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-New regulations aim at addressing irregularities in previous bylaw 

-Licensing fees are now based on pre-customs value not engine capacity

-All cars licensed before January 1, 2025 will not be affected by new bylaw

-New decision seeks to encourage use of electric, hybrid cars 

AMMAN – Putting the validating reasons as addressing deformities, achieving social justice and maintaining legislative and organizational stability, the government on Tuesday endorsed a new car registration and licensing bylaw.

The licensing fees are now based on pre-customs value instead of engine capacity as it was the case before and applies to private vehicles licensed for the first time after January 1, 2025.  

Briefing journalists about the new regulations, Minister of State for Economic Affairs and head of government of economic team Muhannad Shehadeh said the decision also aimed at encouraging the use of electric and hybrid cars as a major pillar of the Economic Modernisation Vision, which seeks to improve quality of life for Jordanians.  

The new amendments will not affect vehicles licensed up until December 31, 2024, regardless of their category, value, or type, whether they run on gasoline, hybrid, or electric systems, he said. "These vehicles will continue to be licensed under the current terms."  

The amendment reduces the licensing fees for hybrid vehicles by 25 per cent and for electric vehicles by 50 per cent compared to equivalent gasoline vehicles licensed after the regulation's enactment.

For electric vehicles with a pre-customs value of JD10, 000 or less, there will be no change to the annual licensing fee, which will remain at JD50 as currently applied.  

The amendments also set a reduced cap for licensing gasoline vehicles registered before January 1, 2025, limiting the maximum fee to JD450.  

As per the new amendments, licensing fees for gasoline-powered vehicles will be JD50 for vehicles with a pre-customs value of JD10,000 or less, JD125 for vehicles with a pre-customs value exceeding JD10,000 but less than JD25,000, JD300 for vehicles with a pre-customs value exceeding JD25,000 but less than JD50,000 , JD500 for vehicles with a pre-customs value exceeding JD50,000 but less than JD100,000, and JD800 for vehicles with a pre-customs value exceeding JD100,000.

Licensing fees for hybrid vehicles will be JD50 for if their pre-customs value is JD10,000 or less, and will be JD100 if above JD10,000 and below JD25,000.  JD200 will be the fee for vehicles valued between JD25,000 and JD50,000 and JD400 for vehicles valued above JD50,000 but below JD100,000, and JD600 for vehicles valued above JD100,000  

As for electric vehicles, JD50 will be the fees for EVs valuing JD10,000 or less before customs, while JD70, JD150, JD250, and JD400 will be the licensing fee for those valuing between JD10,000 and JD25,000,  JD25,000 and JD50,000,  JD50,000 and JD100,000 and above JD100,000 respectively.  

According to the new bylaw, a 20 per cent reduction in the annual licensing fee will be applied to vehicles licensed after January 1, 2025, after five years from the vehicle's manufacturing date, regardless of its type, to account for the depreciation in market value over time.

-Bylaw aims to implement Public Sector Modernisation Roadmap

-Bill requires government departments to analyse roles, develop competency-based job descriptions

-Bylaw classifies jobs into various categories

AMMAN — During its last meeting in 2024, the Cabinet, in a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, on Tuesday approved the 2024 bylaw for public sector jobs descriptions and classifications.

The bylaw is part of efforts to implement the Public Sector Modernisation Roadmap and aligns with the Public Sector Human Resources Management Bylaw, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The bill covers positions listed in the formations table and requires government departments to analyse roles and develop competency-based job descriptions, ensuring adherence to standards set by the Civil Service and Public Administration Commission.

The bylaw categorises jobs into senior-level positions, middle-management roles, specialised positions and administrative and technical support roles.

The Council of Ministers also approved the 2024 Administrative Organisation Bylaw for the Ministry of Investment. 

The bylaw establishes a clear organisational structure to define the roles and responsibilities of the ministry’s administrative units, aiming to enhance efficiency and performance.

The Cabinet also amended the 2024 Licensing of Activities Related to the Petroleum Derivatives Sector Bylaw, which regulates activities involving compressed and liquefied natural gas supply stations, including importing, exporting, transporting, distributing, selling and storing these products. 

It also specifies licensing fees for authorised entities.

Placing the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) at the heart of its policies, while acting as an "economic development government," Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh, during a recent meeting with journalists, said the Cabinet of Hassan has shifted the trend from "we will do" to "we already did."

During the meeting, Shehadeh said, "In every single session held over the nearly past 100 days, the Cabinet has made at least three decisions all with deep positive impact on the national economy."

"All the decisions made and those to be made are value-added and shall have immediate impact on stimulating growth and improving Jordanians' living conditions," Shehadeh, who heads the government's economic team, said.  

He explained that the EMV is based on "eight economic drivers, 360 priorities and 37 sectors" with the general objectives of achieving sustainable economic growth and improving Jordanians' living conditions."

In line with this endeavour, he explained that the government has taken a total of 41 economic decisions, including extending exceptions to national industries and other key sectors.  

With Jordanians' spending and consumption decreasing by around 40 per cent due to consecutive increases to interest rates, the minister explained that the government has adopted a "quantitative easing policy", aiming first at alleviating Jordanians' economic burdens and increasing revenues. 

He explained that there were unsettled customs cases since 1969 at a value of JD300 million, many of them have been settled after a Cabinet decision taken in this regard.

On October 21, the Ministry of Finance said that the Cabinet had approved a decision to exempt individuals involved in customs-related cases filed or discovered before December 31, 2019, from up to 90 per cent of the fines imposed on them.

This decision provides a 90 per cent exemption on customs and tax fines, confiscation fees, and administrative costs, in accordance with the Customs Law and the Law on Collection of Public Funds.

Referring to similar Cabinet decisions, under which vehicles with expired licensing for over a year have been exempted from fines, the minister said over the past 15 days 72,000 out of the 555,000 unlicensed cars have been licensed.

The Cabinet in a session on November 19 decided to exempt vehicles with expired licensing for over a year from fines, provided that owners pay fees by December 31.

AMMAN — The emergency number 911 received over 7 million calls in 2024, resulting in more than 5 million reports that were fully addressed by all departments of the Public Security Directorate (PSD), averaging 19,000 calls daily.

Assistant Director of the Operation and Control Department at PSD Col. Amer Nuwaylati on Tuesday said that over the past two years, the department, inaugurated by His Majesty King Abdullah in 2009, has been equipped with the latest technology and systems to meet evolving needs.  

Nuwaylati added that the call-handling system has been upgraded to include audio and video reports via the 911 mobile application, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

This enhancement specifically targets issues such as celebratory gunfire, reckless driving, and traffic violations endangering public safety, he added. 

The official said that the PSD processed over 18,000 notes that were addressed by specialists.

Nuwaylati highlighted the launch of the 114 application for people with disabilities, particularly those who are deaf, facilitating their communication with the PSD when needed. 

Over 1,100 calls were received through the application in 2024, all promptly addressed, he pointed out.  

He noted that the modernisation of the operations and control system is ongoing, aligning with digital advancements, including expanding the drone unit’s operations to enhance traffic management across the Kingdom, especially in Amman. 

Nuwaylati added that these drones are connected to the Operations and Control Room and the control centres of the Greater Amman Municipality.  

He highlighted that most critical facilities across the Kingdom have been linked to the "Safety Code" system operated by the department, which connects external cameras, theft prevention, and fire alarm systems of institutions such as universities, schools, hotels and malls to the unified 911 emergency number. 

The PSD official noted that are currently some 9,000 cameras connected to the Operations and Control Room.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Energy’s Fuel Pricing Committee on Tuesday announced adjustments to fuel prices for January, reducing the prices of unleaded 95-octane gasoline, increasing 90-octane gasoline and diesel prices, and keeping kerosene prices unchanged.

The committee lowered the price of unleaded 95-octane gasoline to be sold at JD1.1, down from JD1.105 per litre in December, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The price of unleaded 90-octane gasoline will increase in January to JD0.87 per litre, up from JD0.86 per litre in December.

Diesel prices will also increase, rising to JD0.690 per litre in January, up from JD0.680 in December.

Meanwhile, the price of kerosene will remain unchanged at JD0.620 per litre, and gas cylinders will continue to be sold at JD7.

The committee meets monthly to review and adjust prices in line with global oil market trends, in addition to other costs, such as shipping and taxes.

Also on Tuesday, the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission decided to maintain the “differences in fuel prices” category on monthly electricity bills for January at zero fils per kilowatt-hour (kWh), Petra added.

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein, Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi on Tuesday participated in the funeral of former senator and former director of the Public Security Directorate (PSD) Abdulrahman Mohammed Odwan.

During the funeral, Issawi conveyed the condolences and sympathy of King Abdullah and Prince Hussein to Odwan's family and tribe, paying tribute to his accomplishments and services in various responsibilities he held, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

Odwan had served in several key positions, including director of the Badia Police Directorate, president of the Military Court, and assistant director of PSD for operations and planning.

He also served as member of the 28th Senate.

Also on Tuesday, Senate President Faisal Fayez mourned the passing of Odwan

Fayez expressed his deepest condolences and sympathy to Odwan's family, according to Petra.

AMMAN — Jordan and Egypt have extended their land transport cooperation agreement for another year, facilitating smoother entry for trucks, refrigerated vehicles, and buses into each other's territories.

The agreement was finalised during the two-day meeting of the Jordanian-Egyptian Technical Committee for Land Transport in Cairo, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Among the updates, the maximum diesel allowance for Jordanian trucks departing Egypt was increased, with refrigerated trucks permitted up to 600 litres of diesel and non-refrigerated trucks allowed a maximum of 400 litres.

Both sides also pledged to enhance port entry procedures, streamline customs clearance, and address other logistical challenges to ensure efficient transport operations.

 Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport Fares Abu Dayyeh, who led the Jordanian delegation, underscored the strong ties between Jordan and Egypt in the transport sector and commended their cooperative efforts to advance this vital industry.

Egyptian Deputy Minister of Transport Maj. Gen. Magdy Abdel Hamid highlighted the significance of continued partnership, saying, “This cooperation helps overcome challenges in the transportation sector, supports our economies, and fosters integration for mutual benefit.”

AMMAN — The Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) conducted six operations and security campaigns, leading to the arrest of 12 drug dealers and traffickers, including two classified as "dangerous," the Public Security Directorate (PSD) announced Tuesday.

A PSD spokesperson highlighted the AND’s ongoing efforts to target drug dealers, smugglers, and traffickers across the Kingdom, with recent operations resulting in the seizure of substantial quantities of narcotics and firearms.

One major raid in the Central Badia region targeted a group involved in drug trafficking and promotion, leading to the arrest of four individuals and the confiscation of narcotics and weapons, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

 In West Balqa, a drug dealer was apprehended following the arrest of three accomplices, with authorities seizing 4,000 narcotic pills and five palm-sized sheets of hashish. 

In a separate West Balqa case, a “dangerous and armed” suspect wanted for drug-related offences was arrested, and a firearm was confiscated.

In Amman, a drug dealer was apprehended, and 18 palm-sized sheets of hashish were seized. 

Meanwhile, in the Northern Ramtha district, authorities arrested another dealer and confiscated seven sheets of hashish. 

In the latest case, a "wanted" person classified as "dangerous" was busted in one of the areas, west of Irbid Governorate.

AMMAN — The Cassation Court upheld a January Criminal Court decision to sentence a man to seven years in person after convicting him of sexually assaulting his minor relative in Mafraq in November 2022.

The Criminal Court handed the defendant a seven-year prison term after convicting him of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl on several occasions while at her family’s home.

Court documents said the defendant and the victim lived in the same house because he was a close relative.

The defendant would “sexually assault the girl when her parents were out of the house,” court transcripts said.

"The defendant threatened the victim that he would kill her father if she told anyone about the sexual assault," the court said.

However, the matter was exposed when the victim decided to inform her mother about the sexual assault incidents and a complaint was filed against him, the court maintained.

The defendant was arrested and the victim was referred to the Family Protection Department for further examination and questioning, the court maintained.

“The court relied on DNA evidence from samples taken from the victim’s clothes and body which matched the defendant’s DNA,” according to court transcripts.

The defendant had contested the Criminal Court’s ruling through his lawyer claiming that “there were illegal investigation procedures”.

Meanwhile, The Criminal Court’s attorney general asked the higher court to uphold the ruling.

The Cassation Court ruled that the Criminal Court’s judgment fell within the law, that the proceedings were proper, and that the sentence was satisfactory.

The Cassation Court tribunal comprised judges Mahmoud Ebtoush, Hammad Ghzawi, Mahmoud Shreiri, Nayef Samarat and Mohamad Khashashneh.