Cabinet endorses bill merging ombudsman, anti-graft entities

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Tuesday endorsed the draft integrity and anti-corruption law that stipulates the establishment of a national centre for integrity.

Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani said the law was endorsed and referred to the Lower House of Parliament for deliberation.

As per the law, the Ombudsman Bureau and the Anti-Corruption Commission will be integrated in one entity called the national centre for integrity and anti-corruption.

Economic crimes, illegal gains and using one’s position for personal gains are some of the crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of this law, according to Momani, who is also government spokesperson.

The government is now putting the final touches on the traffic law, according to the minister.

The law, expected to be endorsed by the Cabinet next week, will stiffen penalties imposed on violators of certain traffic regulations such as crossing red lights.

Momani also noted that the Council of Ministers, in its Tuesday meeting, discussed having a unified umbrella for inspection operations on commercial establishments.

In addition, the Finance Ministry proposed floating Treasury bills to pay dues to citizens whose property the government acquired.

In addition, the Cabinet received a request to reduce the special tax on Dead Sea products, which currently stands at 25 per cent. The request seeks to encourage exports of these products.

The Cabinet also endorsed the “mandating reasons” for the Civil Service Bureau’s administrative by-law to allow the establishment of a branch in the northern region.