It happens all over:
From Jordan Times: Casino case and muzzling the media
By DAOUD KUTTAB
JORDAN TIMES
The Jordanian public has been mesmerized these past weeks with the casino case debate in parliament, in which senior government officials have been charged with a variety of administrative errors and crimes. The 70-page detailed report faults 33 individuals, including the prime minister, with wrongdoing. But while the parliament and country have been focused on the actions of the first Bakhit government, a much more serious strategic problem was revealed in these findings.
A close read of the report shows a dysfunctional, chaotic system surrounding the prime ministry. The detailed report of the parliamentary committee exposes a haphazard institution which lacks basic checks and balances needed for the proper functioning of a government. It is not clear whether some of the problems present during the first Bakhit government continue today.
From these interactions springs the need for serious reform in the way government functions and the continuation of media reform in order to allow the latter to be the watchdog of the government.
Much the same might be said of the media silence about the closed door meetings on Beacon Hill.
Showing posts with label Jordan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jordan. Show all posts
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
The casino government should go
Jordanians want 'parliament of shame' dissolved
(AFP)
AMMAN — About 2,000 people demonstrated across Jordan on Friday to demand the dissolution of the "parliament of shame," over a suspected corruption case involving a gambling casino.
More than 1,000 Jordanians took part in a demonstration organised by the Islamist opposition in central Amman after midday prayers, also calling for the resignation of the government and the "downfall" of parliament.
MPs on Monday failed to impeach Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit for his alleged role in a suspected graft case about a multi-million-dollar deal that his government singed with a British-based company to build a casino, between 2005 and 2007 when he first served as premier.
"The casino government should go. No to the casino parliament," read one of the banners carried by the demonstrators.
"Down with Bakhit and his gambling government. A dishonest broker cannot protect the country," they chanted.
At least three MPs have resigned in protest against the lower house's decision not to impeach Bakhit, local news reports have said.
MPs have cleared Bakhit despite a parliamentary committee report which has found the premier partially responsible.
"The people want reform and change. No immunity to the corrupt," nearly 1,000 people chanted in the southern city of Tafileh, branding the assembly a "parliament of shame."
In Karak, near Tafileh, at least 200 people demonstrated, demanding the "sacking of government and dissolution of parliament."
Police on Thursday clashed briefly with demonstrators outside parliament in central Amman before dispersing an anti-corruption protest, which called for the "imprisonment" of Bakhit over the casino issue.
Since January, Jordan has faced a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms and an end to corruption.
(AFP)
AMMAN — About 2,000 people demonstrated across Jordan on Friday to demand the dissolution of the "parliament of shame," over a suspected corruption case involving a gambling casino.
More than 1,000 Jordanians took part in a demonstration organised by the Islamist opposition in central Amman after midday prayers, also calling for the resignation of the government and the "downfall" of parliament.
MPs on Monday failed to impeach Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit for his alleged role in a suspected graft case about a multi-million-dollar deal that his government singed with a British-based company to build a casino, between 2005 and 2007 when he first served as premier.
"The casino government should go. No to the casino parliament," read one of the banners carried by the demonstrators.
"Down with Bakhit and his gambling government. A dishonest broker cannot protect the country," they chanted.
At least three MPs have resigned in protest against the lower house's decision not to impeach Bakhit, local news reports have said.
MPs have cleared Bakhit despite a parliamentary committee report which has found the premier partially responsible.
"The people want reform and change. No immunity to the corrupt," nearly 1,000 people chanted in the southern city of Tafileh, branding the assembly a "parliament of shame."
In Karak, near Tafileh, at least 200 people demonstrated, demanding the "sacking of government and dissolution of parliament."
Police on Thursday clashed briefly with demonstrators outside parliament in central Amman before dispersing an anti-corruption protest, which called for the "imprisonment" of Bakhit over the casino issue.
Since January, Jordan has faced a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms and an end to corruption.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Jordanian PM escapes corruption indictment in tight vote
Jordanian PM escapes corruption indictment in tight vote
Suha Philip Ma'ayeh
AMMAN // Jordan's parliament yesterday narrowly cleared the prime minister from involvement in a high-profile corruption case involving the licensing of a casino on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea.
Parliament voted 53 to 50 not to indict Marof Bakhit. Ten other members abstained from the impeachment vote and six did not attend the session, according to the official news agency.
On Sunday, a 10-member parliamentary committee accused the prime minister, in a 65-page report, of abuse of power and held him "morally and legally accountable" in a case that has gripped the nation for several months. Sixteen former ministers including one serving cabinet member were also implicated.
The 120-member lower house of parliament began debating the case yesterday ahead of the expected vote.
According to the constitution, parliament is the only body authorised to impeach ministers after securing two-thirds of the house's vote. The casino case dates back to 2007 when Mr Bakhit's government signed an agreement with a British Company, Oasis Holding Investment Ltd, to operate a casino in Sweimeh. The deal was to give the government up to 40 per cent of the revenue. But, under much public pressure, the agreement was put on hold.
Gambling, which is against Islamic law, is banned in Jordan unless the government approves a law that sanctions it. At the time of the agreement, a higher council of tourism in 2007 approved a decision to include gambling as a tourist profession.
But the government violated the tourism law when it did not publish the decision in the Gazette, the government's official record, said Rabie Hamzeh, an independent attorney and an advisor to the ministry of tourism. "The tourism law also specifies that there be licensing procedures for any tourist profession, but this did not take place also," Mr Hamzeh said.
The agreement was also criticised because it requires any dispute be arbitrated in the United Kingdom instead of Jordan.
"Jordanian courts have no jurisdiction over the agreement and the dispute. It should be according to the country's laws. Jordan is a sovereign country," Mr Hamzeh said.
Last week, Mr Bakhit asked for a discussion of the case to be included in an extraordinary session of parliament.
Suha Philip Ma'ayeh
AMMAN // Jordan's parliament yesterday narrowly cleared the prime minister from involvement in a high-profile corruption case involving the licensing of a casino on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea.
Parliament voted 53 to 50 not to indict Marof Bakhit. Ten other members abstained from the impeachment vote and six did not attend the session, according to the official news agency.
On Sunday, a 10-member parliamentary committee accused the prime minister, in a 65-page report, of abuse of power and held him "morally and legally accountable" in a case that has gripped the nation for several months. Sixteen former ministers including one serving cabinet member were also implicated.
The 120-member lower house of parliament began debating the case yesterday ahead of the expected vote.
According to the constitution, parliament is the only body authorised to impeach ministers after securing two-thirds of the house's vote. The casino case dates back to 2007 when Mr Bakhit's government signed an agreement with a British Company, Oasis Holding Investment Ltd, to operate a casino in Sweimeh. The deal was to give the government up to 40 per cent of the revenue. But, under much public pressure, the agreement was put on hold.
Gambling, which is against Islamic law, is banned in Jordan unless the government approves a law that sanctions it. At the time of the agreement, a higher council of tourism in 2007 approved a decision to include gambling as a tourist profession.
But the government violated the tourism law when it did not publish the decision in the Gazette, the government's official record, said Rabie Hamzeh, an independent attorney and an advisor to the ministry of tourism. "The tourism law also specifies that there be licensing procedures for any tourist profession, but this did not take place also," Mr Hamzeh said.
The agreement was also criticised because it requires any dispute be arbitrated in the United Kingdom instead of Jordan.
"Jordanian courts have no jurisdiction over the agreement and the dispute. It should be according to the country's laws. Jordan is a sovereign country," Mr Hamzeh said.
Last week, Mr Bakhit asked for a discussion of the case to be included in an extraordinary session of parliament.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Former minister defends his role in 'casino case'
Former minister defends his role in 'casino case'
By Raed Omari
AMMAN - A former tourism minister involved in the so-called casino file has denied that the deal cost the country any funds, dismissing as baseless accusations of corruption.
Osama Dabbas, who was a member of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit’s 2007 Cabinet has taken the defensive lately, supported by members of his tribe, who allege the former official is likely to be a “scapegoat” in the case.
Dabbas told The Jordan Times over phone that he decided to break his silence after MP Khalil Atiyyeh gave statements to a local website, pointing to Dabbas by name as being behind the deal, which triggered public anger as it was reported it could have cost the country hundreds of millions as a penalty for scrapping the deal after one week of signing it.
“Till the moment I left office, there was no such penalty in the agreement,” which was signed with a British company that planned to build a casino on the shores of the Dead Sea.
The government of Nader Dahabi, who succeeded Bakhit in December 2007, said that they had spared JD1.4 million by renegotiating the deal with the investor. It was reported then that the company was compensated with large plots of lands before the file was closed.
“Bakhit, in his capacity as the incumbent prime minister, has said recently that Jordan incurred nothing as a result of the deal, so why are these people talking about huge fines?” Dabbas said Saturday.
The former official said that the Cabinet on December 6 decided to suspend the casino agreement, noting “the government did that on fears that the Islamists will vote ‘nay’ for the government if it goes to the Lower House with the deal”.
When Bakhit became prime minister for the second time in February, he said the case will be among the first files to be checked in official probes of suspected corruption. He soon referred the file to the Anti-Corruption Commission before the Lower House insisted that the case was constitutionally under its jurisdiction and started an investigation all over. Weeks later, they announced that former ministers were implicated but stopped short of naming any suspect. Atiyyeh headed the investigation panel.
The world over, the same flimsy and erroneous reasons are used:
He added that there was a consensus among all ministers that the deal would contribute to enhancing the tourism sector and generate revenues to the treasury.
By Raed Omari
AMMAN - A former tourism minister involved in the so-called casino file has denied that the deal cost the country any funds, dismissing as baseless accusations of corruption.
Osama Dabbas, who was a member of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit’s 2007 Cabinet has taken the defensive lately, supported by members of his tribe, who allege the former official is likely to be a “scapegoat” in the case.
Dabbas told The Jordan Times over phone that he decided to break his silence after MP Khalil Atiyyeh gave statements to a local website, pointing to Dabbas by name as being behind the deal, which triggered public anger as it was reported it could have cost the country hundreds of millions as a penalty for scrapping the deal after one week of signing it.
“Till the moment I left office, there was no such penalty in the agreement,” which was signed with a British company that planned to build a casino on the shores of the Dead Sea.
The government of Nader Dahabi, who succeeded Bakhit in December 2007, said that they had spared JD1.4 million by renegotiating the deal with the investor. It was reported then that the company was compensated with large plots of lands before the file was closed.
“Bakhit, in his capacity as the incumbent prime minister, has said recently that Jordan incurred nothing as a result of the deal, so why are these people talking about huge fines?” Dabbas said Saturday.
The former official said that the Cabinet on December 6 decided to suspend the casino agreement, noting “the government did that on fears that the Islamists will vote ‘nay’ for the government if it goes to the Lower House with the deal”.
When Bakhit became prime minister for the second time in February, he said the case will be among the first files to be checked in official probes of suspected corruption. He soon referred the file to the Anti-Corruption Commission before the Lower House insisted that the case was constitutionally under its jurisdiction and started an investigation all over. Weeks later, they announced that former ministers were implicated but stopped short of naming any suspect. Atiyyeh headed the investigation panel.
The world over, the same flimsy and erroneous reasons are used:
He added that there was a consensus among all ministers that the deal would contribute to enhancing the tourism sector and generate revenues to the treasury.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
'Former ministers implicated in casino case'
'Former ministers implicated in casino case'
By Raed Omari
AMMAN - A parliamentary committee probing a suspected corruption case dubbed “casino file” has completed its investigation, implicating former ministers and senior officials, a veteran MP said on Wednesday.
Head of the committee, Deputy Khalil Atiyyeh (Amman, 1st District) told The Jordan Times over the phone yesterday that the panel has completed its four-week-long investigation and has referred its findings to the Lower House speaker’s office.
Atiyyeh noted that the committee had collected documented evidence and listened to testimonies of every person involved, including former ministers and senior officials, all members of the Jordan Tourism Board and the administrative team that handled the agreement.
Under the 2007 casino agreement, the government then authorised a London-based investor to build a casino on the shores of the Dead Sea, but one week after approving the agreement, the officials in charge decided to put the brakes on the deal until further notice. The government of Nader Dahabi renegotiated the agreement to avoid paying $1.4 billion in fines for annulling the agreement.
Atiyyeh noted that the panel followed strict legal standards in its investigation, explaining that every single incident related to the case, even marginal matters, was taken into consideration.
“We verified the authenticity of every single document and no conclusion was reached depending just on one single testimony.
He added that the panel came up with the conclusion that clear legal and constitutional violations were committed by senior officials when handling the agreement.
“Exploitation and misuse of public office, embezzlement, violation of the constitutional oath, hiding important documents and files, violating tender regulations and tourism laws and hindering justice are among the crimes committed in relation to the casino case,” the MP said.
To give credibility to the panel’s investigation, the lawmaker again cited Article 56 of the Constitution, which stipulates that the House is the only body authorised to look into cases involving ministers.
Moreover, Atiyyeh explained that the Higher Council for the Interpretation of the Constitution decided in 1992 to grant lawmakers the right not only to charge ministers with regard to investigations carried out by the judiciary or any other entity, but also to conduct separate investigations, gather evidence and interrogate officials.
He said that the case is now in the hands of the House speaker who will take action in line with the Constitution.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) started a probe into the case but later referred the file to the House, upon request of lawmakers, who said Parliament was the only entity authorised to impeach ministers.
Back then, the House decided to start a probe into the case from scratch, rejecting all related data collected and sent by the ACC.
By Raed Omari
AMMAN - A parliamentary committee probing a suspected corruption case dubbed “casino file” has completed its investigation, implicating former ministers and senior officials, a veteran MP said on Wednesday.
Head of the committee, Deputy Khalil Atiyyeh (Amman, 1st District) told The Jordan Times over the phone yesterday that the panel has completed its four-week-long investigation and has referred its findings to the Lower House speaker’s office.
Atiyyeh noted that the committee had collected documented evidence and listened to testimonies of every person involved, including former ministers and senior officials, all members of the Jordan Tourism Board and the administrative team that handled the agreement.
Under the 2007 casino agreement, the government then authorised a London-based investor to build a casino on the shores of the Dead Sea, but one week after approving the agreement, the officials in charge decided to put the brakes on the deal until further notice. The government of Nader Dahabi renegotiated the agreement to avoid paying $1.4 billion in fines for annulling the agreement.
Atiyyeh noted that the panel followed strict legal standards in its investigation, explaining that every single incident related to the case, even marginal matters, was taken into consideration.
“We verified the authenticity of every single document and no conclusion was reached depending just on one single testimony.
He added that the panel came up with the conclusion that clear legal and constitutional violations were committed by senior officials when handling the agreement.
“Exploitation and misuse of public office, embezzlement, violation of the constitutional oath, hiding important documents and files, violating tender regulations and tourism laws and hindering justice are among the crimes committed in relation to the casino case,” the MP said.
To give credibility to the panel’s investigation, the lawmaker again cited Article 56 of the Constitution, which stipulates that the House is the only body authorised to look into cases involving ministers.
Moreover, Atiyyeh explained that the Higher Council for the Interpretation of the Constitution decided in 1992 to grant lawmakers the right not only to charge ministers with regard to investigations carried out by the judiciary or any other entity, but also to conduct separate investigations, gather evidence and interrogate officials.
He said that the case is now in the hands of the House speaker who will take action in line with the Constitution.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) started a probe into the case but later referred the file to the House, upon request of lawmakers, who said Parliament was the only entity authorised to impeach ministers.
Back then, the House decided to start a probe into the case from scratch, rejecting all related data collected and sent by the ACC.
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