Muscat: Fighting corruption has topped the list of concerns for Omanis in 2015. Social media has been abuzz with the latest case brought against senior government officials over corruption by businessman Mudahir Al Ajmi.
Omanis on social media have overwhelmingly called to combat corruption in all of its forms, to activate the State Audit Institution and to pump new blood into the government by hiring more youths into important positions.
Among supporters of this call is Mohammad Al Busaid, a member of the Majlis Al Shura who says that Omani youth need to be given the chance to lead.
Sharifa Al Barami, a member of the Education Council, says that in order to fight corruption, Omanis must first diagnose the problem and then fight it with increased transparency, accountability, fairness and integrity.
Anwar Al Rawas, a political media professor at Sultan Qaboos University says that the State Audit Institution must do a better job of monitoring government transactions and projects and stop turning a blind eye to the problem.
He also added that the country’s judicial bodies and public prosecution must also act to help rectify the serious problem.
Besides fighting corruptions, Omanis also hope for developments in the education, health and tourism sectors in 2015.
Nasser Al Hatali, an economics expert said that Oman must diversify its income by bringing in more investment and boosting tourism, especially with the tumbling oil prices.
For Rashid Al Hiani, the government must boost domestic tourism for nationals and residents first. “When I come to Muscat with my family, I cannot afford to pay for a hotel so I have to drive back to my city,” he said, adding that the sky-rocketing prices of hotels must be looked at seriously.
