International

Winds of change in Saudi kingdom

By C. Raja Mohan

RIYADH April 23. Change and Saudi Arabia are not two terms that are associated with each other. But yes, reform and liberalisation are making their way into the world's most insular societies.

The pace of change might not impress many in the world. But it is real and occurring every day, perceptive observers here say.

The speed of change has definitely picked up after the dramatic developments of September 11 which has become a defining moment for the House of Saud that has ruled this very special kingdom for nearly 70 years.

It does not take long for September 11 to pop up in the conversations between visitors and their Saudi interlocutors. In their formal statements, Saudi leaders insist change was on its way before September 11.

"The business of change is as usual in the kingdom", a Saudi businessman and member of the Majlis-e-Shoora, the consultative body set up by King Fahd nearly a decade ago, said. While insisting that change was on its way even before September 11, the businessman points to the various reforms under consideration — in the economic, social and political fields.

The Government here is bringing out legislation across the board to incrementally transform the way the Saudi Kingdom does business.

The events of September 11, in which 15 of the 19 hijackers turned out to be Saudi nationals, led to intense American criticism of the perceived Saudi tolerance of religious extremism.

The external American pressure on Saudi Arabia after September 11, observers here say, has tilted the internal balance in favour of the reformers in the kingdom.

They argue that Crown Prince Abdullah has seized the moment to discipline the deeply conservative religious establishment and give more space to the reformers.

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The biggest change is in the functioning of the Majlis-e-Shoora, which has demonstrated considerable activism in the last few years with active encouragement from Crown Prince Abdullah who has emerged as the symbol of hope for those seeking change in Saudi Arabia.

The 78-year-old Crown Prince, who took charge of the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom after his half-brother King Fahd suffered a stroke, has moved slowly but surely to restore the internal political credibility of the House of Saud.

Although the concept of consultative council dates back to the founding of the Saudi kingdom itself, the Majlis-e-Shoora was constituted by King Fahd in 1992 as pressure mounted in the kingdom for change. Although King Fahd later expanded the membership of the Majlis from 60 to 90, the incremental change apparently satisfied no one.

The Crown Prince appears to have breathed new life into the Majlis by expanding its membership to 120, letting it debate more intensely policy issues and lending it a more willing ear.

Despite its mandate being limited to review and debate, a member of the Majlis told visiting Indian reporters, no legislation has come before the council and "gone out in the same form".

Analysts here say the membership of the nominated Majlis is tilted towards the modernists and reformers.

The Saudi Majlis is no Indian-style parliament; nor does it explicitly reveal the intense clash of ideas so visible in the elected Iranian Majlis. Women are not represented in the body yet. Elections to the Majlis are not on the cards; but optimists do not rule them out and expect they will take place in some form in a not too distant future.

The growing activism of the Majlis here reveals the unveiling of a new political direction in Saudi Arabia. It is an important part of the new and open national conversation about the future of the kingdom.

The loosening of the political system in the kingdom and its move towards greater inclusiveness is likely to evolve in its own national style. Change in Saudi Arabia, a prince here said "will be long-winded, low-key and occur bit-by-bit".

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Change is certainly visible in the way the media has become bolder than ever before. Representing the transformation is the coverage in the al Watan newspaper that has pushed the envelope in its coverage and set a new standard for reporting in the kingdom. Criticism of government policies is encouraged. Journalists say critical reports on the functioning of the various departments get a quick response. In giving a greater leeway to the press and letting the Majlis summon ministers before it, Crown Prince Abdullah is creating the basis for greater accountability in a kingdom where all economic and administrative activity is controlled by the princes of the House of Saud.

Accountability has been a long-standing demand of those seeking change in Saudi Arabia. For those looking at broader aspects of media openness, there is no ban on satellite dishes which bring all kinds of international channels, including MTV, to the people. The Saudi citizens also have access to the controversial Al Jazeera channel, based in Qatar that is so sharply critical of the kingdom. Accusing Al Jazzera of peddling "political pornography", a key figure here said Saudi citizens "do watch the channel but have no respect for it".

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