Shura blocks MP bid to expand legal scrutiny of contracts

TDT | Manama

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Shura has blocked a bid by MPs to widen legal scrutiny of government contracts, rejecting a proposal to cut the review threshold from BD300,000 to BD100,000.

The bill, debated yesterday, sought to give the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission a deeper role in reviewing deals struck by ministries and public bodies.

The aim, according to its backers in Parliament, was to rein in spending and tighten legal oversight. But that aim failed to convince the upper house, which voted unanimously to send the measure back.

Bill

Dr Adel Al Maawda, speaking for the Council’s Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee, made the case that what the bill was asking for already happens.

“Internal checks exist. External checks exist. The Finance Ministry has its manual. Contracts are reviewed. There are templates. There are rules,” he said.

He listed the Tender Board, the National Audit Office and internal legal departments as already involved.

Value

Dr Al Maawda also reminded the chamber that the Commission can, under existing rules, review contracts of any value so long as it is asked.

Lowering the bar, he warned, would simply slow things down.

“It adds weight without adding value. It ties the Commission up. It delays purchases. That risks holding up services people rely on,” he said.

Support

That line of reasoning found support.

Dr Hani Al Saati described the proposal as unnecessary, adding that Bahrain already functions as a state governed by institutions and legal order.

“We’ve got a proper system in place. What’s on offer here muddies that. The Audit Office handles finances. Each ministry checks its own contracts. This would drag the Commission into places it doesn’t need to be,” Dr Al Saati said.