27 MPs support grilling against Minister Al-Sayer
KUWAIT CITY, March, 14: A motion to grill the prime minister is underway, announced MP Ahmed Al-Saadoun on Monday on behalf of the Popular Action Bloc (PAB).
Further motions are also in process by MP Yousef Al-Zalzalah to question the Minister of Health, Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer, and by the National Action Bloc (NAB) to question the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and State Minister for Development and for Housing, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.
The PAB further announced that it will give the NAB an opportunity until next Sunday to submit the grilling motion against Al-Fahad, before they request the questioning of the PM. Al-Saadoun reassured that they will postpone the motion against the PM if the NAB submits its request.
Veteran MP Al-Saadoun said that the PAB plans to grill His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, on the legality of the Zain Telecommunications deal with UAE's Etisalat. He added that the bloc also desires to question the prime minister on violations within the company itself and the arbitrariness of the government regarding public funds and the protection of shareholders
The controversial deal, which was in process since late 2010, surrounds a $12 billion takeover of Zain by the UAE's Etisalat and bids to sell Kuwait's shares in Zain Telecommunications Company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Saadoun further added that the issue has become a matter of the government's position regarding the protection of public funds, as it contributes 27 percent of it to Zain.
He explained that Zain's Board of Directors held a meeting recently in the absence of a representative from the government, although the meeting discussed the appropriation of KD 326.627 million in transfers and other deals that amount to KD 778 million in net profits that were put on the budget.
The National Action Bloc (NAB) expressed its surprise on the PAB's plans to grill the PM, as both parties have discussed requesting the interpellation of Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, since January.
Speaking on behalf of the NAB, MP Adel Al-Saraawy accused the PAB of attempting to undermine Sheikh Al-Fahad's grilling request, assuring that the motion will be submitted "very soon".
Denied
Al-Saadoun denied any coordination between the NAB and PAB on Sheikh Al-Fahad's grilling and assured that the PAB will support the motion regardless of its attempts to question the PM. He added that the PAB will give the NAB an opportunity until next Sunday to submit Sheikh Al-Fahad's grilling motion and that they will postpone the motion against the PM if the NAB does so.
Meanwhile, MP Yousef Al-Zalzalah announced that 27 MPs have supported his grilling request against the Minister of Health, Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer. He said that the grilling motion will be ready during the next two weeks and that Dr. Al-Sayer will be questioned on alleged violations within the health ministry.
The violations pertain to finance, medical errors that have increased massively, as well as administrative violations that include the appointment of unqualified candidates into various ministerial positions, Al-Zalzalah added.
MP Al-Saifi Mubarak Al-Saifi expressed his support of Al-Zalzalah's grilling request and MP Adnan Al-Mutawwa said that questioning ministers is a constitutional right. He assured that Al-Zalzalah would not submit a grilling motion until after conducting a thorough investigation.
MP Maasouma Al-Mubarak also added herself to those requesting the removal of no less than six state ministers as they have proven their inability to develop and reform.
Moreover, MP Ali Al-Rashid requested the PM to remove the majority of the unproductive ministers, especially Minister of Oil and Minister of Information, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah. He added that the immediate amendment of the government has become absolutely vital at this stage.
Islamist MP, Falah Al-Sawwagh further reiterated the call requesting the government to resign and said that it is the best solution in light of the recent political turmoil.
In addition to the stated grilling motions in process, news reports have been circulating alleging that the Development and Reform Bloc (DRB) is planning to hand in a grilling motion against the Minister of Education, Dr. Moudhi Al-Humoud.
© Arab Times 2011
