Dhafer Al-Yami speaks at a press conference in his election tent in Al-Rawdah district of Riyadh. (AN photo)

RIYADH, 1 February 2005 — In one of the boldest campaign platforms chosen by a candidate contesting the forthcoming municipal elections, Dhafer Al-Yami has pledged to combat corruption in Riyadh Municipality.

“For the sake of the country... No to corruption” is his campaign slogan.

Al-Yami, who is an attorney and legal consultant, promises citizens visiting his campaign tent set up in the Al-Rawdah district constituency, that their hopes and concerns would be conveyed to the highest decision makers. He is a candidate in the third precinct in Al-Rawdah.

Among the points he highlights in his election plank in seeking the support of voters are:

• It is a priority to combat administrative and financial corruption in municipalities... How is public money spent by the heads of municipalities?

• Fair and accurate budgeting and financing of projects and municipal services.

• The need to reduce fees and increase municipal fines to create a balance between public interest and private interest according to the Royal Decree issued on 21/2/1397 H.

• Where is the share of youth in the distribution of land and houses? And what is the role of the municipality in real estate offerings?

• Shall we continue to turn a blind eye to real estate brokers and businessmen who are developing sprawling real estates horizontally into residential plots, thus creating a serious burden on urban and municipal utilities?

• Will south Riyadh continue to suffer from infestations of pests and foul odors emanating from deprived and neglected districts?

• The plight of people in Al-Naseem and Al-Natheem should be addressed as long as these districts are nothing but bazaars replete with livestock markets, slaughter houses, workshops, trenches, open sewages, and deserted streets.

• People in downtown and old districts in Riyadh have the right to work out practical solutions to access their houses and businesses easily.

At a press conference on Sunday evening in his campaign tent, Al-Yami said: “I will frankly state it: We in the Kingdom as in many other countries suffer from financial and administrative corruption. I do not have to produce any evidence because many instances have been published in newspapers and magazines and violations and abuse of public funds and spending are public knowledge.

“Some districts are witnessing an abundance of public parks and excellent urban planning and others are surrounded by sewage ponds and are swarmed with insects living along with flocks of livestock and noisy workshops.

“Let’s work together for the future of Riyadh as a healthy environmental capital.”

He called upon municipalities to consider in their urban planning the need for housing projects for the low-income citizen, especially the youth who are tomorrow’s generation. Currently, an average young hard working citizen may not be able to own a house before 20 years of toiling and striving. Sometimes some youth are given plots of lands in development lots and acreages, but the land often stays as it is for decades without basic utility services from the municipality.

He also called for businessmen to shoulder their social responsibilities. “Show me one real estate agent who has donated certain amount of his profits to finance charitable projects or housing projects for the poor or the low-income people,” he said.

A man asked the candidate how he is going to address the issues of great importance for younger Saudi generations such as providing public libraries, community and sports centers. He mentioned how terrorism, crimes and drugs are all spreading in poor and remote districts and that many youth who have leisure time on their hands can be misguided and led astray. These youngsters need big hearts and open arms for guidance and support, the voter added.

Al-Yami replied, “This is part of my campaign, which is to construct community centers. These centers would be categorized according to activities: social centers, cultural centers, sports centers....”

Abu Fahd, a man in his sixties, said he had been living in Al-Rawdah district for decades. Many of the problems he says he has seen over the years which have not been addressed are the presence of noisy workshops and livestock barns, in addition to sewage water flooding the streets.

“I am choosing this candidate because he is a young man and because of his degrees and experience. I ask Allah that He bless him in his campaign.”

Abu Fahd said he received a plot of land from the Real Estate Development Fund two years ago, after applying for it over 30 years ago. Abu Fahd’s is among many of the poor citizens living in the area on pension and his income does not exceed SR1,500 a month.

He along with other citizens called for the end of wasta (connections) in the distribution of housing plots by the Real Estate Development Fund where some citizens with connections get their plots allocated in a few years, while others wait for decades.