Lower House continues deliberations over draft anti-money laundering law

AMMAN — Lawmakers on Wednesday continued deliberations over the draft anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing law, which proposes stricter penalties for such crimes.

During the session, the Lower House approved a number of the bill’s provisions as referred by the Parliament Legal Committee.

The rationale of the bill is to meet requirements of international standards issued by the Financial Action Task Force in the field of anti-money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation of weapons, in accordance with the results of the Kingdom's mutual assessment process, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The draft law expands the scope of those subject to the law, identifies supervisory and competent bodies in the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing domain.

It also expands the powers of the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Financing Terrorism, and defines the functions and powers of the Financial Information Unit.

Additionally, the draft introduces harsher punishment for legal persons and the confiscation of proceeds that convicted persons collect from the crimes they commit, Petra reported.

Replying to MP Omar Ayasrah’s query about launching an organised national dialogue over the laws governing political reform, Lower House Speaker Abdulmunim Oddat said that at the approach of the end of the legal term of municipal councils, the government had promised to send a bill to the House during last April, but a delay occurred.

Oddat called on the government to speed up the bill for discussion and approval.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration Tawfiq Krishan, responding to MP Ali Tarawneh enquiry about corruption in public sector appointments, invited anyone who has documents related to corrupted acts to submit their evidence, noting that appointments in the public sector are made under the umbrella of the Civil Service Bureau.

Krishan also reiterated the Kingdom’s support for Palestinians, notably Jerusalemites and Sheik Jarrah residents.