JEDDAH, 9 December 2003 — Shoura Council Chairman Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid has hailed a royal decree strengthening the 120-member consultative body and said it showed the government was serious about reforms.
In a statement following a Shoura meeting on Monday, Dr. Bin-Humaid also urged Saudis to be forthcoming with their opinions on matters close to their hearts.
The Shoura chief asked Saudis to toe a moderate line in all things and avoid acts of dissension. “Extremism will serve only the enemy and incur heavy losses to the country,” he said.
Dr. Bin-Humaid was all praise for a royal decree changing Articles 17 and 23 of the Shoura Council system. “These changes have given more powers to the council, provided greater flexibility in its performance and widened its area of influence in issues concerning citizens and the nation.”
He said the changes to the system showed the government’s resolve to push ahead with the political and administrative reforms announced in a keynote address early this year by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd. In the written address, the king also stressed the Shoura’s role in monitoring the performance of government departments and agencies.
“The changes give the Shoura clear and comprehensive powers to study final draft laws,” Dr. Bin-Humaid said. They also allow the Shoura to propose new draft laws or make changes to existing laws or take the initiative in discussing topics of concern. “This reflects the government’s renewed confidence in the Shoura while at the same time increasing the council’s responsibility,” he said.
