21 June 2016
RIYADH: Wasta, or nepotism, is the main cause of corruption in a majority of cases, says a study conducted by Nazaha (National Anti-Corruption Commission).

In the survey, wasta figured in 62.91 percent of corrupt practices involving influential officials or family members, while neglect at work takes the second place (19.36 percent), followed by bribery, embezzlement and forgery.

The survey -- Financial and Administrative Corruption in Government Agencies -- covered 1,254 persons in three regions, Riyadh, Eastern Province and Makkah.

The study aimed to measure the degree of integrity, financial and administrative corruption in government agencies services, and determine the types of corruption.

Another objective was to identify the factors that help the spread of corruption in the service sectors of government, and also the major challenges facing Saudi society. It also appraised the quality of services provided by some government sectors.

The study showed that corruption poses a major challenge to the community besides drug abuse, terrorism, housing, unemployment, and poverty.

It found that erosion of religious and moral values is also a key factor contributing to unethical practices followed by a weak regulatory regime and under-par judicial performance.

Weakness in the application of regulatory sanctions, inefficiency in the handling of administrative and financial matters, and outdated systems were the other negative factors. They were aggravated by a lack of transparency in government dealings, which caused a surge in corrupt practices.

It was found that personal experience of the victims of corruption in the public service sector was the biggest source of information in 41.5 percent of the sample survey. The other sources were information disclosed at various councils (26.2 percent), media reports (16.68 percent), Internet and social media.

The study pointed out that 39.2 percent of respondents believe that there has been a decline in the degree of corruption, whilst 19.68 percent said there was a rise, and 19.92 percent of the study sample said there has been no change.

© Arab News 2016