Nepotism, whether those of us with no influential family relations like it or not, is rampant in just about every industry and economic sector around the world. So it should not come as much of a surprise that a hospital director in Jeddah has been accused of appointing 10 members of his family to managerial positions at the hospital. The lack of surprise, however, should in no way be interpreted as agreement with such hiring practices. As we all know, Saudi Arabia has operated for decades on a foundation of tribal membership and affinities. But King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has embarked on programs designed to remake Saudi society into a civil entity where all members are treated equally under the law. Such a system paves the way for a meritocracy, a system in which people serve and are promoted based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments. It is a system that, though not perfect, in theory assures that the most qualified candidates are given jobs and positions appropriate to their expertise. Clearly, appointing 10 of your own family members to managerial positions is stretching the idea of a meritocracy and miring it in nepotism. Unless there is one truly incredible coincidence when it comes to the hospital director's family, it seems safe to say that the 10 positions should have been opened to an honest candidate search and the most qualified applicants given the jobs. This is the kind of corruption that the Shoura Council has just passed a law to prevent. Corruption is not just wasta or bribes. It is giving jobs to unqualified family members, to phantom employees and a host of other practices. Only when those convicted of corruption find themselves behind bars will this type of abuse come to an end. __
