MPs weigh in on Khatwa scandal investigation revelations

Mohammed Darwish

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Following an investigative audit by the National Audit Organisation (NAO) on the Productive Home Programme (Khatwa), patterns of corruption have come to light. Members of Parliament have praised this as a significant success for Bahraini oversight institutions.

MP Hamad AlDoy has lauded the Public Prosecution’s decision to refer three Ministry of Social Development employees to criminal trial for alleged forgery of official documents and both intentional and unintentional damage to public funds, which also referred a ministry official to the administrative authority for disciplinary action due to negligence and failure to properly supervise and follow up on work.

AlDoy acknowledged the vital role that NAO and the Public Prosecution play in exercising supervisory authority over government agencies, protecting public finances, and ensuring accountability and transparency. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, personally supported and followed up with him on matters of national concern.

HRH Prince Salman has consistently supported the strictest guidelines for transparency in his efforts to prevent the misappropriation or waste of public assets. He further stressed the need to enhance the NAO’s powers.

This would enable the organisation to better hold negligent, corrupt, and fraudulent actors within government agencies accountable. His Royal Highness emphasised that rigorous oversight by such bodies is a key modern practice adopted by countries to maintain the strength and integrity of their systems.

Commitment

Similar sentiments were expressed by MP Jalila AlSayyed, who said that the Public Prosecution’s efforts show how committed the Bahraini cabinet is to maintaining the strictest monitoring and public funds protection procedures, led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The government is resolved to hold accountable any officials who are suspected of engaging in corrupt activities, manipulating official records, fabricating documents, or neglecting their financial responsibilities to the public. AlSayyed stressed the need for more investigative operations, particularly those conducted by the NAO. 

Deficiencies

She noted that the investigative report commissioned by the Bahraini cabinet pointed out deficiencies in several government agencies, including the Social Insurance Organisation and the Ministry of Social Development. This highlights the effectiveness of such audits and the need to expand this process to cover various government agencies and topics.