Jordan Times
Thursday, July 7, 2005
Draft Anti-Corruption Law to be Given Urgency Status
By Ahmad Barakat
AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson Marwan Muasher on
Wednesday said the anti-corruption commission draft law is being prepared at the
Prime Ministry and would be referred to Parliament this month with urgency
status for deliberations.
His Majesty King Abdullah directed the government
late last month to draft a law establishing an independent commission tasked
with combating corruption and stamping out “wasta” as another measure to speed
up reform.
Muasher said the bill would make the commission an entirely independent body,
with absolute authority, to investigate corruption cases in all public and civil
society institutions.
The Kingdom's legislative, executive and judicial powers would jointly take part
in naming members of the commission, who will enjoy diplomatic immunity, and not
be dismissed for any reason, except if they “betray” their position, according
to Muasher.
He added that the draft entitles the commission to act upon complaints from
citizens.
The commission will also be a yardstick to spread awareness and prevent
corruption, said the spokesperson.
Referring to “wasta” (favouritism), a phenomenon King Abdullah highlighted in
his letter to the premier, Muasher said it would be prohibited by law, adding
that whoever asks for or provides wasta will be held accountable and legally
responsible. “I believe this will make a qualitative leap in the fight against
corruption,” Muasher noted.
He pointed out that the Kingdom ranks 37th out of 146 countries on the
Corruption Perceptions Index for 2004 of the London-based Transparency
International, an international nongovernmental organisation devoted to
combating corruption. “We aspire to be among the first 15 countries on this
scale,” the minister said.