Article 5 of the Saudi Council of Ministers Law
المادة 5 من نظام مجلس الوزراء
Article 5 bars combining membership of the Council of Ministers with any other government post unless the Prime Minister considers necessity requires it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز الجمع بين عضوية مجلس الوزراء وأية وظيفة حكومية أخرى، إلا إذا رأى رئيس مجلس الوزراء أن الضرورة تدعو إلى ذلك.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 5 explained in plain English
This article sets a general rule and one exception:
- The rule: a member of the Council of Ministers may not combine his membership with any other government post. The apparent purpose is for the member to devote himself to his duties in the Council and his ministry.
- The exception: combining is allowed if the Prime Minister considers that necessity requires it. By the text, the assessment of necessity lies with the head of the Council alone.
The prohibition here concerns a government post. Business and financial activities, membership of company boards and dealings in State property are governed by the following Article 6, with separate restrictions. The article follows Article 4, which requires taking the oath before starting work.
The text does not state the criterion for necessity, the form of the decision by which the exception is made, or the effect of a violation, so details that do not appear in it should not be assumed.
Anyone who needs to understand how this rule applies to a particular case should consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and government regulations.
Practical example
A minister was appointed a member of the Council of Ministers while previously holding a post in another government body. Under Article 5 the rule is that he may not combine the two, and he continues in the other post only if the Prime Minister considers that necessity requires it.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 5 of the Saudi Council of Ministers Law
Can a minister hold another government post?
As a rule he may not, unless the Prime Minister considers that necessity requires it.
Who decides the exception to the ban on combining posts?
The Prime Minister, according to his assessment of necessity, as Article 5 provides.
Does Article 5 bar a minister from commercial activity?
Article 5 concerns government posts; commercial and financial activity is barred by Article 6.
More articles on Conditions and Duties of Council Membership
- Article 3
Article 3 requires a Council member to be Saudi by origin and birth, known for righteousness and competence, and not sentenced for a crime involving breach of religion or honor.
يشترط في عضو مجلس الوزراء ما يلي: أ - أن يكون سعودي الجنسية بالأصل والمنشأ. ب - أن يكون من المشهود لهم بالصلاح والكفاية. ج - أن لا يكون محكوما عليه بجريمة مخلة
- Article 4
Article 4 bars Council members from starting work before taking a set oath of loyalty to the religion, the King and the country, and of keeping State secrets.
لا يباشر أعضاء مجلس الوزراء أعمالهم إلا بعد أداء اليمين الآتية: "أقسم بالله العظيم أن أكون مخلصا لديني، ثم لمليكي، وبلادي، وأن لا أبوح بسر من أسرار الدولة، وأن
- Article 6
Article 6 bars a Council member, during membership, from buying or leasing State property, from selling or leasing his own property to the Government, and from commercial or financial activity or company board membership.
لا يجوز لعضو مجلس الوزراء أثناء تولية العضوية أن يشتري أو يستأجر مباشرة أو بالواسطة أو بالمزاد العام أيا كان من أملاك الدولة، كما لا يجوز له بيع أو إيجار أي شيء
- Article 17
Article 17 provides that Council members are tried for violations in their official work under a special law that sets out the violations, the procedures for accusation and trial, and how the court panel is formed.
يحاكم أعضاء مجلس الوزراء عن المخالفات التي يرتكبونها في أعمالهم الرسمية بموجب نظام خاص يتضمن بيان المخالفات وتحديد إجراءات الاتهام والمحاكمة وكيفية تأليف هيئة ا
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.