Saher the lost hope

Nobody will dispute about the traffic chaos in the Kingdom and the growing number of accidents that take place everyday, killing and injuring thousands. Traffic accidents claim huge human and material losses every year. As a result, the Kingdom’s traffic managers were thinking of best ways to discipline drivers on its roads and streets and cut down on the number of accidents and losses.

The Saher monitoring system was introduced to put an end to traffic chaos. It is an electronic system to apply the traffic law, similar to the radar system that was set up along the highways.

When the Saudi authorities announced launch of the Saher system, people had big hope that it would stop traffic violations and cut down on road accidents, ensuring traffic safety.

People have every right to be happy as most families in the Kingdom have lost their dears and nears as a result of road crashes. The Saher system was instrumental in reducing traffic violations and accidents to a great extent and there was demand to apply the system in all regions. At the same time, many opponents, who do not follow or value the systems, campaigned against Saher.

In my personal opinion we should install a monitoring system for each vehicle to regulate the behavior of our drivers. Although Saher has been instrumental in bringing discipline on the roads, the implementation of the system did not reach up to the expectation level, dashing people’s hopes of traffic safety. —Bakheet Alghabbash, Makkah

Overconsumption of electricity

Recently we have read reports of electricity overconsumption in the Kingdom. It is attributed to the country’s hot climate as people mostly consume electricity for air-conditioning purpose. Reports show that Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil producer, consumes 40 percent of its oil output with half of the consumption used for operating air-conditioners. This shows that the consumption will increase further in the coming years with the rise in population.

Most people prefer to visit big shopping malls where air-conditioners operate around the clock. Government departments, companies and agencies as well as private firms and homes use electricity rampantly. There are many mosques, which keep their central ACs on for several hours.

The change in lifestyle is another reason for the increased use of electricity. Modern devices such as televisions, satellite channel receivers, videos, computers, laptops, cellphones, children’s electronic games, cookers, cleaning and washing equipment need electricity to operate. ACs consume the lion’s share of electricity used at homes and offices. Electricity consumption is likely to increase because of increase in population, projects and services.

Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia is likely to consume its full oil output by 2030 and this means it will not be able to export oil. The date is not far away, just 16 years. So it is our national duty to rationalize the use of electricity and energy.

We need to conduct more awareness programs to educate people about the danger of overconsumption. We should also use alternative energy sources. New energy-saving construction systems should be introduced throughout the Kingdom. Effective measures should also be taken to reduce oil and electricity consumption. —Dr. Salah bin Fahd Al-Shalhoub, Al-Eqtasadiah

Move to divide Egypt

The vice president of Al-Daawah Al-Salafiyah, Yasser Burhami, disclosed recently about some foreign forces meddling in Egypt, pointing to Hezbollah that hosted Ayman Noor, the president of Ghad Al-Thourah party. This reminds us of a previous alliance that was formed for foreign political interference in Egypt in the form of a revolution. What was a taboo before the revolution due to national considerations has now become permissible.

Hezbollah is an Iranian propaganda organization, which is being used by Tehran for its political machinations in the Arab region. In 2007 Hezbollah was able to establish contacts with Tajammu party of Egypt and the purpose was to carry out propaganda work in the country against Saudi Arabia, in the name of fighting Wahabism. It financed a number of seminars across the country for the purpose. But Tajammu president, Dr. Rifaat Al-Saeed, stopped this program and categorically stated that he would not allow the dirty money of Hezbollah to spoil his party.

Before Arab Spring revolutions, Tehran established contacts with the failed leftist parties in Arab countries and promised to strengthen them, in the name of supporting resistance. Tehran has expanded its intelligence operation in the region with the support of Western forces to divide Arab countries on sectarian and ideological grounds. It backs demonstrations of the Muslim Brotherhood and separatist demands in Nouba, Egypt. Before Arab Spring, people had lost their confidence in their governments and now in themselves. —Dr. Mutlaq Saud Al-Motairy, Al-Riyadh

Terrorists, not protesters

The armed attacks on security forces in the eastern city of Awamiya, terrorizing civilians in the city, should be classified as terrorism, which has been incriminated by the international law and charters. It is time for us to call a spade a spade.

The security situation around us demands to confront those trying to tamper with our national security or harm our citizens. All those who dare to open fire on police and assassinate them must be considered as terrorists, especially when such actions are carried out with foreign financial and logistical support.

Security forces in Awamiya came under heavy gunfire from wanted men. Police have found a lot of weapons and live ammunition from these criminals. This shows the nature of attackers who were well prepared to kill and these people should not be described as protestors.

Thursday’s attack on police was not the first such incident taking place in Awamiya. Many similar incidents have taken place there in the past, leading to the martyrdom of many security officers. They died of gunshots from professional gunmen. Awamiya has become a hideout of terrorists and the Kingdom should deal with them with an iron fist.

These terrorist operations may not be limited to Awamiya and may spread to other parts of the country if we fail to irradiate this sleeping cell. People may be given training in Lebanon, Syria and Iran to form terrorist cells across the country. The foreign media is trying to cover these groups in the name of opposition calling for their legitimate civilian rights. — Fadhal Saad Albuainain, Al-Jazirah

Formation of govt in Lebanon

After the formation of a government in Lebanon, which has become a political miracle than a natural democratic process, we have to appreciate the efforts made by Lebanese politicians to reach this result after 10 months of intense negotiations. People may have different opinions about the government of Prime Minister Tammam Salam. Some say Lebanon has become a backyard for Syrian conflict, pointing to the recurrent terrorist blasts that take place in Beirut and other parts of the country.

The formation of the government came after Hezbollah backed down from its demands to join the Salam government and Al-Mustaqbal shelved its demand that Hezbollah withdraw its militias from Syria. The two issues were the main stumbling blocks that obstructed the formation of government for the last 10 months.

The election of the new president for the country would not be an easy one as the Maronites have said they are looking for a strong president. There is going to be a big dispute on the political identity of the new president, which will play a significant role in determining the country’s future regional and international direction and stances. — Walid Abimurshid, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat

Revolution in Ukraine

It seems that the Russians were not content with the huge chaos and destruction they created in Syria by extending all-out support to Bashar Assad’s regime to kill our brethren, especially Sunnis in the country with the support of Tehran and Hezbollah.

The Russians want to shed more blood in Ukraine and destroy the institutions and properties in the European country. Putin of Russia is now acting like Stalin of Communism and Lenin of authoritarian rule, practicing state terrorism against Ukrainians by extending support to Victor Yanukovych, who turned his face to Moscow, instead of European Union. Ukraine had received a lot of EU support as thousands of its citizens were given jobs in European countries. Remittances of these workers had contributed to strengthening the country’s economy. But Ukraine failed to realize the conditions set for becoming a EU member. Russia took the opportunity and offered $15 billion to save Ukraine’s worsening economy. But demonstrations against the government continued with US support. We had never expected such Arab Spring-style protests would take place in the heart of Europe. — Dr. Salem bin Ahmed Sahab, Al-Madinah