Clear sail ahead

The much talked-about change of government has come about. Now all the energy spent on discussing and speculating the course of the country will hopefully be channelled into more positive things, like working to see the country make substantive headway.

Government and people alike now need to carefully heed His Majesty King Abdullah’s directives, as spelled out in his Letter of Designation to the new prime minister, if the country is to navigate the challenging course of the times ahead.

The change marks a new beginning on more than one front. The new premier is expected to bring fresh blood and perspectives into governance. His mandate calls for a sweeping review of existing state policies and practices, a daunting task, no doubt.

Politically, the country needs to continue the process of reform and modernisation, based on clear objectives, responsibility and accountability. Timelines need to be given, as one way of measuring performance.

Decentralisation will have to be implemented and public participation in the political development strengthened. The Elections Law has to be amended, “to ensure that the next elections are a qualitative leap … whereby every Jordanian is able to … elect a legislature that is capable of exercising its constitutional role of monitoring the government, writing legislation and contributing effectively to the adoption of democracy ….”

Economic reform, certainly a priority, is in need of policies that help the country weather the global financial downturn, boost competitiveness, strike “a balance between financial capabilities and demands for public spending, preserve fiscal and monetary stability and strengthen our reliance on our own resources”.

Most importantly, it has to be strongly impressed on the citizenry that Jordan is a country of institutions and laws that give rights but also exact obligations, and that cannot be superseded by any other loyalty.

The new Cabinet will have to pay close attention to major issues like education, health, employment, social security and housing. Above all, its members will need to adopt a code of conduct to govern their performance, away from vested interests, dereliction of duty of abuse of office.

The Monarch drew the course of the stage ahead exhaustively and judiciously. All that is needed now is for the prime minister to match this wisdom when choosing his team of ministers.

The task ahead is enormous. The performance of the prime minister and his Cabinet will be followed closely, but Jordanians cannot, indeed should not, expect wonders or things to fall in their laps. Only collective hard work and desire to see the country advance can be expected to yield positive results.

The King expressed confidence both in the people and in the coming government. He should not be let down.

jordantimes