Gov’t adamant on transparency in managing public money — Razzaz

AMMAN — A total of JD92 million was retrieved from corruption cases in 2019, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Omar Razzaz said on Sunday.

Speaking during a weekly televised address, the PM said that 33 cases were referred to the Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) and 20 other cases to court last year.

Since the beginning of 2020, the JIACC has dealt with cases worth JD88 million that are pending in courts in addition to cases worth JD217 million from 2019, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The prime minister reiterated that the retrieved amount will be channelled towards the Treasury and will contribute in narrowing the revenue gap resulting from the pandemic-induced economic slowdown.

He added that the “ultimate goal” of the Income and Sales Tax Department is to facilitate procedures for taxpayers and fight tax evasion.

As for the Jordan Customs Department, Razzaz said that its main objective is to facilitate procedures for “committed sides” and ensure flexible trade movement, in addition to combat smuggling and stiffen penalties on smugglers.  

The prime minister said that the government will acquaint the public with measures taken to protect public money backed with figures and relevant data in the coming days.