DOHA: Fighting corruption in public institutions in the GCC is easier said than done as tribal ties and loyalties are strong and prompt people to ignore wrongdoings, say experts.
A common instance of official corruption here is when a new director of a government department takes charge, he sacks old staff and appoints new, says a psychologist.
“This is quite common in the GCC. The director acts as though he got that position as inheritance,” said Dr Moza Al Malki.
Old staff is replaced by the new director or head of the department without any thought or taking into consideration merit and experience, she said.
There is a need to raise awareness against such practices and the government must monitor these things, she told local Arabic daily Al Arab in comments published yesterday.
Asked about a recent campaign launched by the public prosecution urging people to report suspected cases of irregularities, she said she was all for it but people shouldn’t misuse it for revenge. She said people hesitate to report suspected cases of corruption due to strong tribal and family links and loyalties. “This is typical of this region.”
Al Malki said nationals and expatiates can play an effective role of whistle-blowers in society’s fight against corruption.
Prominent lawyer, Yusuf Al Zaman, said employees on public projects can report suspected financial skullduggeries to authorities.
“The public prosecution has given all guarantees to protect the identity of the person who provides information about corruption,” he said.
“Having legislations alone to combat corruption is not enough. Society must be involved.”
According to Mohamed Al Ansari, a prominent lawyer and key member of Qatari Lawyers’ Association, Qatar has laws to fight corruption but they are not properly implemented.
For example, he said, if someone is caught for involvement in financial corruption all he is asked to do is return the money.
“People should be asked to return the money but must also be punished.
“They should be jailed That will be a deterrent,” he said, adding the law needs to be updated.
Sheikh Ahmed Al Buanain, a famous cleric, said citizens and expats should be actively involved in the fight against corruption.
The Peninsula
