Let’s make corruption history

During the 2005 Gleneagles G8 summit, held in the U.K, there was an intensive campaign to “make poverty history”. To achieve this goal, one has to first make corruption history. All that money coming from donor countries to eradicate poverty in Third World countries is going directly into the pockets of unscrupulous government officials and politicians. Robbing aid meant for the poor should be treated as treason, and offenders should be tried accordingly and severely punished.

The recently detected VAT scam shocked the nation. The involvement of 12 corrupt businessmen along with two high-ranking officials from the Inland Revenue Department in a scam involving a staggering US $ 40 million – money stolen from government coffers - is the hot topic of conversation everywhere, including the Gulf. Forged documents were presented to the Inland Revenue Department suggesting that those involved were engaged in exports, when in fact this was not the case.

It is believed that this fraud was committed between November 15, 2002 and July 15, 2004. According to reports, eight of the 14 suspects, including the two officials, will be tried in absentia. That means that only six suspects have been arrested so far.

Patriotic citizens should treat this stolen money as money that indirectly belonged to them, and they should therefore consider themselves cheated of this money. We hope that all those involved in this scam will be, if found guilty, prosecuted and punished severely for plundering national wealth.

By S.H. Moulana, Riyadh