JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Sunday issued a decree approving 18 new salary scales for government employees. The new scales that came into effect Saturday, include a 15-percent inflationary allowance.The royal gesture, which includes adoption of SR3,000 as minimum salary for Saudi employees in the public sector, comes on the sixth anniversary of the king’s accession to the throne.King Abdullah received a number of princes, ministers, senior officials, military commanders and groups of citizens from Makkah and Madinah provinces who came to greet him at Al-Salam Palace.Addressing the gathering, King Abdullah urged Saudis to be honest in all their dealings.“I would like to give you a little advice: be honest. It is the hallmark of humans, without which they are not humans. You have to uphold honesty in all your dealings, at your homes and while dealing with your children, relatives and others.”King Abdullah, who has launched a war against administrative and financial corruption in the country, repeated the importance of honesty. “God loves honesty. If you are honest the whole world will believe you. If you slip a bit in fulfilling honesty, even by a single word, nobody will respect you.”The king commended the great qualities of Saudis and urged them to uphold those values.”You are a truthful and loyal people. A nation of great abilities and morals. I am just a servant of you or less than your servant. Believe me, I will not sleep except after inquiring about what are the happenings in various parts of the Kingdom … This I am doing to fulfill my duty and in response to your love, which I will never forget as long as I live,” the king said.
Sharied Hazza Al-Abdali, who spoke on behalf of the people of Makkah province, described King Abdullah as a loving father and trustworthy ruler and wished him long life and good health. Saleh Al-Maghamisi, who spoke on behalf of the people of Madinah, emphasized the unity of Saudis under Abdullah’s leadership.Earlier, Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, congratulated King Abdullah and the Saudi people on the sixth anniversary of the king’s rule. “On this day, we express our pride in the leader of our march and pioneer of our country’s comprehensive development, the leader who is guided by the fear of God and who has dedicated himself to the service of his religion and loyal people,” the crown prince said.
Prince Sultan said that when King Abdullah assumed power six years ago, he was aware of his great responsibility and he sought support and strength from the Almighty and from his people. “The king has translated his words into deeds, establishing justice, and has been serving all people in continuation of the approach followed by King Abdul Aziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia.”Prince Sultan underscored the remarkable progress and prosperity made by the Kingdom during King Abdullah’s reign. “The latest royal decrees issued by the king after his safe return home are proof that he has always sensed the needs of his people, and that he has always stood ready to meet them at any time and inspect their conditions.”
“The Saudi people have shown the whole world their commitment to the faith, principles and solidarity with its leadership and that they will allow no one to spoil these well-rooted and strong bonds, a fact for which God should be thanked and praised,” the prince said.Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman underscored the tremendous progress achieved by Saudi Arabia under the leadership of King Abdullah. Speaking to reporters in Riyadh after opening a road project, the governor said: “By the grace of God, we enjoy stability and security during the reign of King Abdullah.” – Arabnews
