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Page added on November 12, 2015
Saudi Arabia’s manifesto for change in the face of rumours of coup plots
In rare public statement, advisers to all-powerful Prince Mohammed bin Salman tell Telegraph of plans for opening up country’s economy and society
Saudi Arabia has issued a manifesto for change in the face of rumours of coup plots and international pressure, ranging from economic reform to the role of women and allowing human rights groups into the country.
At a time when the country’s internal politics are under more scrutiny than at any time for decades, close advisers to the new King Salman and his powerful son have taken the unprecedented step of outlining a detailed programme of its future government to The Telegraph.
It amounts to a Thatcherite programme of budget cuts, increasing the role of the private sector, and reforms to the way the kingdom is governed.
It obliquely acknowledges that radical changes in the royal family since the king acceded to the throne in January, including the sidelining of a generation of older princes and the former heir to the throne, have met with opposition. There have been claims outside the country that disgruntled princes are attempting to mount a coup to replace the king with one of his brothers.
But the statement of principles shown to the Telegraph says that the way the country has been run since its founding a century ago must give way to “youth”. “These resolute and decisive changes may have annoyed some people but it does not amount to a crisis,” it says.
“The media is talking about a crisis within the royal family but they forget to talk to the Saudi people who are thirsty for change and economic reform.
“People want a ‘remake’ of the Kingdom on new foundations that will make it a major economic power, and this will not happen without a shake-up.”
It also makes a rare acknowledgement that the Saudi authorities are themselves in part to blame for the country’s poor international image, particularly over the issue of women’s rights.
“The Saudi women issue has become a global issue of public opinion and it seems that we have lost a lot in this case (in terms of public opinion),” it says. “(But this) was fair, because we did not improve the way we managed that issue.”
In what would be a major step forward, it says the solution is to “open the doors of the kingdom to international committees and human rights organizations”.
The reform proposals spring from the dramatic political changes in Saudi Arabia since the death of King Abdullah in January. He had been king since 2005, but had already been effectively running the country for a decade before that, since his brother and predecessor King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke.
Since 1953, the country has been ruled by the sons of the modern kingdom’s founder, King Abdulaziz by his numerous different wives. The brothers have succeeded each other one by one, with authority for different branches of government spread between different sons and their immediate families.
Despite his reputation as a conservative, King Salman moved quickly to change this. The next brother in line, Prince Muqrin, who automatically became Crown Prince on King Abdullah’s death, was replaced in April by King Salman’s full nephew, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, moving the line of succession to the next generation.
King Salman’s own favoured younger son Prince Mohammed bin Salman became deputy Crown Prince, head of the royal court and defence minister, and has since moved to assert his authority over such a wide brief that at the age of 30 he is now seen as one of the Middle East’s most powerful men. He has negotiated directly with President Vladimir Putin over the future of Syria, for example.
Other princes who held ministerial rank have been replaced with career civil servants. Of the numerous new cabinet appointments, not one has been to a member of the royal family, and many ministers now have PhDs and other degrees from western universities.
The lengthy statement given to The Telegraph in response to rumours of opposition was prepared by members of the royal court and of the economic council, which was created by Prince Mohammed bin Salman and is overseen by him.
It addresses full-on the longstanding criticism of Saudi Arabia’s internal governance that it relies too much on oil revenues to provide its citizens with low-grade jobs in the bureaucracy.
The advisers say that 80-85 per cent of government income is provided by oil revenues, describing this as a “big dilemma” that has proved hard to tackle because the high price of oil created a form of “anaesthesia”.
They estimate that more than 30 per cent of the budget is wasted. With revenues under pressure as the price of oil has halved since June last year, for the first time officials are talking about borrowing money and even imposing taxes for the first time.
The new plan envisages cutting waste and increasing spending on infrastructure to “diversify sources of income”.
Saudi boys paint a mural depicting Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an activity for national drawings in Jeddah Photo: Reuters
The lower price had created a “window of opportunity”. Stress would now be laid on foreign investment, particularly in partnership with traditional allies like Britain, the United States and France, and particularly in the field of technology.
In some areas, the statement insists the kingdom will not change. It does not directly address questions of democratic reform or relieving what critics say has been a crackdown on human rights activists and pro-democracy campaigners since the start of the Arab Spring in 2011.
It rejects criticism – that has come from Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, among others – over its handling of protests by the minority Shia community in the east of the country in 2011-12. A Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, and his young nephew, Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, have both been sentenced to death by beheading. Ali al-Nimr was only 17 at the time of the protests.
“The al-Nimr family members pursued violence and attacks on security forces and government facilities beside terrorising civilians, hooliganism and vandalism,” the document says. “It is a clear criminal act that led to murders of police officers.
“We have all the rights to maintain safety and security of our citizens and we cannot understand the demands to make it go unpunished.”
However, it is more emollient on British concerns over its human rights record than a recent article in The Telegraph by the ambassador to London, Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, which said: “We will not be lectured to by anyone.”
The document says it “understands Britain’s position”, even if it is difficult to respond to complaints over internal Saudi affairs. It also says that on women the country should have been more open, adding the authorities have been held back by “heritage and popular tradition”.
Women still have to get permission from a “guardian” – normally a father, husband or brother – before travelling, and are not permitted to drive. They are also required to wear a headscarf in public, the only place where this a requirement apart from Iran.
But the document points to advances in education – where women now outnumber men at university – health and social care.
“We have come a long way and cannot just underestimate efforts made in the last few years in enhancing the role of women in society and give them the rights they deserve,” the document says.
If human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are given access to the country, it will mark a major change. The groups have been strongly critical of the country’s courts system, its punishments, particularly a marked rise in the number of executions this year, and its attitude to freedom of speech and political opposition.
22 Comments on "Saudi Arabia’s manifesto for change in the face of rumours of coup plots"
Sam Kiani on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 10:18 am
“But the statement of principles shown to the Telegraph says that the way the country has been run since its founding a century ago must give way to ‘youth’.” Without a complete overhaul of the governmental system, this statement only means replacing an old dictator with a young dictator, and NOTHING really changes!
David on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 10:25 am
I would not believe any Progressive change coming out of the House of Saud,unless there is the abandonement of their Wahhabi-Sunnah Philosophy of Islam which is accountable for the rise of all terror groups around the World and the massacare of Millions of Innocent people in the name of Allah…..If they are Bickering its nothing more than advancing their own personal-Interest and nothing else…The Devil does not change his Master plan for no reason and they will not….
Dr Faisal Aldamer on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 10:48 am
in a nutshell ,Saudi Arabia will continues to be thwarted by its cumbersome system from achieving socioeconomic progress if does not tackle the following 1- political development (imperative)2- its taxation system ( direct income tax) 3- unleashing the society potential (both genders) through modernization of law and roles
Dr Faisal Aldamer on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 11:05 am
David ON Thu – with respect to what you believe ,and who you are , your commit is an ethnocentric-cum-bigot. Saudi Arabia is not perfect , however I can see millions of people (non Saudis) living and thriving in the kingdom including westerners .concerning the word bickering , I think it is you and me who are doing so.
apneaman on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 11:16 am
Saudi Arabia has no citizens and never did. They have subjects. It’s almost 2016 and they have a king, who rules a kingdom where they regularly behead people in the street and crucify others. The very fact that our leaders bow and honor their royals tells you all you need to know about their democratic principles. What would be progressive is a French style revolution.
Irfan Haque on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 11:18 am
David is not right.There is no terror group because of religion.It is reaction of wrong action taken by western countries in last 200 years.Those who effected were all Muslims, not shia.Now they are reacting.There are some powers in the west who support these groups for their benefit.
If you blame Sunnah for this ,then you have not read your Bible.The fact is that by and large christian do not read bible.If they do not, they will not know what is in.
Saudia is changing and will take time.
jjhman on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 11:41 am
Nothing good is possible in the Middle East until the people there stop blaming the west for all of their troubles.
Yes, yes I know the west caused a lot of problems in the 20th century. Those problems are layered on top of the mess caused by the Ottoman empire layered on top of a culture built on conquest and a religious tradition based on the infallability of an unchanged 7th century understanding of the world.
Not A Liberal on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 12:17 pm
@apneaman
Just wait 10-15 years, kingdoms and feudalism will make a big comeback.
@ Dr. Faisal
” 3- unleashing the society potential (both genders) through modernization of law and roles”
Careful with that one buddy, destroying gender roles is squeezing the tooth paste out of the tube. Good luck getting it back in.
Abu Habib on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 1:01 pm
Change barely among Saud Family is like “old wine in new bottle”. A country should belong to entire population not only a family or single linage for centuries because it is neither Islamic nor Democratic but barbaric and satanic. The world has long been witnessing that how Islamic jurisprudence has been harshly applied upon weak but not so-called royal members though they engage in tons of vice activities locally and internationally. It is open secret. All natural resources and economic opportunities have been squarely controlled by royal members. Power sharing among citizens is certainly out of question. Irresponsibility goes on unchecked from bottom to top. Islam has long been claimed to be progressive, peaceful and humane, however Madina and Mecca being hub of Islam turned out to be totally opposite of what Islam established for humanity under Saud Family governance. The backwardness of Saudis in every field and injustice against ordinary people proves that the government of Saud family is incompetent and irresponsible but murderous.
Bob Owens on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 1:03 pm
This reminds me of the former USSR under Gorbachev who felt he could make gradual, incremental changes and everything would be OK. Then everything fell apart. A bit like the situation the USA and SA are in today.
Nazir Abid on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 3:17 pm
As you know,God sent many messengers to the Arab world to fix their bad attitude but some how these Saudi Kings are still not on right path or track,they are Dictators and power hungry,greedy…May Allah(God)take away their power and give freedom to them of that country…Amin
Stefanos Temolso on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 3:43 pm
I am sure the regime in Saudi Arabia will pay the price for all the atricities and crimes it did. The conflagration and confusion could be worse than Libya’s or Syria’s. mark my words. Almost every Arab nation will taste what it means to have war and destruction.
Drzzt on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 4:06 pm
Democracy in Saudi Arabia?
Careful what you wish for.
They will elect an Al-Qaeda party member
makati1 on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 7:53 pm
Religion is the basis of ALL of the ME ‘problems. All based on a false belief in a god and heaven that never existed. Same for the Christian and other god fearing beliefs. Nothing more than an ancient means to control power and wealth by the few while brainwashing the many.
Muslims and Jews and Christians all believe in the same god, yet go to war to make their version the only correct one. Millions die for this stupidity.
idontknowmyself on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 8:00 pm
From above:
It addresses full-on the longstanding criticism of Saudi Arabia’s internal governance that it relies too much on oil revenues to provide its citizens with low-grade jobs in the bureaucracy.
The lower price had created a “window of opportunity”. Stress would now be laid on foreign investment, particularly in partnership with traditional allies like Britain, the United States and France, and particularly in the field of technology.
They are now running of oil and have no backup plan. Their only idea they could come up with is to imitated western countries and try to become a technological country.
The human mind have reach his capacities to come up with new ideas. Similar problem all around the world.
The only real solution as this point is to move to a low energy consumption economy and bring everthing locally while we still have some enerby left.
It also mean allowing suicide, give more freedom to people so can disconnect themself from society. For example construction code should by abolish and people should be free to build a house thy way they want it where they want it. It also means stop giving health care to older people.
I doubt any of these changes will happen. The whole world will collapse at once and we are going to die very fast.
Davy on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 8:10 pm
Marketer is doing his traditional religion bashing. He hates himself for being an ex Mormon priestess. This is why he hates religion so much. I find it is those who say with certainty there is no God are the ones that are the most unsure and empty inside. This is especially true of the Makster who is also afraid of death. Being in his mid 70’s and facing an Asian collapse he must be feeling the double wammy of the emptiness of no belief, faith, and or spirituality mixed in with old age. The likelihood of no one to support him in a foreign land must be gnawing at him. What a horrible future for the Makster.
Syed Nasser on Thu, 12th Nov 2015 8:41 pm
Islam says Muslims must have high moral values and do good and survive in this world. There is no other way for them. They have to be fair and just in every dealing that they do whether it’s business or personal or any anything elase. Quran clearly states that you are not a believer if you make your live and living through ill means or disturb any being for your for self interest. It’s very hard for Muslims to live by the teaching of the holy prophet and the holy quran. Bernard Show very well stated that the worst followers of the best religion also Quran is the only holy book warns Muslims that if you do betray God’s commands & do mischief, you will first go to hell.This first applies to the rulers, leaders and the preachers in Islam.
dn32844 on Fri, 13th Nov 2015 5:49 am
Its time for Saudi youth stand up and bring down house of Al-Saud and the entire system Anglo/American created to ensure flow of oil to the West. A7th century ideology of some fossil minds won’t answer needs of 21st century minds. However biggest challenge on the way to change would be none other than Anglo/American governments, despite their democracy slogans, they are only after their own interests and not people of Saudi Arabia.
Davy on Fri, 13th Nov 2015 6:34 am
Get a grip DN. It is much more than the Anglo/American reality anymore. The US is a diminished super power in a multipolar world. This is now a global issue. You are also dead wrong on a revolution in Saudi without some preparations. Our global system will be dead in a month without Saudi oil. A revolution in Saudi will quickly spiral out of control because of unmet food and water needs. The place is an overpopulated sandbox full of young radicals. That can’t end well. That can’t end well for the global system that MUST have Saudi oil.
You will be eating your shoe leather from hunger my friend. Watch out what you wish for. I do not deny what is going on in Saudi is disgusting but what we have going on globally is mass population overshoot. You cats that preach revolution like that is going to make things better are very short sighted and uneducated. Do you not give a shit about all the innocents of the world that are going to starve when the food chain is destroyed by a revolution in a critical global node? Saudi is TOO BIG TO FAIL oil resource.
Baka on Fri, 13th Nov 2015 8:10 am
Hi, I think the country has started to bleed culminating toward a major bloody social shift from monarchy toward other middle east dictatorship (modern monarchy as is the case of Sisi in Egypt). What can street people do to pass through this hard time? there is no much option for people unless get ride of the Saood family as soon as possible ( make the changing time short and safe more innocent life)
Baka on Fri, 13th Nov 2015 8:13 am
There is a saying that dictators loose more when they start talking about changing behavior. In fact, for the Saood Family that is the beginning of the end.
JuanP on Fri, 13th Nov 2015 9:56 am
Before the oil era the KSA had a bunch of nomadic goat herders going from one oasis to another riding camels. Now, the oases have been destroyed, the nation desertified, the aquifers depleted, the ground water polluted, and the population exploded to an unsustainable level. The future of Saudi Arabia is grim.
As far as the living Saudi royal family is concerned, I hope they are all severely punished for their deeds, but I expect most will get away to their Italian villas and Uruguayan farms. Most have already died in peace after a lifetime of stealing from their own people. The truth is life isn’t fair, sometimes.