Article 60 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 60 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل الخامس عشر: الواجبات والمحظورات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 صبغة سياسية وحضور أي اجتماع ذي طابع سياسي.
ج- مزاولة الأعمال التجارية والمهن الحرة سواء بطريق مباشر أو غير مباشر بأجر أو بدون أجر.
د- الاحتفاظ لنفسه بأية ورقة من الأوراق الرسمية إلا ما يخصه شخصياً ما لم يكن لها صفة السرية.
هـ- التصريح لغير رؤسائه أو من يخولونهم بأية معلومات عسكرية أو غيرها مما يتصل بعلمه ويستمر الالتزام بهذا الكتمان قائماً حتى بعد ترك الخدمة العسكرية.
و- الخدمة بالقوات المسلحة الأجنبية بعد انتهاء خدمته الا بعد الحصول على إذن من الوزير.
ز- الاشتراك في تأسيس المؤسسات أو الشركات أو قبول عضوية مجالس إدارتها أو أي عمل فيها.
ح- توجيه النقد أو اللوم إلى الحكومة بأية وسيلة من وسائل الإعلام الداخلية أو الخارجية.
ط- الاشتراك في مشترى وبيع المهمات واللوازم العسكرية والاملاك والعقارات الحكومية بقصد الربح أو المضاربة.
ي- قبول الهدايا والاكراميات والمنح سواء كانت بطريقة مباشرة أو بالواسطة وذلك لغرض التأثير على عمله الرسمي.
وتكون مخالفة أي من هذه المحظورات موجباً لمحاكمة الفرد ويطرد من يخالف حكم الفقرة (أ) من هذه المادة.
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 60 explained in plain English
This article lists what is forbidden to enlisted members, which is:
- (a) Marrying a non-Saudi woman.
- (b) Any political activity by any means, including expressing political opinions, contributing to an organization or group of a political character, and attending a meeting of a political nature.
- (c) Engaging in commercial business and the liberal professions directly or indirectly, with or without pay.
- (d) Keeping for himself any official paper other than what concerns him personally, provided it is not confidential.
- (e) Disclosing to anyone other than his superiors or those they authorize any military or other information that comes to his knowledge, and this secrecy continues even after leaving the service.
- (f) Serving in foreign armed forces after the end of his service except with permission of the Minister.
- (g) Taking part in founding establishments or companies, or accepting membership of their boards of directors, or any work in them.
- (h) Directing criticism or blame at the Government through any media outlet, internal or external.
- (i) Taking part in buying and selling military equipment and supplies and government property and real estate with the aim of profit or speculation.
- (j) Accepting gifts, gratuities and grants, directly or through an intermediary, for the purpose of influencing his official work.
The penalty: violating any of these prohibitions is grounds for the member's trial, and anyone who violates paragraph (a) is expelled.
Note that the ban on trade includes the indirect route and without pay, so it is not enough that the activity is in another person's name. Anyone facing accountability over one of these prohibitions may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Sergeant Sultan wants to open a shop managed by his brother in which he has a share of the profits. Paragraph (c) forbids him from engaging in commercial business even indirectly, and paragraph (g) forbids taking part in founding establishments and companies, and violating this is grounds for his trial.
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 60 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
May an enlisted military member marry a non-Saudi woman?
No. The Law forbids enlisted members to marry a non-Saudi woman, and anyone who violates this is expelled.
May a military member engage in trade?
No. He is forbidden to engage in commercial business and the liberal professions directly or indirectly, with or without pay, and to take part in founding establishments or companies.
Does the ban on disclosing information continue after leaving service?
Yes. Paragraph (e) provides that the duty of secrecy continues even after leaving military service.
More articles on Duties and Prohibitions for Military Personnel
- Article 59
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.
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 مخا
- 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.