Interior Minister Prince Ahmed yesterday warned businesses against increasing prices of essential commodities, especially during the holy month of Ramadan with the aim of making excessive profits.
Addressing a press conference after chairing a meeting of regional governors in Jeddah, he instructed the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and related agencies to monitor markets to control prices.
“Businessmen and traders should fear God and should not try to make excessive profits by charging high and unreasonable prices.
It will not be good for them in this world and the hereafter,” he added.
However, he pointed out that state control would be limited to controlling prices. “Ours is a free market that depends on competition. So people should avoid highly priced goods and buy cheaper ones instead to bring down prices,” he explained.
Speaking about the National Fundraising Campaign for the Syrians, Prince Ahmed said it helped in mobilizing SR 405.85 million in cash donations.
About 50 to 70 truckloads of food supplies have been readied for distribution among the Syrians with the support of international organizations.
The interior minister stressed the Kingdom's determination to maintain public security, adding that it has been enjoyed by every citizen and resident of the country. He underscored the cooperation among the GCC countries to strengthen security.
In response to a question on increasing cases of drugs being smuggled into the Kingdom through its borders, Prince Ahmed said: “Smuggling takes places not only through the Kingdom's borders, which are tightly controlled and a large part of the borders is secured.”
He added: “The Kingdom's borders are large and spacious with mountainous and difficult terrains and smugglers try to enter the Kingdom through difficult places.”
The minister said the border guards are doing their best to prevent smuggling of drugs and weapons into the Kingdom and have arrested a large number of smugglers.
He reiterated the government’s policy to achieve a balanced development in all parts of the Kingdom. “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has insisted that all places in the Kingdom should enjoy the basic privileges and not be excluded from comprehensive development,” he added.
Prince Ahmed spoke about the merits and demerits of modern technology. “It is a weapon with two sharp edges: harmful and useful. It is hoped that the predominant among the two would be the beneficial one,” he said, adding that most of what has been published in some social media networks is not true and negates the reality.
Prince Ahmed urged those dealing with modern communication devices, especially the youth, not to believe or make judgment about something without verifying the truth.
He said the governors’ meeting had discussed the issue of unemployment among Saudis. “There are about seven million expatriate workers in the Kingdom.
If they had employed at least one million Saudis we could have cut the number of expatriates.”
He emphasized the need for studying unemployment of Saudis in detail in order to know the reasons for their unemployment and find effective solutions. “We would like to know why they are not employing Saudis in place of expatriate workers,” he added.
Prince Ahmed referred to the arrest of Namer Al-Namer who instigated the Qatif riots. “We are doubtful about his scholarship and intellectual capabilities,” the minister said. Al-Namer's wife has been working as an employee at the Passport Department and his sons and daughters have received government scholarships. His wife was sent to the US for treatment from a malignant disease at state expense. “The state has done everything for him like any other citizen.”
Prince Ahmed made it clear that the government would not allow demonstrations aimed at undermining the country’s security and stability. “When such demos exceed limits, violate others' rights or bypass state security, it is imperative to stop them.”
Answering a question on prisons in the Kingdom, Prince Ahmed said the condition of some of them is unsuitable, but added that a number of modern prisons have been established in various parts of the Kingdom equipped with facilities for the rehabilitation of prisoners.
He disclosed plans to build a number of new prisons with advanced facilities.
The governors' meeting was attended by Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz bin Musaed of the Northern Border Province, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal of Makkah, Prince Sattam of Riyadh, Prince Muhammad bin Nasser of Jazan, Prince Faisal bin Bander of Qassim, Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen of Hail, Prince Muhammad bin Fahd of Eastern Province, Prince Fahd bin Sultan of Tabuk, Prince Faisal bin Khaled of Asir, Prince Mishari bin Saud of Baha, Prince Fahd bin Badr of Al-Jouf, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed of Madinah and Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah of Najran. Assistant Interior Minister Prince Muhammad bin Naif also attended.
_arab News