The Secretary of the Baha Region, Dr. Ali Muhammad Al-Sawat, held the secretariats and municipalities responsible for the pollution and visual distortion that has befallen the environment and the public space over the past decades. During his talk to the media, in the media salon of the Journalists Association branch, in a dialogue evening in Baljurashi Municipality, he revealed violations that were committed unintentionally by the municipal sector, including cutting and removing trees, opening roads in forests, dumping debris in random locations, and neglecting humanization. He pointed out that everyone assumed responsibility in 2021, to become the year of improving the urban landscape and removing distortion, stressing that the Baha region achieved a good percentage in the stages of removing distortion and improvement through the cooperation of all service sectors.

Al-Sawat explained to his colleagues that the Governor of Al-Baha region, Prince Dr. Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, is following the development process, personally overseeing the progress, discussing delays, and proposing solutions for those facing obstacles by following up on them and opening discussions and communication with the relevant ministers.

In discussing the media's handling of some shortcomings and the exaggeration of some errors to increase the readership of published material, Al-Sawat expressed his understanding of the good intentions of editors who are concerned about their region. He described the official as a person who walks barefoot on dangerous ground, exposed to stings and pains that the journalist, soaring on the wings of hopes and aspirations to achieve what everyone aspires to in terms of ideals, does not feel or sense. He described the official as entrenched and apprehensive, while the journalist is enthusiastic and driven, motivated by love and belonging. He pointed to the great transformation that our country is experiencing, as there are no longer open budgets, and work has become transparent and everything is out in the open, as he said. He called on the media partner to deal with service institutions, the secretariat, and municipalities objectively.

Al-Sawat stressed that the historical era of the Kingdom has compelled everyone to work and deal with transparency, under governance, and the automation of systems and sectors, recalling a time when the journalist exerted his utmost effort to obtain news or information, while today the lines are open and the official must respond to the journalist and clarify what he has of facts and information about projects, implementation, the flaw that has affected any work, and the possible shortcomings, given that human beings who work, are right and wrong.

He considered development to be a continuous and evolving process of modernization, noting that the custom of the pre-technological era required that development be planned, adopted, and implemented behind the scenes, while today's development is in the spotlight, starting with the state budget and passing through press releases of sectors and tweeting via social media platforms about everything the administration does, adopts, and expects.

Al-Sawat agreed with the suggestion of some that the Raghadan Resort project was delayed in issuing permits, and explained that they were notified by letters, so they responded by taking possession of the site and starting to fence it off, hoping that the permits would be issued before the month of Ramadan, as the project is the largest investment project that renews the hope of the people, in sustainable quality development.

Al-Sawat stressed that development has inputs and outputs, and that it does not succeed if it does not have a media support base. He looked forward to activating and expanding the common spaces between media and development, according to the philosophy of development and its circumstances, expressing openness to accepting constructive criticism, provided that the positive achievements are not overlooked. He called for overcoming the estrangement and apprehension, and raising the aspirations of society, through media that leads, evaluates, corrects, and raises the ceiling of ambitions without exaggerations or idealism.

Al-Sawat pointed to the attention the region receives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his Crown Prince, and the adoption of a strategic development office, in addition to a strategic plan adopted by the Prince of Al-Baha region, noting that stirring up public opinion is neither an achievement nor a journalistic scoop.

Al-Sawat explained that malicious complaints hinder development, stressing that the municipality is proceeding according to the vision of the region’s governor, and is dealing daily with the strategic planning process in which all sectors are involved. He expressed his regret that the center of Al-Baha city is experiencing rapid aging, explaining that work is underway to repair what can be repaired without expropriating properties. He added that the official does not want his region or his city to be a copy of other cities and regions, as each city and region has its own identity.

Al-Sawat denied any intention to change the names of the villages, as each village has an identity, history, and memory. However, the new organization requires the inclusion of a number of villages in neighborhoods, with each village retaining its name. He pointed out the importance of naming and numbering neighborhoods due to their vital connection to postal services, safety, and security.

Al-Sawat described the municipal councils as an experiment with its own advantages and disadvantages; he said they are currently suspended until further notice, and revealed studies and reports that addressed the possibility of the duplication of the regional council and the local and municipal council, suggesting the possibility of merging into one council.

Regarding complaints about changes to building facades, the regulatory authority said the building code applies to all facilities, adding that cities are like women, some are naturally beautiful and some only acquire beauty through dyes, decorations and makeup. He attributed the problem of stray animals to a conflict of jurisdictions in several entities, including the environment, agriculture and municipalities, and did not deny that some public relations departments do not establish developmental media.

The evening, presented by colleague Abdulrahman Abu Rayah, witnessed several interactive interventions, and the mayor of Baljurashi, Engineer Awad Al-Qahtani, colleague Omar Al-Ghamdi, Ibrahim Abu Fayyah, and Mansour bin Musbah contributed to organizing the dialogue.