Opposition activists warn of misguided aims in anti-corrruption plans
AP Phezzan
After the Anbati government announced that among its economic policies for the year 2010 would be to crack down on corruption and financial crime in the Anbati society, opposition groups in the country have voiced concerns that Phezzan might be ignoring real corruption.
Treasury Minister Yusef al-Yasa, who has been pushing for a stricter approach on corruption, recently proposed the creation of a dedicated anti-corruption agency. While his proposal was struck down due to what rumors say was opposition on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, the 2010 budget will see additional funds being issued to the Chief Prosecutor's Bureau for the purpose of cracking down on corruption and economic crime. In addition, the Anbati government has announced that it plans to legistlate stricter punishments for financial crime.
However, critics state that these measures neglect real corruption. Among these critics is Deputy Maryam Duwayri, the chairman of the Anbati Social Workers' Party who during a discussion in the Anbati legistlature criticized the anti-corruption legistlation on unnecessarily cracking down on the common citizen as well as Anbati microbusiness.
As Anbati opposition members rarely attack the government in their own name, anonymous commentators have been more curt. One member of the Assembly of Deputies interviewed by the Associated Press points out that President Zureiq himself as well as his family members and other members of the National Progress Party's inner circle control a significant portion of Anbati economy. "It is unlikely that any anti-corruption official would aim to prosecute them or those in cahoots with them", says the AP source in question, and points out that "as long as the Anbati government itself facilitates much of the corruption, these measures will do nothing but harm the common citizen and act as political trump cards for Zureiq". The anti-corruption measures are thus described as distractions from "the real corruption of Anbati society".
President Zureiq alone is a significant owner in the Anbati National Airlines and a number of other companies, and it is claimed by the Anbati opposition that beyond his publicly acknowledged ownerships he possesses other assets through various shell companies and proxies.
AP Phezzan
After the Anbati government announced that among its economic policies for the year 2010 would be to crack down on corruption and financial crime in the Anbati society, opposition groups in the country have voiced concerns that Phezzan might be ignoring real corruption.
Treasury Minister Yusef al-Yasa, who has been pushing for a stricter approach on corruption, recently proposed the creation of a dedicated anti-corruption agency. While his proposal was struck down due to what rumors say was opposition on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, the 2010 budget will see additional funds being issued to the Chief Prosecutor's Bureau for the purpose of cracking down on corruption and economic crime. In addition, the Anbati government has announced that it plans to legistlate stricter punishments for financial crime.
However, critics state that these measures neglect real corruption. Among these critics is Deputy Maryam Duwayri, the chairman of the Anbati Social Workers' Party who during a discussion in the Anbati legistlature criticized the anti-corruption legistlation on unnecessarily cracking down on the common citizen as well as Anbati microbusiness.
As Anbati opposition members rarely attack the government in their own name, anonymous commentators have been more curt. One member of the Assembly of Deputies interviewed by the Associated Press points out that President Zureiq himself as well as his family members and other members of the National Progress Party's inner circle control a significant portion of Anbati economy. "It is unlikely that any anti-corruption official would aim to prosecute them or those in cahoots with them", says the AP source in question, and points out that "as long as the Anbati government itself facilitates much of the corruption, these measures will do nothing but harm the common citizen and act as political trump cards for Zureiq". The anti-corruption measures are thus described as distractions from "the real corruption of Anbati society".
President Zureiq alone is a significant owner in the Anbati National Airlines and a number of other companies, and it is claimed by the Anbati opposition that beyond his publicly acknowledged ownerships he possesses other assets through various shell companies and proxies.