Strict new norms for financial disclosure for government employees in Oman

Muscat: New financial disclosure forms were issued by the State Audit Institution (SAI) for all government officials in a new decision announced by the SAI yesterday.
The new forms include details of financial disclosure for the official, spouse and children under 18 years. In an earlier form issued in 2012, the forms did not include such details, but only the financial disclosure of the government official.
Fahad Al Farsi, from the legal department at SAI, said the decision, which became effective from August 1 will include details that were not included in the earlier forms.
“The new form has to be filled electronically instead of manually as was the case with the earlier one (form). Government officials have to include all those working in the government temporarily or permanently, including Oman Council members, semi-government employees and the different government unit employees.”
Al Farsi added that as the financial disclosure was first announced in 2012, the first forms which were released during the last four years enabled the SAI to issue new forms to include these much-needed details. The decision taken by SAI stated that all government officials should state the correct details, fill the forms electronically and the send forms in a closed envelope and to the Chairman of SAI.
The new forms for financial disclosure include seven forms, including a personal details form, a spouse details form, a children under 18 details form, a real estate funds of the official and his spouse and under 18 years old children, properties worth more than OMR1,000, such as vehicles, jewellery, antiques, livestock and gemstones of the official and his spouse and under 18 years old children, stock and bonds of the official and his spouse and under 18 years old children, cash in banks or saved by the official and his spouse and under 18 years old children, board memberships in company, institutions, commission, private authorities working in sport field, local, the international or regional organisation of the official and his spouse and under 18 years old children and department money details and financial dues of the official and his spouse and under 18 years old children.
The decision to implement financial disclosure was taken in 2012 as part of the Sultanate’s responsibilities toward an agreement signed to combat corruption.