Saudis get internet hotline to king

Published May 3, 2014
A screenshot of the online portal to King Abdullah.
A screenshot of the online portal to King Abdullah.

RIYADH: Saudi citizens can now petition 90-year-old King Abdullah directly and lodge complaints through an internet site set up at the initiative of the monarch himself.

The portal tawasol.royalcourt.gov.sa, named after the Arabic word for “communication”, was launched on an experimental basis on Wednesday.

All messages are to be forwarded to the king.

“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,” the website says.

More and more Saudis in the conservative state are turning to social networking sites to demand improved living conditions.

However, the authorities, who block access to politically sensitive or pornographic websites, made several arrests in March for tweets deemed offensive to the king.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.