Al-Sumait orders govt-wide audit of misappropriated public funds, tightens oversight on debt collection

As part of government efforts to strengthen the mechanisms for collecting public debts and prevent accumulation of debts in future, Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Public Funds Cases Follow-up Committee, Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait, has directed ministries, government agencies and public bodies to submit a comprehensive inventory of misappropriated public funds within their respective entities.

In an official request, Al-Sumait called for detailed data covering three key areas.

First, entities must state the total value of the funds involved, the amounts recovered and those still outstanding, in addition to clarifying the precautionary measures taken — whether civil, criminal or administrative, reports Al-Rai daily.

Second, they must indicate whether appeals were filed against decisions to close cases, along with the outcomes of those appeals. Third, they are required to provide details on cases pending outside the country and the actions taken in that regard.

According to the approved reporting form, ministries and agencies are not required to include cases that have been definitively adjudicated, nor civil, administrative or commercial cases.

Al-Sumait stressed that all submissions must be supported by follow-up procedures and relevant documentation for each case. He set March 15 as the deadline for submissions, enabling the committee to prepare its first report of the year for presentation to the Cabinet during the first week of April, followed by a second report in the first week of October.

Meanwhile, informed sources said the Ministry of Finance is urging government bodies to accelerate the collection and settlement of outstanding debts.

The move aims to reinforce financial discipline, improve the efficiency of reducing fiscal imbalances and ensure stronger protection of public funds.