MoSA ramps up anti-corruption measures in cooperative societies

Following the Ministry of Interior’s announcement of dismantling a bribery network involving 19 suspects — including five cooperative union members, six commercial companies, and 14 employees and intermediaries — sources in the Ministry of Social Affairs confirmed continued efforts to combat corruption in the cooperative sector.

Officials emphasized that the Financial, Administrative, and Cooperative Affairs Sector is committed to addressing all forms of misconduct in cooperative societies.

Violations that harm financial integrity, jeopardize shareholder funds, or undermine public trust will not be tolerated. The ministry views these funds as a public trust and is determined to protect them, reports Al-Jarida daily.

The ministry has been actively correcting past mismanagement and guiding cooperative boards to adhere strictly to the law. A key part of this strategy includes implementing a fully automated system for financial and administrative oversight, which connects multiple cooperatives under a centralized digital platform.

This system enables “smart monitoring” across all cooperative operations and supports a shift toward data-driven decision-making. By the end of this month, the ministry aims to integrate all cooperative data into a central control room. This will enhance real-time tracking of sales, inventory levels, and consumer demand trends.

Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah has prioritized the enforcement of financial and administrative governance standards. Field inspection teams have been strengthened and tasked with conducting daily visits to cooperative branches and supermarkets. Their findings are regularly reported to ministry leadership for further action.

Since Dr. Al-Huwailah assumed office in May 2024, the ministry has issued 16 decisions targeting mismanagement in cooperatives.

These included dissolving 6 cooperative boards and dismissing 51 members from 10 different societies.

These actions followed investigation committee findings that confirmed financial and administrative violations, prompting swift intervention to safeguard the financial health of the cooperatives.