PM Affirms Corruption Gravest Threat to State, Government Waging Decisive Battle to Eradicate It

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi declared on Thursday that corruption represents the gravest challenge facing the state, stressing his government's decisive battle to combat and eradicate its sources. This statement came after Al-Zaidi's meeting with Taha Hatef Al-Defaa'i, Head of the Parliamentary Integrity Committee, and its members, as relayed by the Prime Minister's office. Al-Zaidi emphasized that the state is built upon law and integrity, asserting that corruption undermines these foundations and necessitates a robust response. He called for unified efforts and enhanced cooperation between legislative and executive bodies to strengthen anti-corruption measures and effectively prosecute perpetrators. The Prime Minister also noted that inflated project cost estimations frequently initiate corruption. He affirmed the government's commitment to implementing pre and post-auditing for public contracts. These steps, grounded in the principle of prevention over cure, aim to curtail waste and protect public funds. He further highlighted the Parliamentary Integrity Committee's crucial role in supporting anti-corruption endeavors, tracking cases, and eliminating its causes. For their part, the head and members of the Parliamentary Integrity Committee reiterated their unwavering support for anti-corruption efforts and prosecuting the corrupt. They underscored the vital importance of approving the Internal Audit Authority Law, which has completed its first parliamentary reading. The committee members insisted on reviewing past government contracts suspected of corruption or involving excessive costs. They also urged state institutions to promptly respond to committee requests for essential documents and information regarding priority contracts and files.