VZCZCXRO8276
RR RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHRH #1360 2860839
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130839Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1693
INFO RUEHZM/GCC COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS RIYADH 001360 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS, BERNDT) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON SOCI PGOV SCUL SA
SUBJECT: PROVOCATIVE SAUDI COMEDY HIGHLIGHTS INFLATION CONCERNS 
 
¶1. (SBU) For sixteen years, Saudi viewers have become accustomed to 
gathering around their television sets after breaking the Ramadan 
fast to watch the highly satirical and painfully critical Saudi 
comedy show Tash Ma Tash.  This show broadcasts one thirty minute 
skit each night during Ramadan, generally lampooning the main events 
and social concerns of the year.  In a society where public 
criticism of social norms, economic conditions, and government 
policies can be frowned upon, Tash Ma Tash stands out for 
provocatively challenging established Saudi norms.  In previous 
years, they have poked fun at the religious police, for example. 
 
¶2. (SBU) One episode of this year's show entitled "No More Rice" 
depicted the severity of the rice shortage Saudi Arabia suffered in 
early 2008 as a consequence of India and Pakistan's decisions to 
suspend rice exports.  (Note:  Rice is considered a basic commodity 
in Saudi Arabia.  It is one of the two basic ingredients used to 
make "kebsa," a popular and traditional Saudi dish made with lamb, 
mutton, or chicken and served on a large bed of rice.)  This 
shortage contributed to record-high inflation and reportedly 
convinced King Abdullah to relieve former Commerce Minister Hashim 
Yamani of his duties in March 2008. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The satirical episode depicts a large Saudi family trying 
desperately to acquire enough rice to meet its daily needs.  With 
supplies scarce, the price of a 5 kg bag of rice jumps from 90 SR to 
500 SR (from $25 to $130), creating a lucrative black market.  The 
two lead characters, who play the roles of the brothers Abu Hizaar 
and Abu Nizar, do nothing all day but watch the local news for 
updates on the "rice crisis."  In a discussion between them and a 
friend, Abu Hizaar questions how a Saudi living on a monthly salary 
of 5,000SR ($1,330) can survive under the circumstances.  The 
episode's punch line comes when both brothers arrange to purchase 
rice on the black market.  Similar to a TV drug buy, they meet a 
rice supplier in a remote desert location and exchange a suitcase of 
cash for a bag of rice. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Another episode, entitled "Poverty," depicts a Saudi 
government employee who makes 6,000 SR a month ($1,600).  He and his 
wife are burdened with debt.  In a reference to the high inflation 
in local real estate prices over the past two years (including a 40 
percent hike in the price of rental housing), the tenant receives 
notice from his landlord that his annual rent will increase 20 
percent to 25,000 SR ($6,670).  In their struggle to make ends meet, 
the Saudi couple decides to take in an Egyptian family in order to 
earn extra money to afford the rent.  The episode ends with the 
Saudi couple rushing the pregnant Egyptian woman to a nearby 
hospital to deliver her baby.  The Saudi husband ends up borrowing 
more money to pay 9,000 SR (2,400 USD) for the Egyptian woman's 
delivery. 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) The show points out how much price increases of basic goods 
hurt Saudis, especially those at or below the poverty line, for whom 
price and rent increases were no laughing matter. Only 40 percent of 
Saudis own their own homes.   Although inflation has receded from 
last year's high of 11 percent to 4.1 percent in August 2009, rents 
have not declined, and Saudi authorities will remain sensitive to 
further inflationary pressures as the global economy recovers.  The 
subjects of this show illustrate the economic hardships faced by 
middle and lower income citizens whose standard of living continues 
to decline, despite the country's aggregate wealth. 
 
ZIADEH