AL-UMMA [Archives:1998/42/Press Review]

Sanaa, weekly, 15/10/98 
(Al-Haqq Party)
Article Summary:
Corruption at the Highest Level
In a special report for the weekly, it said that State Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Mutahar Al-Saeedi, who is from Iryan-Ibb, the same village as Premier Dr. Abdul Karim Al-Iryani, is enjoying all jurisdictions while the other State Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Faisal Mahmoud Hassan, from Radhfan-Al-Dale, is practically doing nothing and does not enjoy any privilage. The latter is reportedly staying at home in protest against the recent regulations that confiscated his rights and against intervention in his duties. The rumor says that he is at odds with the prime minister.
The report noted that the issue broke out at the time when the administrative and financial reforms programs were launched. Thus, those who were supposed to fight corruption have affirmed that they were working to the contrary through their illegal practices.
The issue started with a complaint filed by cabinet cadres asking for equality in duties and rights and granting them their legal responsibilities as stipulated in the cabinet regulations. The signatories were surprised that two cabinet circulars were issued to all ministers, governors and heads of institutions not to accept memos signed by Cabinet Director Muthaib Saleh and to address all memos to the cabinet to Dr. Mutaher Al-Saeedi.
The circulars meant that 375 employees were stripped of their duties in a violation of the presidential decision regulating work at the Council of Ministers.
The Cabinet Director has refused to go to work for the past ten weeks in protest over the circulars.
The complaint called for justice and equality, noting that Dr. Mutahar Al-Saeedi is occupying 13 posts in addition to his cabinet portfolio and that he has five cars. On the other hand, Faisal Mahmoud Hassan has only one car and does not occupy any other post than his cabinet membership.
The report said that such practices, at the highest authority in the country, prove that corruption had covered all government sectors.
Hence, we, as citizens, are not surprised at the failure of all developmental projects and reform programs that are financed by loans which bind Yemen for generations to come.

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