Acting undersecretary for cultural affairs at the ministry, Abdullah Al-Jasser, told Arab News that there has been “no sacking, the subject is closed.”
In an earlier statement published in the local media, Al-Jasser said directors of culture and arts establishments who failed to implement the ministry’s plans would be sacked. He also mentioned that some officials behave as if the cultural clubs they head or serve are their personal possessions and that they violate regulations.
Responding to a request for further details about the reconstruction of the Kingdom’s cultural societies, Al-Jasser said “the topic of reconstruction is under study”. Arab News was unable to ask further questions, especially about the oft-mentioned complaint that arts and culture societies in the Kingdom do not receive sufficient funds from the ministry. In his earlier statement to the media, Al-Jasser said, “Grants should not be a means to cover the failure of the directors of these societies.”
Cultural organizations in the Kingdom have received no more than SR13 million, an amount that the directors of culture and arts societies say is insufficient in order to function. A major share of the grant goes toward rent and the salaries of the employees of the head office of culture societies in Riyadh and its 13 branches in the country.
