RIYADH: The Council of Ministers has approved legislation defining the structure of the Anti-Corruption Commission, focusing the crime-fighting agency on upholding transparency and combating financial and administrative fraud in government. There are also financial and moral incentives for the commission's employees and other civil servants to expose wrongdoing. Okaz/Saudi Gazette have obtained a copy of the legislation which consists of 17 articles. The first two articles stipulate that all government bodies, and companies in which the State has a 25 percent stake, fall under the jurisdiction of the commission. The articles also stipulate that the commission is linked directly to the King and is an independent financial and administrative legal entity. Its headquarters is in Riyadh and it is empowered to set up branches in various parts of the Kingdom if the need arises. In line with these two articles, it has to fulfill the goals defined in the National Strategy for the Protection of Honesty, follow up on all corruption cases and ensure the return of all embezzled and swindled State funds. The fourth and fifth articles stress that the commission should spread awareness of the principles and concepts involved in fighting corruption in the mind of the public. The commission is also tasked with representing the Kingdom at international and regional conferences and encouraging cooperation from the country's media. The fifth article defines the commission's relationship with other auditing and control bodies and emphasizes the importance of opening channels of cooperation with these bodies. Articles six to 11 refer to the commission's chairmanship and its administrative bodies. They stipulate that the president should be appointed at the rank of minister and his two deputies at the excellent rank, and their appointments should be approved by royal decree. The president has to achieve the commission's defined goals and is responsible for all its financial and administrative affairs. He also represents the commission at all private and public gatherings and has to prepare its budget and submit it directly to the King. He is also authorized to delegate some functions to his officials. The commission will consist of a number of specialized administrations including: the Administration for Protection of Honesty; Anti-Corruption Administration; Follow-Up Administration; Projects and Public Affairs Follow-Up Administration; Research and Studies Administration; Monitor, Control and Statistics Administration; International Organizations and Agreements Administration; and Enlightenment and Education Administration. Articles 13 to 17 focus on the commission's budget, which stipulates it should have an independent budget in a special account in its name at the Saudi Monetary Agency (SAMA). They also stipulate that the commission's executive ordinance has to be determined by royal decree.
