Cabinet approves amendments enhancing independence of anti-corruption commission

AMMAN — The Cabinet held a session headed by Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Omar Razzaz on Sunday, during which participants discussed a number of issues and decisions and approved a draft law amending the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Law of 2020, Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh said.

This step came in preparation for referring the draft law to the Lower House for approval, the minister added.

Speaking during a press conference at the Prime Ministry, Adaileh noted that the amendments on the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Law approved by the Cabinet on Sunday give the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) more financial and administrative independence to enable it to perform its duties and enhance its capabilities in pursuing corruption-related issues.

The new amendments also give the JIACC the right to conduct investigations related to money laundering crimes resulting from corruption cases and to reconcile with those who commit these crimes if they return the money they obtained, he said.

According to Adaileh, the new amendments strengthen the monitoring of “abnormal growth” in the wealth of people subject to the provisions of this law.

The minister said that the Cabinet also approved the impounded vehicles draft by-law of 2020, which aims to preserve citizens’ impounded properties as well as regulate, reconsider and clarify issues, measures and requirements related to impounded vehicles.

Inquiries have been received by the government about the activation of Defence Order No. 11, which imposes penalties on establishments whose employees or visitors do not commit to wearing masks or carry out practices that endanger the health of citizens, he said.

Adaileh highlighted that the order has been activated and that its relevant instructions have been published by the Minister of Health, as well as in the Official Gazette on May 7, 2020. The government is also publishing these instructions again through its official media platform, the minister noted.