Effectively fighting corruption

The Shoura Council recently discussed a report submitted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) on 1,018 government projects, 77.5 percent of which have been delayed.

The report concluded that patterns of administrative corruption in government agencies came in the form of idleness, nepotism, bribery, abuse of power, squandering of public funds and financial extortion.

According to Nazaha, the rate of corruption has dropped and is not more than 22 percent. However, it claims that it mainly due to the fact that citizens don’t report corrupt practices to the authorities.

I believe at the end of the end, corruption has emerged as the winner in the game. However, work of Nazaha is still in its early stages. Experts express their dissatisfaction over the modus operandi of Nazaha, as it depends solely on citizens’ complaints.

Do the Shoura Council and Nazaha know that the number of government projects has, since the inception of Nazaha, reached 8,958 valued at SR 1.1 trillion? That means Nazaha has only reviewed 11.4 percent of the total projects.

The real fight against corruption comes from within the government agencies and not through citizens’ reports. Three government departments have set example for others to follow: Ministries of Justice, Commerce and Saudi Arabian General Investment Agency (SAGIA).

— By Abdulhameed Al-Amri

Modernizing police force

The Ministry of Interior has upgraded the services of all its affiliated departments like passport, civil status, border guard and civil defense to world-class level.

However, the police force is yet to experience this ideal and rapid development process. From its appearance and job structure to administrative methods, our police force appears to be living in the past. If we compare the current practices in the police department, we would be surprised to note that it is still following decades old procedures.

The manner in which most of the police officials deal with a situation does not fit the realities of the current age. The methods are, in short, outdated.

We do not wish to defame such an important department but it is important to upgrade the department to meet the needs of the modern world.

In today’s world, the nature of crime and criminals has changed. It is important for the police department to adapt to the changing realities to better cope with any situation. Modernization of the police department is important to fight organized crimes amid the rapid expansion of cities and the influx of thousands of expatriates in the Kingdom.

— By Yusuf Al-Quwalait

Tehran’s dirty politics

Some Arab Shiite follow Iran due to sectarian reasons due to which they are forced to live in an environment of uncertainty, as they find themselves torn between national allegiance and sectarian loyalty to country that claims to be the center of the Shiites of the world.

Unfortunately, instead of showing loyalty to their countries where they live, eat and enjoy various benefits as the case with Shiites of Lebanon, Yemen and Bahrain, they lean toward Iran on the belief that it (Iran) represents the majority of Shiites and is the protector of Shiite holy sites.

Tehran’s rulers were not honest in their religious drive and used Shiism to achieve their ambitions and political goals in a bid to control Shiite areas in Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen and also tried to infiltrate into the Arabian Gulf by attracting agents and provoking Shiites in that region. It also encourages some Shiites to organize protests in the Gulf countries to delude the public opinion that they are suffering from injustice, oppression and are being denied their rights.

The Arab Shiites should realize that Tehran is not sincere with them. They are just being used to create unrest in Arab countries.

— By Abdulrahman Al-Shalash

Figures on harassment

Local media reported that the rate of (sexual) harassment in the Kingdom has reached 22 percent but many harassment cases go unreported due to the social stigma attached to such cases. Another study said some 25 percent of children in Saudi Arabia faced harassment.

Results and data of these studies were widely circulated in global media.

Though we pay respect to those who carried out the studies, but still figures have been largely exaggerated.

Many statistics coming out from different sources and circulated by media are shocking and far from the reality of Saudi society and it distorts its image in the Muslim world, which sees it as a conservative society that should be followed.

We do agree that unscrupulous elements involved in such activities should be dealt with an iron fist but organizations dealing in such issues should be careful while carrying our surveys and conducting such studies and should avoid generalizations. Such careless studies only bring a bad name to a country.

— By Abdulla Munawwar Al-Jamaili

Population control

The Ministry of Economy and Planning has submitted a proposal to the Shoura Council on family planning to curtail the growing population. The Housing Committee initially approved the document but focusing on keeping intervals (time distances) between births.

Many people negatively received this report as family planning was announced publicly for the first time.

However, birth planning differs from birth control and the society has not been provided with enough information on this important issue due to which people are confused.

In order to yield positive results, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs should launch a concerted campaign. Birth planning has major importance in family building.

— By Maha Al-Shihri