The State Audit Bureau has referred some 26 cases of suspected embezzlement of government funds to the Public Prosecution (PP) for investigation. This is not the first time the state audit watchdog has forwarded cases where misappropriation of government funds had been suspected. In the recent past, five cases which were referred for legal action by the Audit Bureau have been decided by the court in favour of the state. The total amount estimated to be embezzled in all these cases is estimated to be a staggering QR24m. The General Secretariat of the State Cabinet in a report released for 2007-08 states that there is active cooperation between it and the State Audit Bureau to identify cases involving alleged financial irregularities. These cases are investigated by the PP and then referred to the competent court for trial. In fact, the Bureau has set up a special wing which closely monitors the floating of tenders for public projects and their eventual award to contractors. The wing conducts extempore audits of such projects to ensure that no financial irregularities are involved in the process. The wing has conducted audits of some mega public projects which have been awarded through the tendering process and they include road, water plant and other key infrastructure ventures. Apart from this, the special wing of the State Audit Bureau has also conducted audits in a number of government ministries, departments and autonomous authorities to make sure that no financial irregularities were committed. The Peninsula

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