JEDDAH — Many businessmen, government officials and security personnel have welcomed directives issued by Minister of Interior Prince Muhammad Bin Naif defining deterrent penalties for residency law violators with the aim of combating tasattur (cover-up) businesses. They pointed out that the directives will have positive security implications and will effectively deal with the problem. A member of the security committee at the Shoura Council, Nawaf Al-Fagham, said the directives, which are issued after several previous directives regarding illegal residents and those who harbor them, are in the interests of the general public. He pointed out that there have been many encroachments from citizens and residents regarding illegal residents and the Ministry of Interior had no choice but to issue deterrent penalties to combat such behavior. Al-Fagham added that the ministerial directives covered all possible violations whether by residents or citizens and these penalties were enacted gradually, as the government had provided the residency law violators grace periods to correct their status. Member of Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Mazen Al-Tounsi said, "Any action regarding this issue is welcome, especially as tasattur has become a very annoying trend that threatens society and the business sector in general." He pointed out that many residency law violators compete for projects under the names of Saudi companies and these illegal residents pose a security threat to the country. He believes that the directives will greatly benefit the public and encourage the Saudization of jobs in all sectors. Head of Madinah Police Maj. Gen. Abdulhadi Al-Shahrani believes that the directives are very beneficial and will deter all violators. Head of Madinah Passport Department Brig. Saad Al-Jumaah said these directives will contribute to combating the problem of residency law violators and those who harbor them and will have many security benefits. Madinah Police spokesman Col. Fahd Al-Ghannam said security bodies will not hesitate in enforcing these directives that seek to protect the nation's security and economic stability. Col. Khalid Al-Ghamdi, head of special forces for road security in Madinah, said the directives will effectively deal with the problem. Spokesman of Madinah's Passport Department Col. Hisham Al-Raddadi said the directives will deter violators in the job market and contribute to the general safety of the public. Saleh Al-Ahmari, head of the labor office in Hail, said the penalties will correct many anomalies in the job market and create work opportunities for Saudis. He added that the directives will also limit the transfer of money outside the Kingdom and combat the monopoly of violators of certain trades. Faisal Al-Jehani, a security officer, said the directives will bring down the number of crimes in the country. He said illegal residents are responsible for many of the crimes in society. Deputy Head of Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) Mohammad Shatran said the directives will deal with the bad behavior of illegal residents that is tarnishing the Kingdom's reputation. He added that the directives complement previous ones that seek to ensure public safety and will secure many Saudis' employment in several fields. He asked for the cooperation of the public in implementing these directives. Member of NCCI Saleh Al-Salamah said the public was awaiting government directives to regulate the presence of expatriates in the Kingdom. Al-Salamah noted that the new directives will limit the number of infiltrators who repeatedly attempt to enter the Kingdom illegally because there were no deterrent penalties. He added that the directives will also limit the number of Umrah and Haj pilgrims who overstay in the country after completing their religious rituals. Head of Makkah Police Maj. Gen. Assaf Al-Qurashi believes that the new directives aim to maintain public order and were announced after exhaustive studies were carried out. Several businesswomen in Makkah said the new directives will put an end to or at least limit tasattur practices and create more job opportunities for Saudi job seekers.
