Some of the bizarre phenomena happening in our society are enough to drive you crazy. A recent example is what followed the announcement of the new Saudi government last week. It was obvious that some felt disappointed going over the names to see who retained their positions and who left the Cabinet.
However, the most disappointed were the poor who must have been very frustrated to see the flood of newspaper advertisements congratulating the ministers and senior officials for winning the trust of the leadership. Millions of riyals were spent in the first few days following the announcement of the Cabinet. These mostly came from businessmen, those running after favors and government offices, all welcoming the ministers.
A quick glance at the ads will show that the majority targeted the minister of health, with the advertisers being those who do business with the ministry. These people expected the minister to ask his office manager to keep the published ads in a special file to find out whether the firms dealing with the ministry have indeed congratulated the boss.
Wouldn’t it be more useful if those who put these ads in the paper sent the money to hospitals and other charities and benevolent organizations to care for the sick and send the minister a letter?
All ministers should make a public announcement that these ads will have no influence on their work and that government officials are there to help people and do not need to be praised like this. I also hope for official intervention to put an end to these ads, which will only result in more disappointment and anger, especially among the poor.
If public servants who have barely assumed office receive such welcome and praise, they can’t be blamed if they looked down on the people and refuse to see them.
Arab News From the Local Press 10 May 2003
