The quiet reformer: King Abdullah's reform agenda has been slowly progressing behind the scenes, but the growing uncertainty in neighbouring Iraq may yet become his biggest challenge.(SPECIAL REPORT: SAUDI ARABIA)

Publication: MEED Middle East Economic Digest

Publication Date: 08-DEC-06

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COPYRIGHT 2006 MEED Middle East Economic Digest. All Rights Reserved.

King Abdullah is a busy man. The 79-year-old monarch has been getting to know his people in recent months, covering every inch of the country, from Hail in the north to Jizan and Najran in the south. Every stop has been linked with the launch of a new university, a greenfield industrial plant or a real estate development or two.

The royal progress has the air of a presidential fund-raising campaign. But this style is in tune with the populist reform agenda promulgated by Riyadh. "If you look at the tours the king has undertaken, it is to understand his people," says Mustafa Alani at the Gulf Research Centre. "All the key ministers have accompanied him, as they will be responsible for providing jobs, education and health. He is taking notes firsthand and the people are giving him ideas. They believe his intentions are genuine."

Ordinary Saudis have embraced the new approach. The king has made himself approachable. Television now broadcasts open discussions between the monarch and his people and previously taboo subjects such as poverty and shortages of housing are now aired openly The media has taken its cue. Sensing the new openness, it continues to test the boundaries. Editorial columns and, more significantly, letters pages are crammed with complaints about government departments and officials. "It was unheard of five years ago," says Mani.

This air of confidence is driven by salient economic conditions, but even...

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