New integrity commission to succeed anti-graft agency, Ombudsman Bureau

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Sunday approved the integrity, ombudsman and anti-corruption commission draft law, in a step to unify the work of oversight agencies and enhance the national integrity system.

The commission will be the legal successor of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ombudsman Bureau, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The draft law also aims at enhancing the principles of justice, accountability and performance, to achieve public welfare, guarantee commitment to national integrity principles and fight all forms of corruption.

In February last year, His Majesty King Abdullah tasked Rajai Muasher, a former deputy prime minister, with chairing a Royal commission to evaluate and follow up on the implementation of the Executive Plan of the National Integrity Charter.

The plan was endorsed by a national conference in 2013.

In a letter to Muasher upon his appointment, His Majesty described the national integrity system as “a milestone in the process of comprehensive reform which seeks to provide a better life for our proud people through boosting the democratic approach, fostering the values of justice, respecting citizens’ rights and safeguarding their freedoms”.

Under the draft law, a national commission for integrity and anti-corruption will be established to ensure that the public administration applies legislation in an integral way which achieves justice and equality, according to Petra.

The commission will be administered and supervised by a board of trustees comprising a president and six members who are known for their justice, integrity, neutrality and experience, provided they hold no other nationality but Jordanian citizenship.

The president and members will be appointed by a Royal Decree upon a recommendation from the prime minister; in addition, the commission will also have a secretary general to be appointed by a Cabinet decision upon a recommendation from its president.

The draft law also identified the types of crimes that fall under corruption such as illicit gains; economic crimes as identified in the Economic Crimes Law; abuse of public money or authority; and wasta (using personal connections to obtain favours or posts).