Former Iraqi lawmaker urges institutional fight against corruption

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Former Iraqi lawmaker Arif al-Hummami has called for an institutionally led, transparent anti-corruption effort backed by sustained follow-through, warning that investigators and oversight bodies are handling dozens, if not thousands, of pending cases. Hummami said project files lie at the core of corruption, pointing to inflated prices, commissions taken on contracts and technical shortcomings. He urged that all financial and administrative corruption cases leading to the waste of public resources be investigated without exception. Hummami stressed that the anti-corruption drive should not remain temporary or limited in scope, and must be carried out comprehensively. His comments come after Prime Minister Ali al-Ziyadi approved the establishment of a Supreme Anti-Corruption Council as the government's first step in addressing corruption files. According to a government statement, the council will report directly to the prime minister and coordinate among oversight, judicial and security bodies. It will also audit state tenders, pursue corruption offenders and work to recover public funds transferred abroad.