Saudi Arabia's "supreme committee" to investigate public corruption will open "a new era of transparency and accountability", the country's finance ministry said on Sunday.
The ministry added that the new committee, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will enhance confidence in the rule of law and improve the climate for investment in the kingdom.
The committee, established in a series of royal decrees announced late on Saturday, is the latest measure introduced by Saudi Arabia to support its drive for improved economic performance and oversight of public finances.
The orders also detailed the removal of two prominent ministers from their posts: Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, minister of national guard, and Adel bin Mohammed Faqih, minister of economy and planning.
Both men were reportedly among the dozens of Saudi government officials and businessmen detained in an anti-corruption crackdown.
Riyadh announced the arrests — which included Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the kingdom’s most prominent tycoons — shortly after the disclosure of the royal decree ordering the formation of the anti-corruption committee.
The new committee will be tasked with identifying "offences, crimes, persons and entities involved in cases of public corruption", according to the royal decree.
It will have wide-ranging powers, including "the investigation, issuance of arrest warrants, travel ban, disclosure and freezing of accounts and portfolios, tracking of funds, assets and preventing their remittance or transfer by persons and entities, whatever they might be", said the decree, which was published by the official Saudi Press Agency (Spa).
Its powers will also include the seizure of assets of individuals or entities that have been found to have taken or abused public funds.
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The committee was granted "the right to take any precautionary measures it sees fit [against those found to be corrupt], until they are referred to the investigating authorities or judicial bodies".
The strongly-worded decree said the decision was made "in view of what we have noticed of exploitation by some of the weak souls who have put their own interests above the public interest, in order to, illicitly, accrue money", without naming any individuals or entities.
The committee will have to submit a detailed report to the Saudi king on its findings, though no time frame for this report was announced.
The body's members will include the chairman of the Saudi Monitoring and Investigation Commission, chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Authority, chief of the General Audit Bureau, the attorney general and the head of State Security.
Prince Mohammed, who will lead the committee, was promoted to crown prince of Saudi Arabia on June 21. He is also first deputy prime minister and the youngest minister of defence in the world. Prince Mohammed is the architect of the country’s economic diversity plan, Vision 2030.
The majority of Saudis are young, with at least half the population under the age of 25. Like many of the country's youth — among whom Prince Mohammed is very popular — the 32-year-old is dynamic and impatient for change. He is seen as someone willing to challenge the sometimes stultifying bureaucracy.
The decrees announced late on Saturday also outlined cabinet changes, namely the key ministries of the national guard, and economy and planning. They said that Prince Miteb, son of the late Saudi King Abdullah, had been "sacked", to be replaced with Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf Al Muqren, according to Spa.
The orders also said Mr Faqih had been "relieved of his post" as minister of economy and planning, to be replaced by Mohammed bin Mazyad Al Tuwaijri.
A further royal decree announced the end of the tenure of Admiral Abdullah bin Sultan bin Mohammed Al Sultan, commander of the Saudi Naval Forces. He will be replaced by Vice Admiral Fahd bin Abdullah Al Ghifaili.
FIXTURES
New Zealand v France, second Test
Saturday, 12.35pm (UAE)
Auckland, New Zealand
South Africa v Wales
Sunday, 12.40am (UAE), San Juan, Argentina
THREE
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Poacher
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
'Cheb%20Khaled'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EArtist%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKhaled%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELabel%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBelieve%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis