08 February 2011
While Saudi-based critics continue to say that any Egypt-like revolution in Saudi Arabia is quite improbable, there are a few issues to consider Saudi Arabian authorities are no doubt watching the events unfolding in Egypt with great interest and wondering what it means for the Kingdom's ruling family.
While the Kingdom has done well to stamp out fundamental elements in the country and thwarted a number of attempts to weaken its economic and political infrastructure, Saudi Arabia's worst nightmare is a grassroots uprising, similar to the scenes seen in Tahrir Square in Cairo.
While a wave of major protests across the Kingdom seem like a remote possibility, Saudi Arabian authorities must have shuddered when a man in the south-western region of Jizan set himself on fire, imitating the suicide of a street vendor in Tunisia that ultimately led to the departure of Ben Ali, the President of Tunisia.
Incidentally, the Saudi government gave refuge to Ben Ali and his family, a move that seemed widely out of synch against public opinion in and out of Saudi Arabia. Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has also been unequivocal in his support of embattled President Hosni Mubarak, criticising those "tampering" with Egypt's security and stability - another move which is running contrary to sentiment on the fabled 'Arab streets'.
While Saudi-based critics continue to say that any Egypt-like revolution in Saudi Arabia is quite improbable, there are a few issues to consider:
The Saudi King is said to be anywhere between 86 to 90 years old and recently underwent surgery in the United States.
Next in line Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz is also 80-plus years old, and has had his share of ailments over the past year, compelling the Saudi King to name the Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, 76, as second deputy prime minister.
Prince Nayef, who is also the Interior Minister, is said to be far more conservative than both the King and the Crown Prince, and if he ever ascends the throne, the country could move even more slowly on much needed reforms.
Can the Saudi monarchy continue to paper over social and political reforms with a wall of petro-dollars?
AlifArabia believes the Kingdom's authorities can take the following measures to avoid their 'Egypt' moment:
1 Finalise Mortgage Law
Unless they have the name Al Saud at the end of their names, legions of young Saudis are unable to finance their first homes. The mortgage law - a sensitive document given its economic impact on the country and with various stakeholders jostling for advantage behind the scenes -- has been delayed for years and has hampered a sense of ownership among the Saudi population in their own country.
"Home ownership promotes wealth accumulation for lower-income families by enabling them to more-readily build wealth through home equity growth," notes a Saudi American Bank in a report. "Home ownership provides the best and most secure collateral against market fluctuations and other borrowing, and yields a positive rate of return in the long run. By creating stakeholders who demand or make additional investments in their communities--in schools, parks and shops, for example--home ownership can also encourage a better quality of life."
2 Greater accountability
Every year the people of Jeddah watch in exasperation as their streets are flooded during the rainy season, wondering why a G20 nation with billions in reserves and investments can not resolve this infrastructure issue.
Every year, the King and the Governor of Makkah set up committees to investigate the issue. But there is never any accountability.
3 Ease visa requirements
For a country that seems closed to the rest of the world _ Saudi Arabia entertains 10 million tourists a year in primarily religious tourism. The country certainly seems to have the infrastructure to manage tourist flows, if only it can attain the political will to entertain leisure and business tourism. Nobody is suggesting that Saudi Arabia should open bars and discotheques to attract tourists, but easier and faster access to businesses and leisure visas could help the world understand Saudi Arabia better, and vice versa.
4 More KAUSTs around the country
If it can happen in KAUST _ or the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - there is no reason why it can't happen elsewhere in the Kingdom.
Located near the Red Sea, the campus is an oasis of global research and best practices in science and technology, offering a view of King Abdullah's vision of an enlightened and highly educated Saudi society.
Why can't such institutes be rolled out sooner, where both Saudi men and women, can learn from one of the best faculties money can buy?
5 Keep the religious police in check
The dreaded muttawa, or religious police, has struck terror in the hearts of Saudis, and serve as a constant reminder that Bing Brother government is watching them all the time. This is an issue where the conservative elements within the House of Saud refuse to give an inch. But deploying the full weight of its police on its citizens, could backfire -- the Saudis can just ask their latest exile from Tunisia for confirmation.
6 Allow for social liberties
A protestor at the Tahrir Square in Cairo said recently: 'If you keep boiling the water, you will get steam."
The Saudi population -- young, restless, more educated than the previous generation and exposed to social media -- wants outlets to express themselves.
With few meaningful entertainment and social liberties available to average Saudis, the Kingdom is not allowing the young men and women to let off steam.
Cinemas, and other entertainment outlets, could help Saudis not feel so repressed about their situation and indulge in some form of escapism.
The government does allow Saudis to access facebook.com, youtube.com and twitter.com, -- activities people can happily indulge in the privacy of their homes - but the communal act of watching a movie in a cinema, may be a small concession by the conservatives.
While the Saudis have dragged their feet on political and social reforms, they have stepped on the accelerator when it comes to pumping fund into the country's infrastructure, energy and real estate sectors. Close to $700-billion of projects are under way in the Kingdom, according to Zawya Projects Monitor, but such concrete measures need to run parallel with a range of soft measures to keep the protestors at bay.
Clearly, there is much to do in Saudi Arabia. What are your top reform picks for Saudi Arabia? Post your comments below.
Also read:
$700bn Saudi Project Bonanza
© AlifArabia 2011
While Saudi-based critics continue to say that any Egypt-like revolution in Saudi Arabia is quite improbable, there are a few issues to consider Saudi Arabian authorities are no doubt watching the events unfolding in Egypt with great interest and wondering what it means for the Kingdom's ruling family.
While the Kingdom has done well to stamp out fundamental elements in the country and thwarted a number of attempts to weaken its economic and political infrastructure, Saudi Arabia's worst nightmare is a grassroots uprising, similar to the scenes seen in Tahrir Square in Cairo.
While a wave of major protests across the Kingdom seem like a remote possibility, Saudi Arabian authorities must have shuddered when a man in the south-western region of Jizan set himself on fire, imitating the suicide of a street vendor in Tunisia that ultimately led to the departure of Ben Ali, the President of Tunisia.
Incidentally, the Saudi government gave refuge to Ben Ali and his family, a move that seemed widely out of synch against public opinion in and out of Saudi Arabia. Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has also been unequivocal in his support of embattled President Hosni Mubarak, criticising those "tampering" with Egypt's security and stability - another move which is running contrary to sentiment on the fabled 'Arab streets'.
While Saudi-based critics continue to say that any Egypt-like revolution in Saudi Arabia is quite improbable, there are a few issues to consider:
The Saudi King is said to be anywhere between 86 to 90 years old and recently underwent surgery in the United States.
Next in line Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz is also 80-plus years old, and has had his share of ailments over the past year, compelling the Saudi King to name the Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, 76, as second deputy prime minister.
Prince Nayef, who is also the Interior Minister, is said to be far more conservative than both the King and the Crown Prince, and if he ever ascends the throne, the country could move even more slowly on much needed reforms.
Can the Saudi monarchy continue to paper over social and political reforms with a wall of petro-dollars?
AlifArabia believes the Kingdom's authorities can take the following measures to avoid their 'Egypt' moment:
1 Finalise Mortgage Law
Unless they have the name Al Saud at the end of their names, legions of young Saudis are unable to finance their first homes. The mortgage law - a sensitive document given its economic impact on the country and with various stakeholders jostling for advantage behind the scenes -- has been delayed for years and has hampered a sense of ownership among the Saudi population in their own country.
"Home ownership promotes wealth accumulation for lower-income families by enabling them to more-readily build wealth through home equity growth," notes a Saudi American Bank in a report. "Home ownership provides the best and most secure collateral against market fluctuations and other borrowing, and yields a positive rate of return in the long run. By creating stakeholders who demand or make additional investments in their communities--in schools, parks and shops, for example--home ownership can also encourage a better quality of life."
2 Greater accountability
Every year the people of Jeddah watch in exasperation as their streets are flooded during the rainy season, wondering why a G20 nation with billions in reserves and investments can not resolve this infrastructure issue.
Every year, the King and the Governor of Makkah set up committees to investigate the issue. But there is never any accountability.
3 Ease visa requirements
For a country that seems closed to the rest of the world _ Saudi Arabia entertains 10 million tourists a year in primarily religious tourism. The country certainly seems to have the infrastructure to manage tourist flows, if only it can attain the political will to entertain leisure and business tourism. Nobody is suggesting that Saudi Arabia should open bars and discotheques to attract tourists, but easier and faster access to businesses and leisure visas could help the world understand Saudi Arabia better, and vice versa.
4 More KAUSTs around the country
If it can happen in KAUST _ or the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - there is no reason why it can't happen elsewhere in the Kingdom.
Located near the Red Sea, the campus is an oasis of global research and best practices in science and technology, offering a view of King Abdullah's vision of an enlightened and highly educated Saudi society.
Why can't such institutes be rolled out sooner, where both Saudi men and women, can learn from one of the best faculties money can buy?
5 Keep the religious police in check
The dreaded muttawa, or religious police, has struck terror in the hearts of Saudis, and serve as a constant reminder that Bing Brother government is watching them all the time. This is an issue where the conservative elements within the House of Saud refuse to give an inch. But deploying the full weight of its police on its citizens, could backfire -- the Saudis can just ask their latest exile from Tunisia for confirmation.
6 Allow for social liberties
A protestor at the Tahrir Square in Cairo said recently: 'If you keep boiling the water, you will get steam."
The Saudi population -- young, restless, more educated than the previous generation and exposed to social media -- wants outlets to express themselves.
With few meaningful entertainment and social liberties available to average Saudis, the Kingdom is not allowing the young men and women to let off steam.
Cinemas, and other entertainment outlets, could help Saudis not feel so repressed about their situation and indulge in some form of escapism.
The government does allow Saudis to access facebook.com, youtube.com and twitter.com, -- activities people can happily indulge in the privacy of their homes - but the communal act of watching a movie in a cinema, may be a small concession by the conservatives.
While the Saudis have dragged their feet on political and social reforms, they have stepped on the accelerator when it comes to pumping fund into the country's infrastructure, energy and real estate sectors. Close to $700-billion of projects are under way in the Kingdom, according to Zawya Projects Monitor, but such concrete measures need to run parallel with a range of soft measures to keep the protestors at bay.
Clearly, there is much to do in Saudi Arabia. What are your top reform picks for Saudi Arabia? Post your comments below.
Also read:
$700bn Saudi Project Bonanza
© AlifArabia 2011
