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28 March 2024

Don’t accept cash gifts: Saudi deputies warned

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By Staff

Saudi Arabia’s appointed parliament has warned its members against accepting cash presents and said any gift with a value of more than SR100,000 must be declared to the public, newspapers in the conservative Gulf Kingdom reported on Monday.

In a statement, Shura council said any member receiving a gift must explain to the council why and by whom it was offered.

“Shura members must in no way accept cash presents…persons giving other gifts to members should not have any ill intentions and such gifts, whether material or moral, must be with the known norms and occasions for which they are given.”

The statement, which coincides with an intensified fight on corruption by the world’s top oil exporter and largest Arab economy, said presents given by any person must in no way influence the decision of any Shura member within the council.

“This means such gifts must not affect the member’s impartiality, sincerity, respect of rules and preservation of the country’s interests…the one who offers the gift must also not be after personal interests or seek any services from a Shura member.”

The council stressed that any member accepting a present must declare it to all Shura members within 30 days, adding that the council must also make public any gift with a value of more than SR100,000. “It will be up to Shura speaker to decide on the means in which that gift is made public,” the statement said.