King: It is unfair for citizens to carry burden of financial reform alone

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday affirmed that it is unfair for citizens to be left alone to carry the burden of financial reform, stressing that shortcomings in providing vital services such as education, healthcare and transport will not be tolerated.

King Abdullah underlined that all state institutions are required to tighten and rationalise spending, calling for taxes to be balanced with the quality of services provided to citizens, according to a Royal Court statement.

Chairing a National Policies Council meeting upon returning to Jordan, His Majesty urged the government and Parliament to lead a comprehensive, rational, national dialogue to reach a consensus on the income tax draft law that does not fatigue the public, combats evasion and improves efficiency of tax collection.

His Majesty stressed the importance of the active participation of political parties, professional associations and civil society institutions in the dialogue by providing realistic, workable recommendations that serve national interests.

At the meeting, attended by HRH Prince Feisal, Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Senate President Faisal Fayez, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Atef Tarawneh, His Majesty noted that self-reliance is not merely a slogan, nor is it simply about imposing taxes.

Self-reliance, His Majesty affirmed, entails active government institutions capable of providing quality services and attracting investments, and empowering governorate and municipal councils to deliver development and quality services around the Kingdom.

The King voiced his confidence in Jordanians’ sense of responsibility, and in Jordan’s ability to overcome challenges.

“I know how much Jordanians have endured; this is their true mettle. We are working day and night to overcome this difficult situation,” His Majesty said at the meeting.

He stressed that the challenges facing the economy are due to the difficult regional conditions.

“The problem does not lie in Jordan. Jordanians are ready to sacrifice for their country, and with their strong resolve, we will persevere and overcome these challenges, as we have surmounted others before,” the King affirmed.

His Majesty said that achieving such a goal requires working in unity to reach a consensus where Jordan, its economy and future generations reap the benefits, adding that the difficult times facing Jordan and the choices available to the Kingdom now are not the same as five or ten years ago.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Jamal Sarayrah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Jafar Hassan, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Adnan Jundi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas and Adviser to His Majesty for Tribal Affairs Sharif Fawwaz Zaben attended the meeting.

Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani, Interior Minister Samir Mubaidin, Public Security Directorate Director Maj. Gen. Fadel Hmoud, and General Directorate of the Gendarmerie Director Maj. Gen. Hussein Hawatmeh were also in attendance.