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On the right track

Apr 19,2017 - Last updated at Apr 19,2017

In a show of determination to combat graft in the country, the Lower House decided on Tuesday to refer three cases of suspected corruption involving three former ministers of agriculture, covering the period from 2009 to 2015, to the attorney general for follow up and prosecution.

This is an unprecedented move by parliamentarians that reinforces conviction in the country’s willingness to uproot corruption at any level.

The House acted on these cases involving former Cabinet ministers on the basis of an Audit Bureau’s report that outlined a list of suspected cases of corruption in the country.

Other cases of suspected graft were also sent to the Anti-Corruption Commission for further follow up and investigation.

Some MPs even suggested that the Audit Bureau’s report be made public so that the people could be informed of the action, or lack of it, taken in the fight against corruption.

As one lawmaker said, making the report transparent would give the public a chance to comprehend the magnitude of the crisis of corruption in the country.

What remains now is to see the measures the attorney general takes on the cases referred to him.

Equally important is to see what the Anti-Corruption Commission will do about the cases referred to it by the Lower House.

The phenomenon of corruption is not unique to Jordan, although it is relative new in this country that used to take pride in the probity of its people.

Most countries, if not all, have problems related to corruption.

In parts of the world where poverty and unemployment are high, corruption is widespread.

Even in developed countries pockets of corruption also exist, due to lax rules, lack of transparency and accountability and non-compliance with the rule of law.

It is not by accident that Scandinavian countries have the fewest cases of corruption.

Good governance, social security and a solid base for economic and social rights, accompanied by a culture that rejects it, is what it takes to get rid of corruption.

Jordan is hopefully moving in that direction by adopting the right policies and taking effective measures to that end.

 

But a lot still needs to be done, starting with addressing poverty and unemployment, and, above all, scrupulously applying the law.

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