The Cabinet has approved the proposal by the President to pass the anti-corruption agenda as the National Agenda for the government on anti-corruption and order all authorities to act according to the said agenda.
Since assuming power in July 2022, the incumbent government’s key objective has been the enhancement of the governing system, eradicating corruption, re-establishing the state finance and sustainability of credits and revival of the economy.
As such, the foundation for the National Agenda for Anti-Corruption has been prepared by empowering the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023 by amalgamating the Anti-Corruption Act (Authority 26), Bribery and Corruption Commission Act No. 19 of 1994 and Assets and Liabilities Statement No. 1 of 1975 to empower the international standards and disciplines such as provisions of the United Nations Convention on Anti- Corruption and standards of the Financial Action Task Force.
Furthermore, the activities to prepare the draft bill on properties earned from crimes are in the final stage.
Therefore, in par with the report of the legal, organizational and strategic framework for anti-corruption mentioned in the International Monitory Fund’s governing judgmental evaluation’s technical assistance, the following have been recognized as main active items of the agenda on anti-corruption.
- Empowering the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023
- Development of a national anti-corruption plan for the period of 2025 – 2029 Amendment of the National Audit Act No. 19 of 2018
- Establishment of an assets statement and a conflict of interest procedure with productivity and transparency.
- Introduction of new methodologies for acting in relation to receipts earned from crimes and money laundering.
- Strengthening case investigation and case filing activities relevant to corruption. Introduction of amendments to the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 and taking other applicable measures so that the legal framework on meaningful ownership can be strengthened.
- Empowering a state procurement law ensures the transparency of the state procurement.
- Declaring all companies that receive tax relief through the Strategic Development Project Act No. 14 of 2008 and across the Board of Investment.
- Suspension of Strategic Development Projects Act No. 14 of 2008 until a clear and transparent process for evaluation of investment promotion conditions costing and proposal evaluation is declared.
- Implementation of a reformation policy of entrepreneurship that is under the government.
- Initiation of short-term anti-corruption procedures within each revenue department.
- Establishment of a new management methodology for the Employees Provident Fund.
- Amendment of laws, regulations and procedures applicable to the supervision of the finance division in the banking sector.
- Empowering the Judiciary Service Commission.
- Strengthening the right to information. (Newswire)