JEDDAH: Cronyism is the top form of corruption in government, according to 54 percent of respondents in a new survey conducted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha).

Sixteen percent listed bribery, 15 percent apathy or indifference, 10 percent patronage and 5 percent embezzlement, according to a report in a local publication.

The study was based on a questionnaire distributed to a random sample of customers, employees, the business sector and civil society. This sample consisted of 6,619 people in 55 cities across the Kingdom.

The other part of the survey involved personal interviews with several people in leading administrative positions in government. The study was aimed at determining the degree of financial and administrative integrity and corruption in every individual government body and administrative region.

Arab News reported last month that the Shoura Council’s human rights committee accused the Nazaha of failing to fight corruption in the country.

The committee said that the anti-graft body has failed to retrieve stolen public money. It said that the Nazaha has only recovered two amounts over two years.