In a dynamic meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah II and the people of Karak earlier this week, the King delivered a clear message to all officials: being close to the people is not optional — it is a duty. His Majesty emphasized the importance of maintaining constant communication with citizens, saying in essence, “I hope not only the Prime Minister stays close to the people, but that all officials continue engaging with them.” The King’s words reaffirm that public service is not measured by statements or meetings, but by how connected an official is to the public and how capable they are of understanding and addressing people’s needs on the ground.
This royal directive revives a long-standing concept in political life — one that is often practiced seasonally or during crises. Communication with the public should not be treated as a media activity; it is a means of grasping reality as it truly is, away from official reports. When an official is present in the field, they see matters firsthand, hear directly from citizens, and sense the public’s pulse without intermediaries or filtered information.
Ministers’ and officials’ visits to governorates and various regions should become a consistent practice, not an occasional event. Decisions based on genuine, firsthand understanding are more accurate and fair. When citizens feel heard, and when the government stands with them in their daily challenges, they grow more cooperative and confident in the state and its institutions.
It is also important to note that some officials — even if their roles are not inherently field-based — still have a tangible and meaningful impact on citizens’ daily lives. There are those who work quietly within their institutions, reforming, developing, following up, and creating real change without appearing often in the media. Being close to the people does not necessarily mean physical presence among them; it means that citizens can feel the results of an official’s work through improved services, better living conditions, and increased trust in the state.
Field communication, therefore, is not merely about attendance or public gatherings; it is a continuous process of listening, following up, and implementing. An official who visits a region and promises to resolve an issue must return or ensure its implementation through the concerned authorities. Only then do words turn into trust, and promises into tangible action.
The King’s remarks on communication are not a superficial observation, but a reminder of a core duty in public administration: authority must be close to the people — not only politically, but also humanely. Citizens do not expect ceremonial appearances from officials; they seek genuine engagement with their concerns and daily struggles.
Amid Jordan’s current economic and social challenges, this message carries even greater significance. Every economic policy or administrative decision ultimately affects people’s lives, and any disconnect between decision-makers and society can lead to gaps in understanding and implementation. Building a continuous relationship between the government and citizens is thus a fundamental condition for the success of any reform or development initiative.
The message conveyed through the meeting with the people of Karak is not local or temporary — it is a general reminder to everyone in public service that closeness to the people is neither a luxury nor a political slogan. It is the foundation of good governance. A state is built among its people, not above them. Those who choose to stand with the people, to listen and to understand, are the ones truly capable of building it — with trust, justice, and lasting strength.
