Public money belongs to every citizen [Archives:2006/931/Opinion]

Moneer Al-Omari
Public money is one of the most important tools for developing and activating the economy, as well as the country's source of development and progress. It is each and every one's responsibility to keep it safe and it should be utilized in a way befitting the people's general interest. Yet the case is almost the opposite and public money is subject to all sorts of robbery, stealing and waste. It is in fact the role of religious individuals and preachers to continually tell citizens that seizing public money is prohibited and not permissible in Islam.

Wherever you direct your sights, you will find that public money is subject to theft, robbery and illegal possession. It is the tendency among government officers – whatever their posts and positions – to exploit public money for their own interests. Yet it is time to say the word for government to adopt anti-corruption programs and activate the role of the Central Administration for Control and Auditing (COCA), in addition to having specialized courts to follow public money issues. Above this lies the fact that such steps should be initiated by the president, followed by government seriousness and indecisiveness in order to tackle and eradicate this disease called “corruption.” Procedures should include many aspects like enacting the law, suing those proven to be convicted, issuing regulating laws, etc. Only then will honest Yemenis support the government and stand behind it until the end.

It is time to respond to the calls of faithful national advisors and International Bank and IMF warnings in order to avoid the country's collapse, whereupon it will be difficult – much too difficult – to get it standing on its feet again. Hands should be joined to fight this cancer that progresses very quickly exploiting all life aspects. Something should be done now before it gets out of control.

Corruption has slowed the pace of development and our economy has deteriorated. Living standards have fallen remarkably; they are among the lowest worldwide, with approximately 70 percent of citizens living below the poverty line. Such circumstances serve none but those corrupt officers whose only concern is to build villas, have foreign bank accounts, fill their pockets and keep their positions as long as they can.

Another point lies in the fact that religious personalities and preachers' role completely is absent. They continue telling citizens many things they already know, overlooking primary issues such as the one at hand. Exploiting public money should much more interest citizens, especially the uneducated, who think seizing public money is not prohibited. In fact, they consider it a type of cleverness and skill. Such people should be told constantly that having public money is a great sin for which Allah will give a great torment and those corrupt practitioners should give it up now. They should know that exploiting public money is prohibited more than stealing or seizing special property or money. Public money is not someone's property – it is the possession of all Yemenis. Approximately 20 million or so will ask you about their part in it in the Hereafter, where there is no way of escape – just in case you escape punishment in life.

Moneer Al-Omari is a Yemeni writer. He is currently pursuing his Master Degree in Linguistics.
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