JEDDAH, 7 February — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, has ordered an end to lavish government spending, saying the Kingdom is facing a "suffocating" economic crisis.

In a circular issued to government departments, Prince Abdullah urged civil servants to carry out their duties responsibly and threatened to sack incompetent officials.

"We have noticed that many government bodies are making requests higher than their allocated budget allows, without any consideration for the suffocating crisis that our country is dealing with," he said in the circular published by Al-Watan Arabic daily yesterday. "Experience has taught us that overspending is a bottomless abyss," the prince said in the circular.

According to a recent article written by prominent Saudi commentator Abdullah Al-Fowzan, public spending last year exceeded the budget by SR40 billion ($10.7 billion), against a forecast expenditure of SR215 billion, despite repeated calls for restraint.

A report by Saudi American Bank (SAMBA) said Tuesday that the Kingdom’s oil-driven economy was expected to shrink by two percent in real terms this year as a result of lower revenues from crude oil sales. The report expressed concern over rising domestic government debt, estimated at SR630 billion — equal to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product (GDP).

In his circular, Prince Abdullah also urged government officials not to delay matters related to public interest. "Every official, big or small, should work hard in regard to public services and supporting the nation’s leadership," he said.

Prince Abdullah called upon the officials to demonstrate their trustworthiness. "The government is capable of replacing untrustworthy and incapable officials with those who are capable and trustworthy," he warned.

He also pointed out that, despite repeated circulars, there were still delays in completing public works, meaning that the number of complaints was constantly growing. "This shows that people have exhausted all the official channels," he said.

In a previous circular, the crown prince had said: "Most of the directives or the Royal Decrees aimed at protecting and preserving rights are not implemented immediately. Consequently, we receive a great many complaints about injustice."

Prince Abdullah said there was no place for those who show negligence in their duties in a country that implements Shariah. "There is no faith for those who do not fulfill their trust and there is no religion for those do not comply with their covenant," he said, quoting a Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Prince Abdullah urged government officials to be sincere in carrying out their responsibilities. "Responsibility is not something to boast about. It should be a burden. A believer’s heart will break if he knows he has been negligent in carrying out his responsibilities."

"I am afraid of two things that might corrupt our officials: Authority without responsibility, and words without deeds," the crown prince said.

"Today, we will point these things out and tomorrow there will be no talk, only action," he warned.

The crown prince also directed the head of the court for the Presidency of Cabinet Affairs not to forward any applications for visits or meetings if they have not reached him well in advanced of the proposed date.

He reminded government departments that they have to face problems without delay.

"They should not keep the matter close to their chests but raise it with the higher authorities at the earliest moment, requesting action within hours," he added.

Prince Abdullah said some departments raised matters for action at the last moment without giving the authorities enough time. "Such negligence will damage the country’s reputation and affect the rights of citizens," he said. "We will not accept any excuse for such negligence," he added.

He urged all officials, whatever their position, to implement what he had mentioned in the circular.