Article 59 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 59 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل الخامس عشر: الواجبات والمحظورات
The article sets the enlisted member's duties: loyalty to the King and the interests of the nation, performing responsibilities accurately and honestly, carrying out orders other than in disobedience to God, good character, and preserving the honor of the service and discipline.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على الفرد:
أ- الولاء التام للمليك والمحافظة على مصالح الوطن والقوات العسكرية وأن يعمل دون إهمال على تطبيق النظم واللوائح المعمول بها وتنفيذها وتحاشي أية مخالفة أو خرق لها.
ب- أن يؤدي المسئوليات المكلف بها بكل دقة وأمانة ونشاط وإخلاص وأن ينهي الأعمال المطلوبة منه على أكمل وجه وفي أقصر مدة وأن يخصص وقت العمل لأداء واجبات وظيفته وما يناط به من واجبات بكل أمانة ودقة.
ج- أن ينفذ الأوامر والتعليمات العسكرية التي تصدر إليه من قبل رؤسائه في غير معصية الله.
د- أن يراعى آداب اللياقة وحسن الأخلاق في تصرفاته مع رؤسائه وزملائه ومرؤوسيه وأفراد الشعب.
هـ- أن يحافظ على شرف الخدمة العسكرية في جميع الأوقات والأماكن وأن يترفع عن كل ما يخل بشرف الوظيفة وكرامتها.
و- أن يحافظ على الانضباط العسكرية وحسن السلوك والقيافة وأن يكون مثلاً أعلى لذلك.
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 59 explained in plain English
This article sets the basic duties of the enlisted military member in six paragraphs:
- (a) Loyalty and compliance with the regulations: complete loyalty to the King, safeguarding the interests of the nation and the military forces, applying the systems and regulations without neglect, and avoiding any violation or breach of them.
- (b) Performing the work: performing responsibilities accurately, honestly, energetically and sincerely, finishing work in the best way and in the shortest time, and devoting working time to the duties of the post.
- (c) Obedience: carrying out the military orders and instructions issued by his superiors other than in disobedience to God.
- (d) Character: observing the etiquette of propriety and good character with superiors, colleagues, subordinates and members of the public.
- (e) Honor of the service: preserving the honor of military service at all times and in all places, and rising above whatever undermines the honor and dignity of the post.
- (f) Discipline: preserving military discipline, good conduct and proper appearance, and being a model in that.
Note that the duty of obedience in paragraph (c) is expressly limited to being other than in disobedience to God. Paragraph (e) also extends the duty to uphold the honor of the service to all times and places, so it is not limited to working hours.
The article does not set the penalty for breaching these duties. Anyone facing accountability over an alleged breach of one of these duties may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Private First Class Abdulilah is on leave, and posted on social media a clip in which he insults citizens in a public place with foul language. Although he is off duty, paragraphs (d) and (e) require him to behave with good character toward members of the public and to preserve the honor of military service at all times and in all places.
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 59 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
Must a military member carry out every order?
He must carry out the military orders and instructions issued by his superiors other than in disobedience to God.
Do an enlisted member's duties extend beyond working hours?
Yes. Paragraph (e) requires the member to preserve the honor of military service at all times and in all places.
More articles on Duties and Prohibitions for Military Personnel
- Article 60
The article lists what is forbidden to enlisted members, such as marrying a non-Saudi woman, political activity, trade, founding companies, disclosing information and accepting gifts, and makes violation grounds for trial and, for marrying a non-Saudi woman, expulsion.
يحظر على الأفراد ما يلي: أ- الزواج من غير سعودية. ب- القيام بأي نشاط سياسي بأي وسيلة كانت بما في ذلك إبداء الآراء السياسية والمساهمة في أي منظمة أو مجموعة ذات ص
- Article 67
The article charges the competent Minister, each in his own body, with carrying out the provisions of the Law, and gives him the right to delegate all or some of his powers to those of the officials he sees fit.
على الوزير المختص كل في جهته تنفيذ احكام بهذا النظام وله الحق في تفويض كل او بعض صلاحياته لمن يراه من المسئولين.
- Article 68
The article requires that any proposal to add or amend a provision of the Law or its Implementing Regulations be prepared by a committee formed from the bodies concerned with the Law.
اذا استدعت الحاجة الى إضافة أو تعديل أي حكم في هذا النظام او لائحته التنفيذية وجب اعداد ذلك من قبل لجنة مشكلة من الجهات المعنية بهذا النظام.
- Article 69
The article provides that the Council of Ministers issues the Implementing Regulations provided for in the Enlisted Personnel Service Law.
يصدر مجلس الوزراء اللائحة التنفيذية المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام.
- Article 70
The article gives the Council of Ministers the power to change the Enlisted Personnel Service Law.
لمجلس الوزراء صلاحية تغيير هذا النظام.
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.