Muhammad Al-Sharif, president of the National Anti-corruption Commission (Nazaha), has called for combined efforts to combat all forms of corruption in society. “We have to spread a spirit of transparency,” he added.
“Saudi Arabia has understood the negative social, security and economic effects of corruption long time ago at the time of King Abdul Aziz,” he said.
Addressing a ceremony organized by King Saud University’s Social Responsibility Club in association with Nazaha, Al-Sharif praised Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for launching the anti-corruption commission.
“Nazaha began its operation soon after its establishment making use of available resources,” he said. “We know our great responsibility and challenges and we are going ahead with our mission banking on the support of citizens and residents,” he added.
The KSU program was organized on the eve of the World Day to Combat Corruption. “In order to eradicate corruption, society should uphold moral and religious values and inform authorities about people involved in such illegal and immoral activities,” he pointed out.
He stressed the importance of international cooperation to fight corruption in the wake of cross border crimes. “For this purpose we have signed agreements with regional and international organizations and participate in related international conferences and other events,” he explained.
Speaking about the national strategy to combat corruption, Al-Sharif said it vindicates that all parties including the government, the private sector, educational institutions, mosques, prayer leaders and teachers should contribute in efforts to fight corruption in the country.
“Many things have to change in our practices, values and the way we do things, our social role and our upbringing of children. We have to adopt higher values that call for integrity and rejection of corrupt practices,” he said.
Al-Sharif highlighted the role of schools and universities in enlightening younger generation about the importance of integrity and fairness, through curricula and various activities.
He urged other educational institutions and organizations to follow the example of KSU in organizing special programs to fight corruption. “We have to teach our children the values of truthfulness and trustworthiness and respect public properties and facilities.”
Al-Sharif said punishing corrupt people was not the commission’s mandate. “Our duty is to expose corruption by collecting evidence and pass files of corrupt people to relevant authorities for action.”
He disclosed plans to institute an integrity prize, which will be given to the best employee, who performs his duties sincerely.
A meeting will be held in Riyadh today to mark the World Anti-Corruption Day, which will be addressed by Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman, chairman of the board of directors of Saafah Foundation, and Al-Sharif. Other speakers will be Abdullah Al-Abdul Qader, vice president of Nazaha to protect integrity, and Osama Al-Rabeeah, vice president to fight corruption, Jamaan Raqush, vice president of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Saleh Al-Shenaify of KSU and Abdul Ghaffar Al-Duke of Naif University.
Nazaha seeks society’s help
