Citizens get wider access to king

The Royal Court has launched a website to accept complaints against government departments and receive applications for medical assistance. According to a senior official, the website was set up on the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Khaled Al-Tuwaijri, head of the Royal Court and private secretary of King Abdullah, said the website was launched on Wednesday morning with the aim of facilitating contacts between the Royal Court and the citizens.
According to a statement posted on the website, King Abdullah wants to ensure that all Saudi citizens receive the state’s services.
“People will be able to inform the king about any shortcomings in the services offered by government agencies and to take suitable action for the benefit of all citizens.”
Saudis have wholeheartedly welcomed the Royal Court’s new move as an excellent and strategic step and hoped their complaints and requests would reach the king without red tape.
“The strategic move by the Royal Court is a landmark in the Kingdom’s history,” said Abdelelah Saaty, dean of the College of Business in Rabigh, while commending the initiative.
“Al-Tuwaijri wanted to open up communication channels with citizens and this step will have a tremendous impact on services being extended by the various government departments,” Saaty told Arab News.
“The new website will contribute to citizens’ voices reaching the country’s top leadership,” he added.
Saaty said he considered it part of King Abdullah’s social and political reforms. “King Abdullah has always wanted to establish close contacts with citizens. We have seen him interacting with citizens during his visit to a Jeddah mall. The website will help him to know the real needs of citizens.”
Badr Almotawa, a political analyst, said the website would help citizens to have closer interaction with the king and present him their applications and complaints directly without any mediator.
“King Abdullah has won the hearts of citizens through his various welfare programs,” he told Arab News. He considered the website a valuable gift to citizens on the ninth anniversary of the king’s accession to the throne.
Almotawa also noted the tremendous progress achieved by electronic services in the Kingdom. “Our e-government services are one of the best in the world.” He hoped the website would contribute to promoting justice in the country.
The website can be accessed by logging on to tawasol.royalcourt.gov.sa.