Saudi Reform #2: Hope rises for positive changes

Hope rises for positive changes Ghazanfar Ali Khan | Arab News

RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has received wide commendation from legislators, academics, statesmen and the general public for his new appointments that were announced yesterday. Reacting to the news, Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, former vice chairman of the Shoura Council, welcomed the appointments and hoped “for positive changes and better governance.” Naseef, applauding the way the selection of the new officials was done, said, “This is excellent news for one and all. Most of the new ministers and senior officials have top-level experience and now with new brooms, they will sweep clean and deliver better.” He said that he was happy with the changes in the Supreme Judicial Council because the Saudi legal system needed “rejuvenation and reforms.” He added that the system did not need temporary changes or modifications but rather positive changes as per Islamic Shariah. Mohammad Al-Zulfa, a Shoura member, also hailed the king’s vision and said, “The Kingdom is witnessing a big change which is indeed a turning point in the history of Saudi Arabia.” King Abdullah announced a large number of appointments yesterday, naming new education, justice, health and information ministers as well as chief of the Supreme Judicial Council. “We are very happy that the Supreme Judicial Council will be more active under the new leadership,” said Dr. Ibrahim Al-Quaiyid, a member of the National Human Rights Society. “All new appointments are welcomed,” said Al-Quaiyid, who has the distinction of winning the last municipal poll in Riyadh with the highest number of votes. He said that all new appointees were qualified and represented different professions. “We are indeed delighted by King Abdullah appointments,” said Al-Quaiyid. “They are the best news possible for the achievement of meaningful reforms in Saudi Arabia.” Referring to the appointment of Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah as new health minister, Dr. Salam Al-Otaibi, who works in a private clinic, said, “Al-Rabeeah has a deep commitment to securing high-quality, affordable health care for everyone in our nation. His new position confirms that the Kingdom has made health care reform a top priority for action in 2009.” Al-Rabeeah offers the expertise and the leadership needed to inspire confidence throughout the country. At the same time, Muhammad Al-Jasser, who will now head the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) at a time of global recession, is a solid choice for the governorship. “He has been a leader in financial reform and has shown a strong commitment to the cause,” said Saleh Al-Qahtani, a local businessman. “Al-Jasser has practical financial experience, which will be demonstrated in order to arrive at policy decisions that are in the citizens’ best interest,” said Al-Qahtani. On the appointment of Abdul Aziz bin Muhiyuddin Khoja as the new information and culture minister, he said that King Abdullah had made a wise choice. http://arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=119241&d=15&m=2&y=2009