JEDDAH, 27 June — Eight years ago, the regional council law was issued dividing the Kingdom into 13 regions (amarat) with further subdivisions of 103 provinces (muhafaza). Of these provinces 43 have been categorized as Class A and the rest as Class B based on geographical, demographic and economic considerations.
The move was part of a series of political and administrative reforms launched by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd. They included the approval of the basic system of government and reinstating of a consultative body known as Majlis Al-Shoura (Consultative Council). King Fahd then instructed Prince Naif, the minister of interior, to nominate the members where each council was assigned 15 members to serve a four-year term.
Last week King Fahd issued a Royal Decree approving appointment of the new members for the regional advisory councils each made up of 15 members drawn from technocrats, academics, businessmen and local dignitaries.
Following is a summary description of how the councils function, their jurisdiction, relationship with government departments, responsibilities, remuneration and suspension of the members:
The council is chaired by the amir1 (governor) of the region with the deputy governor serving as vice chairman. In the event both the governor and his deputy are not available, the minister of interior may assign someone else to chair the meeting. The minister has the right to call the council to meet anywhere he decides.
The law governing the formation and jurisdiction of the councils has clearly defined the responsibilities of the members while confining discussions to certain areas. Article 23 of the law stipulates that the council should study the economic, social and other needs that would help in the progress and prosperity of the region. The responsibility includes defining the economic needs of the region for inclusion in the state’s development plans with such projects identified according to their priority, studying and approving urban development plans and suggesting any other activities of public interest and encouraging the local population to engage in such activities.
According to Article 25, the members should not debate any subject outside the jurisdiction outlined in the law. The article further states that any decisions taken in violation of this provision shall be considered null and void and that the minister of interior may issue a ruling nullifying any such measures taken by the council.
The council holds ordinary sessions once every three months, but the chairman may call on the members to convene an extraordinary meeting if the necessity arises for such a meeting. Once convened, the session may not be concluded unless all subjects on the agenda are discussed. Each member, including the council chairman, is paid SR2,000 for each meeting with a maximum ceiling of SR40,000 per year. Those living outside the meeting place are paid travel and accommodation allowances.
Attending the sessions is mandatory on all members. If the members cannot attend in person they can deputize someone else to sit in for them. Failing to attend two consecutive sessions without reasonable excuse would be considered enough reason for a member to lose his seat. In this case the member may not be appointed to any other council until after the elapse of two years from the date of his dismissal. Members are not allowed to attend the sessions if the subject under debate is of personal interest to the member or their guardians or trustees.
A member may resign his position and to do so he must submit a request to the minister of interior through the governor. The resignation shall not come into effect unless it is approved by the prime minister (The King) based on the recommendation of the minister of interior. Likewise, the member may not be dismissed from his position without the approval of the prime minister and the recommendation of the minister of interior.
Members are subject to penalties if found to be in breach of their duties. The penalties include written reprimand, deduction from the remuneration (in full or in part) and loss of membership. A committee of three council members conducts the investigation on the erring member. The result of the investigation and the committee’s recommendations are then put forward to the minister of interior who may decide any of the above penalties and refer the matter to the prime minister if the penalty includes dropping the member from the council.
The chairman of the council should notify the ministries and government departments of any decisions relevant to these departments. The government department has the right not to accept the decision but in that case it must state its reasons. If the chairman is not convinced of such justification, he may refer the matter to the minister of interior who in turn will refer it to the prime minister. Each government department operating in the region must notify the regional council of the projects approved for the region in the state’s development plan.
