I was relieved of post for flouting rules, says Al-Turki

JEDDAH: The former head of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) yesterday made candid observations about the reasons for his departure from the organization, describing himself as a “just dictator” who flouted rules that were imposed on him by the Commerce Ministry.

Speaking at a crowded reception at the JCCI’s Ismail Abudawood Hall, Saleh Al-Turki stood by his decisions as JCCI chief in light of criticisms he has received in relation to the Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF), which was postponed earlier this year.

Portraying himself as a maverick, Al-Turki said rules had been imposed for this year’s JEF and that he refused to follow them. He cited one example that during this year’s JEF a rule had been imposed to bar women journalists from covering the event.

“We had received warnings about such excesses and had agreed to follow certain regulations — but we did not,” he said to a large round of applause from the audience. “Is (the applause) because of happiness over my forced resignation or because of not following regulations?” he asked the crowd.

Al-Turki was relieved from his position at the JCCI in February after it was announced without any details that the JEF would be postponed.

The huge turnout surprised well-known media person and writer Turki Al-Dakhil, who was present at the ceremony. Al-Dakhil was impressed by the good response of participants toward Al-Turki’s answers and comments.

The event, organized by the Young Businessmen’s Forum, became lively as a result of an open dialogue between Al-Turki and audience. Al-Turki blamed the Commerce Ministry for the postponement of the JEF this year.

Some writers and reporters, including Abdullah Omar Al-Khayyat, had made veiled accusations against Al-Turki. He ridiculed those who made allegations against him for the appointment of his daughter at the chamber.

“Do you think Saleh Al-Turki is incapable of paying SR7,000 monthly to his daughter?” the businessman said, urging the media and writers to verify the facts before publishing reports and articles. His daughter Noura was appointed to the JCCI’s Department of Research before she became a researcher at an American university.