AMMAN — The Lower House on Wednesday endorsed the draft amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Law, preventing the commission from having the jurisdiction to detain those involved in corruption for a week, before referring them to court.
MPs started their deliberations over the bill last week, but could not conclude their debate before this session.
Among the new amendments, additional provisions were added to help the ACC protect informants and witnesses in corruption cases.
The deputies also endorsed Article 8 of the bill, which punishes those who conceal any evidence related to corruption cases from authorities, and doubled the sentence if such individuals are public servants.
Last week, the Lower House rejected a recommendation to allow the commission to open branches in the governorates.
They said there is no need for such a move as most of the alleged corruption cases can be investigated through the ACC’s Amman office.
The ACC has been trying to pass some of these amendments for two years, but had faced opposition from the government and the Lower House.
Meanwhile, MPs referred the 2014 draft income tax law to the Lower House’s investment committee giving it “urgency status”.
The Lower House also endorsed amendments to the 2014 Military Housing Fund, raising housing loans from JD7,000 to JD10,000.
During Wednesday’s session, deputies started deliberations over amendments to the Penal Code.
The lawmakers want to strengthen sentences against burglary as part of efforts to fight the rising number of robberies across the Kingdom, especially car theft.
