By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – The “honeymoon” period for Dr. Yousuf Bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, new Minister of Social Affairs, is not yet over. “I am still on honeymoon” was the terse comment the minister made to the waiting journalists after holding a meeting with directors of Makkah Region’s branches on Monday night.Journalists, who waited for about two hours outside the meeting hall, were certainly not amused by the comment which made it clear that the minister did not want to reveal details on his agenda for the future.Al- Othaimeen earlier worked as assistant deputy minister for social care in the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs before the ministry was divided in two independent ministries, Labor and Social Affairs.From the very beginning it was clear that the minister did not want to divulge any details on his plans and this notion was further strengthened when journalists, who followed Al-Othaimeen into the meeting hall, were told: “I promise to talk to you soon.”How soon it will be is a matter of conjecture as it was not defined.Dr. Al-Othaimeen is the first specialized minister of social affairs to take the post as he has a doctorate degree in social and political theories and improvement.The minister’s task may not be easier as files have piled up on his desk, with some of them relating to poverty, insurance, high rates of divorce and delayed projects. However, those profiting from social security benefits, especially orphans, are hopeful that there would be a quantum leap in ministry’s performance.
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