Jordan Times
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Deputies insist on inclusion of lawmakers, judges
in financial disclosure law
AMMAN — The Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday insisted, for the second time this year, that
officials from the judiciary and legislative authorities be included in the financial disclosure
draft law, despite the Senate’s rejection.
The legislation, formulated to fight corruption in the public sector, stipulates that public
officials should announce their financial records before they take up appointed posts.
When MPs endorsed the legislation earlier this year, they added a clause stipulating the
inclusion of senators, deputies and judges in the law. But the Senate rejected the clause,
claiming it was unconstitutional.
Senators say they support implementation of the law but disagree with the mechanism of
enforcement and want the government to draft a separate financial disclosure law for lawmakers
and judges, based on the principle of separation of powers.
Deputy Zuheir Abul Ragheb (Amman, Third District), however, argued that separation of powers
does not prevent judges and lawmakers from being included in the law because they are, after
all, public officials.
Several MPs agreed with Abul Ragheb.
“Officials who know they have done nothing wrong should not be afraid to reveal what they own,”
said Deputy Mahmoud Kharabsheh (Balqa, First District).
Others expressed concern that the law would fall victim to differences between the two Houses
and thus be shelved.
“This has been one of the first demands by deputies since the beginning of the 1990s, but the
law has been delayed for many years because of differences between the two Houses. I am afraid
this might happen again,” said Deputy Abdur-Ra’uf S. Rawabdeh (Irbid, Second District), who urged
fellow MPs to agree with the Senate.
The Senate now must either reconsider and agree with the deputies, or stick to their decision,
thus paving the way for a joint session.
The fate of the draft law will be clear within a few weeks, when the Lower House’s decision is
conveyed to the Senate.
The financial disclosure, income tax and other financial laws top the government’s agenda, in
order to improve the sluggish economy.
Last year, His Majesty King Abdullah asked the government to speed up the implementation of much
needed economic reform.
Some deputies including Abdul Karim Dughmi (Mafraq District), Saad Srour (North Badia District)
and Raed Hijazin (Karak, Second District), said they were concerned that the government might use
the law against MPs.
“I am worried this law will make deputies easy prey for the government,” said Dughmi.
Under the proposed law, an entity will be created under the authority of the government, where
senior officials will reveal their financial assets.
Some deputies voiced their pessimism about the law’s ability to fight corruption in the country.
“Many people are excluded from the law. This is not the way to fight corruption,” said Deputy Raed
Qaqish (Balqa, First District).
Jordan was ranked 37th among the most corrupt nations in the world in Transparency International’s
annual survey in 2005.
Also at yesterday’s session, the Lower House rejected an amendment to the banks law, under which the
regulatory capital for banks was increased.
The government said the draft amendment was necessary to encourage banks to invest in local projects.
But the majority of MPs disagreed and opted to reject the draft law, for what they described as fear
of possible corruption and uncalculated risks by banks.
“Any mistake committed by banks in investment or because of corruption, and clients will pay the price,
not the bank’s shareholders,” said Deputy Mamdouh Abbadi (Amman, Third District), who cited the corruption
cases in the Petra and Philadelphia banks.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ziad Fariz assured deputies that all rights of bank clients
are protected.
The Lower House also introduced an amendment to the sales tax law yesterday, under which an added sales tax
on several commodities, including cement and natural gas, was scrapped.
The draft law was meant to regulate sales tax procedures on certain items and impose heavier taxes on others
like alcohol, cigarettes and telecommunication services.
Lower House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali adjourned the session until Monday.