King Salman of Saudi Arabia says Riyadh determined to combat corruption

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Wednesday said his government was determined to combat corruption with “justice and decisiveness” as Riyadh pushes its vision to end dependence on oil.

Saudi Arabia will work to help the private sector become a partner in developing the country’s economy, King Salman told the consultative Shura council in a televised speech.

In early November, Saudi security forces arrested several political and business elites, including princess and tycoons.

Riyadh labeled the move as a crackdown on corruption which was also seen as an opportunity to help Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tighten his grip on power in the country.

In Wednesday’s televised speech, which mostly focused on economic issues, King Salman noted that Riyadh was pushing ahead with its 2030 vision reform plan in the Kingdom’s economy to find new sources of revenue for the OPEC powerhouse.

He mentioned that there were many threats to economic development, and corruption was one of them.

“We have decided, with God’s help, to confront [corruption] with justice and decisiveness so that our country can enjoy the renaissance and development that every citizen aspires for,” King Salman said.

“Thus, our order was to form a higher committee for public corruption issues headed by the crown prince, and thanks be to God that those are a few [people],” he concluded.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany