Government | Monday 1 June, 2015 9:24 am |

A draft law with proposals such as declaration of assets, protection of witnesses and action in corruption cases will be presented in the Shoura Council on Tuesday.
The “National Authority for Combating Corruption” draft law is being introduced by council members Nasser bin Dawood and Mowafaq Al Roubali.

Under the new draft, the head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Nazaha, will have the powers to refer corruption cases involving ministers and members of the judiciary to the king before any formal accusation is made. The move needs to be endorsed by the Higher Judicial Council and the president of the Shoura Council.

According to the articles, the new law will apply to the members of the council of ministers, governors of provinces, president and members of the Shoura Council, members of the judiciary, investigation board, prosecutors, government authorities and others.
The draft also proposes financial declaration of wives and children of men who hold public jobs. They need to declare their moveable assets such as shares, bonds and cash inside the Kingdom and outside, as well as immovable property.

The new legislation protects informants, witnesses, experts and those in employment and criminalizes anything to do with undermining their jobs and bans those convicted for five years from employment.