RIYADH, 11 November 2002 — The Shoura Council has sought more powers from the government in an attempt to activate itself.
“The Shoura seeks to have more powers to cope with modern developments and make it highly effective,” Council President Saleh ibn Humaid told a special Shoura session attended by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation.
“The Shoura Council represents a cornerstone in the country’s development process in the planning, organizational and supervisory aspects,” said Humaid, a former imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
He emphasized the council’s role in frankly debating all issues concerning the Kingdom and its people. “It covers political, economic, social, educational, civilian and military issues,” he pointed out.
In his address to the council, Prince Sultan commended Shoura’s “indisputable” supervisory role over state agencies. He also noted the positive recommendations presented by the consultative council to modernize systems and develop government agencies.
Prince Sultan reiterated the government’s commitment to the Shoura system, which started during the time of King Abdul Aziz. “The government will make every effort to develop and modernize administrative systems,” the prince said.
“Shoura (consultation) is a fundamental principle of the Islamic rule. It is an important system that aims at achieving justice and realizing a balance between the rights of individuals and the state,” Humaid said.
The 120-member council has only advisory powers and does not legislate, but its role has been boosted in the past few years as it passed a number of important bills in the economic, social, educational and other domains. Under Saudi law, the council’s decisions are not binding on the government, but as it works closely with the Cabinet, its decisions are normally endorsed and implemented.
In practice, the council debates bills normally proposed by government departments, sometimes introducing minor amendments and voting them into law.
The council, two-thirds of whose members hold doctorates in various fields, has contributed to reforming the justice system by passing three laws, chiefly a criminal code outlining the rights of defendants and detainees.
On the economic front, the Shoura helped open the Kingdom to foreign investments, voted to open up the telecom sector to competition, and passed two laws on insurance and the stock exchange.
The Shoura Council has generally stayed away from sensitive political issues, but has actively participated in shaping the Kingdom’s foreign policy.
Later speaking to reporters, Prince Sultan said he visited the Shoura on the directive of Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard.
Asked about the next Cabinet reshuffling, the prince said it comes under the jurisdiction of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Prince Abdullah.
