to any official unless he was forced to do that. We have to fight bribery because if it takes root in any society it would destroy everything,” he said.
The minister urged private companies to employ more Saudis. “It’s the right of Saudis to get jobs as they deserve them more than expatriates,” he said. He said the number of expatriate workers, which has reached one-third of the country’s population, was disturbing. “They send billions of riyals in foreign remittances. It’s their right as they are paid for their services,” he said.
