Saudi Press Roundup

A force to reckon with
We know Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman as a steadfast and firm man who does not fear anybody in the way of his faith and the country.
He is unique in his perspective and capabilities and clear in his viewpoints. He is known for taking care of his citizens’ needs.
He speaks the language of unity. He firmly believes that the truth will always prevail. All these features give King Salman special status in the hearts of his people and his nation. He also enjoys international respect and appreciation.
King Salman has been ranked as the most powerful man in the Arab world by the American “Forbes” magazine. He is one of the most influential personalities of the world. This is another proof of the status he enjoys internationally. It also proves what he has achieved a lot in the realms of development, politics and security. King Salman will always be remembered for his role in thwarting Persian designs in the region. He aborted its expansion, influence and aspirations. He revealed its sectarian politics and its cronies in the region. This has become clear in the military operations in Yemen and his strong stand over the future of Syria sans Bashar Assad, united Iraq, which is independent in its wishes and aspirations as well as stable and peaceful Egypt.
King Salman has sensed the chaos and the divide being faced by the Arab world early. He expedited his efforts to unite Arabs to face the threat. In one of his speeches at the Arab Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, he said: “The painful reality faced by a number of Arab countries, from terrorism, internal strife, blood shedding, is the inevitable result of alliance between terrorism and sectarianism. This is has led regional powers to interfere in the Arab countries to disturb peace and security of some of our countries.”
— By Ahmad Al-Jamiah, Al-Riyadh

Strengthening nationalism
Speaking at a conference held in Al-Qassim, the minister of Islamic affairs accepted the fact that the educational curriculum of the Kingdom contained material, which did not strengthen the idea of nationalism. This, according to him, has resulted in a psychological conflict among some people who cannot understand the meaning of nationalism.
He candidly pointed out that those affiliated with “Islamic affairs” deliberately tried to keep the idea of the nationalism away.
I do not think that this problem is hidden from anybody. The idea of nationalism was not acceptable to some because it conflicted with the idea of an imaginary nation, which comprised all Muslims across the world. Some of the shortcomings in the educational curriculum were done away following the incident of 9/11 and the terrorist attacks carried out by Al-Qaeda inside the country. But the problem still existed because what was done was mere correction of some of the previous mistakes, without dealing with the question of basic training, which was important for the younger generation.
Today we are facing a terrifying reality in the Arab world because the idea of national affiliation or identity was given less importance than the idea of belongingness with a sect, party or tribe. This is a clear threat to the idea of nationalism in all stable Arab countries; on the top of them is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is the responsibility of the Education Ministry to revisit its projects from this aspect. This is required particularly at a time when Sunni and Shiite terrorist organizations are trying to hack young minds to convert them into poisoned daggers against their nations and families.
— By Khalaf Al-Harbi, Okaz

Trend of reckless driving
The increasing number of traffic accidents should be taken very seriously. In order to control the situation, we need to take into all aspects of the problem. Parents are also responsible for their sons’ actions on streets. They also need to check their driving style and take steps to educate them before it’s too late.
The number of cars on Saudi roads appears to be increasing by the minute. Despite introduction of various systems, the trend of reckless driving does not seem to be declining. The Saudi market is open to all sorts of car agents who are flooding the market with different models of cars.
Some areas have been turned into dumping grounds for cars. Unfortunately, not even one year passes a new shape or model enters the market. Those who cannot afford to buy new cars have the option of easy installments.
Our youth drive cars very recklessly in total disregard for the law and without showing any respect to the pedestrians. There are special spots where youth perform dangerous stunts like drifting etc. Even while driving on roads, they behave very rudely by playing music loudly and using mobile while driving.
We read about road accidents almost on a daily basis but we don’t pay much attention and don’t learn anything from others. We also see unfit vehicles on roads mostly owned by expatriates. They don’t have any permit or system for the safety standard of the vehicle. I appreciate ongoing efforts to streamline and regulate traffic in the Kingdom. These efforts need public support. We need to work together to make our roads safer. It is also necessary that the roads should be repaired to ensure safety of vehicles and people.
— By Suleiman Al-Eidi, Al-Watan

Promoting SMEs
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are considered a vital sector, which plays fundamental role in creating jobs, pushing the wheel of economic development and increasing the movement of international trade. The SMEs also play a major role in the global economic development. That is why the governments of various developed countries have started creating awareness about the importance of the SMEs. They provide people with job opportunities. Many governments around the world have started supporting these projects by formulating policies, rules and regulations to ensure the growth of the SMEs. These business ventures usually face different problems than those faced by bigger enterprises and industries.
The target of the Kingdom’s 10th development plan is to create 1.5 million jobs. Tens of decisions were taken in the past by the government to end unemployment. This needed seriousness; follow up, accountability and introspection to make them a reality.
The increase in unemployment over the years is due to several reasons such as a lack of seriousness in creating jobs, discouragement of internal and external investments, and indifference of officials, domination of centralism and bureaucracy; and political condition of the region. This should have been dealt in advance. Therefore, it is necessary for officials to work seriously so that the commission, which has been set up to regulate and promote small and medium enterprises can effectively achieve its goal.
The establishment of an independent authority for SMEs would contribute to the solutions of lots of problems.
— By Hussain Abu Rashid, Al-Madinah

Inordinate delays
Railway networks play a huge role in the development of a country. It helps boost economic activities in a country. In the Kingdom, the railway network that connects Riyadh with the eastern region of the Kingdom has also played an important role in the uplift of those parts.
Launched in the early 1950s, this single project has outshone every other development project that has been launched since then.
The railway has strengthened the development process in our country through transporting passengers and goods between the capital of the country and important Dammam port on the bank of the Arabian Gulf.
This railway’s establishment was nothing short of a miracle in view of the present day’s standards where lots of projects get obstructed despite availability of all sorts of material resources. The work on the railway project had started in October 1947 and it was inaugurated in October 1951.
The financing of the project was a major problem at that time. The import of necessary items for the railway project was another problem. Similarly, import of engines and experienced manpower to operate the train and provide training to local workers were all major issues. Despite all this, the project was completed in record time, unlike the slow pace of development projects currently underway in our major cities across the Kingdom. One of the bridges is still under construction in one of the cities of the Kingdom. The bridge project was started five years ago.
This is what is being said about Al-Haramain Train project about which we started reading a long time back. The project has hit delays and it is yet to be completed.
A few days ago, a railway official said that the Gulf railway project would start in 2016. This project would connect all the Gulf countries. He said that work on around 600 km tracks would be completed within the Saudi borders and Oman and UAE have already started implementing the project in their respective territories. This vital project would strengthen infrastructural relationship of the Gulf countries. The railway being built inside the Kingdom would connect all parts of the country from north to south; and east to west. But the question comes in our minds is that if we are really capable of completing the project on time.
— By Abdul Wahid Al Humaid, Al-Jazira