KUWAIT CITY: HH the Amir issued a thinly veiled warning to the newly elected Parliament on Sunday that he might dissolve the house again if it does not cooperate with the government. "Faced with the deviations and violations which threatened the nation's interests ... I was forced to take the decision of dissolving the previous Parliament," Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah told the inaugural session of the Parliament elected on May 17. "My responsibility at this delicate stage ... after development has been stalled ... requires me to intervene anytime so that national interests do not fall victim to whims, irresponsible practices and narrow personal interests," the Amir said. Sheikh Sabah dissolved the previous Parliament in March, accusing some MPs of misusing their constitutional powers during a standoff with the government.
It was the second time in less than two years that he had dissolved the Parliament and called early elections because of disputes between the assembly and the government. But no sooner had the Amir delivered his warning and left Parliament than nine Islamist and tribal MPs walked out of the session in protest at the government's makeup and the failure of two women ministers to wear the hijab, or Islamic headscarf. The conservative-controlled Parliament later approved by 33 votes to 21 a proposal by Islamist and tribal MPs to refer the case of the two women ministers without hijab to the house legal committee. It will have to establish if the two violated a law requiring women to "abide by Islamic regulations while voting or contesting the elections."
Liberal MPs and cabinet ministers, who are ex-officio members of Parliament, opposed the move. Cooperation between the Cabinet and Parliament is vital for Kuwait to achieve its development goals, the Amir said. Asserting that no one has the right to criticize or interfere in exercising his constitutional right to appoint the prime minister and Cabinet members, the Amir criticized the strained relations between the two authorities in the previous legislative round. He said the former MPs and ministers exchanged accusations, threatened each other and used inappropriate language while discussing national issues. He also condemned the former MPs for misusing their constitutional tools and presenting illogical demands which, he pointed out, led to public discontent.
Addressing the newly-elected MPs and newly-appointed Cabinet members, the Amir stressed it is his constitutional right to appoint the prime minister and Cabinet ministers in the same manner that citizens have the right to elect their legislative representatives. He added "nobody should question, criticize or interfere with the people's rights." Reiterating calls for ending tensions and strict compliance with the tenets of the nation, the Amir warned "we will not allow anybody to put Kuwait in danger. We should protect it from all forms of destruction -- political, social or economic." Disheartened by the people's outright disregard of the law, the Amir expressed his disappointment over the recent assaults on government authorities and their leaders, which jeopardized the integrity of Kuwait.
Clarifying that the dissolution of the previous Parliament was his last option as the former MPs failed to heed his advices, the Amir said "I had to intervene when the wheels of development stopped from moving forward." He then called on the new MPs to put the country's welfare above all else. "The government should prepare a comprehensive development plan based on the results of studies on our aspirations, abilities and needs to make our priorities the core of a transparent and feasible development program," the Amir added. Praising Kuwaiti women for their achievements in various fields, the Amir urged women to continue playing an active role in shaping the nation towards development.
Affirming the importance of freedom of speech in the country, the Amir highlighted "malpractices that defy borders of freedom with responsibility and professional honesty as well as public welfare requirements." He hopes the local media will focus on performing its national duties as well as enlighten the public on various issues. Asking MPs to be aware of surrounding circumstances, the Amir asserted "Kuwait expects so much from you and it has never let you down. The nation trusts you, hence, you are expected to work hand-in-hand with the Cabinet to tackle national issues and citizens' problems." "We are living in a tension-filled region where the security situation is deteriorating. No doubt the differences between the previous Parliament and government hindered efforts towards national development. We cannot also ignore tribal and sectarian conflicts which undermined national unity. We are in dire need of a distinctive model through which we can realize our dreams and provide better services to the people," the Amir said.
The Amir confirmed the government will prepare a general strategy for the state in cooperation with other authorities as a prelude for completing its development plan, which will be forwarded to the Parliament in its next session. The government will also present its work program to the Parliament before its next session. Besides development goals, the government's work program will also include ways to implement economic reforms to realize Kuwait's vision of becoming a financial hub in the region. It will also focus on amending laws as well as improve the infrastructure, the Amir added. "We will be facing a lot of challenges which require the highest level of responsibility among the people. We all have to realize that Kuwait is not for a particular sect or tribe. Kuwaitis should protect their identity and maintain national unity," the Amir said.
Meanwhile, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah congratulated the MPs after reading the Amir's speech. He said the government suspended the appointment of supervisory posts during the elections period to minimize interference in the electoral process. As part of its commitment to improve the living conditions of citizens, the Prime Minister said the government has agreed to grant allowances to Kuwaitis and expatriates working in the government sector and Kuwaitis employed in the private sector in addition to the strict implementation of price control regulations. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to heed the Amir's call for national responsibility. "We should all work together to achieve our objectives. The government will focus on national development and will work harmoniously with the Parliament to serve the interests of the citizens."
On the other hand, MP Khaled Sultan bin Issa expressed his gratitude to the Amir for gracing the opening ceremony of the Parliament. He wished both the Amir and Crown Prince good health and prosperity. He also congratulated the Prime Minister and members of the government for winning the trust of Kuwait's top political leaders as well as the MPs for winning the trust of the citizens. Issa said Kuwaitis are now tired of confrontations and lack of stability. He asked the government and Parliament to work for the interests of the nation and its people. "Citizens are the pillars of development. They are the most important resources aside from oil. We should also recognize the role of the private sector in the nation's growth."
Underlining the need to find alternative sources of income, Issa said "there is no other way to create employment opportunities for 350,000 Kuwaitis, who will enter the labor market in the next 12 years, but to diversify our sources of income." He also stressed the importance of creating an attractive investment environment to encourage foreign investors to Kuwait, instead of Kuwaitis investing their capitals abroad. Citizens suffered from the deterioration of public services as well as the unreasonable hikes in the prices of basic commodities. It is now time for the government to look into these issues, particularly ending monopoly, favoritism, and bureaucracy in government departments. We should also grant women their civil rights, Issa added. He said Kuwait donated huge amounts of money for various causes in other parts of the world and the time has come for the government to do the same for Bedouns (illegal residents).
After a temporary recess, the ministers and MPs took their oath but nine MPs walked out of Abdullah Al-Salem Hall while Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmed Baqer was being sworn in. Islamist MPs Daifalla Buramiya, Faisal Al-Muslim, Jaber Al-Muhailbi, Mohamed Al-Mutair, Abdullah Barghash, Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Mohamed Hayef in addition to MPs Musallam Al-Barrak and Mubarak Al-Walaan returned after all the ministers took their oath. Also, Islamists MPs Jamaan Al-Harbash and Ali Al-Omair interrupted the oath of State Minister for Housing Affairs and Administrative Development Mudhi Al-Humoud and asked her to wear the 'hijab' (veil). As their demands went unheard, both MPs waited for the completion of the ceremony before asking the parliamentary Legislative and Legal Committee to look into the issue of the female ministers' refusal to wear 'hijab'.
In other developments, the MPs re-elected former Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi, who won 52 out of 65 votes while his contender MP Abdullah Al-Roumi gained 11 votes. Three MPs abstained. Thanking his colleagues for their trust, Al-Khorafi vowed to meet their expectations as well as take all their remarks and reservations into consideration. He also asked for their help in running the upcoming parliamentary sessions. This is the fourth time that Al-Khorafi has been elected as speaker. He held the same post in 1999, 2003 and 2006. In the meantime, MP Fahad Al-Mae was elected as Deputy Speaker with 35 votes out of 65 while his opponent Salafist MP Khaled Sultan bin Issa got 27 votes. Three MPs abstained.
As for the Secretary General post, MP Rowdhan Al-Rowdhan won by lot as two ballots failed to break the tie between Al-Rowdan and Ali Al-Hajeri. Both MPs got 32 votes as one MP abstained. The MPs then moved on to elect members of permanent and temporary parliamentary committees. Talking to the press after the session, Al-Khorafi said both authorities should be aware of the contents of the Amir's speech "and to read between the lines in order to understand the wishes of the Amir". Meanwhile, MP Abdullah Barghash, one of the nine MPs who walked out of the hall while the ministers were taking their oath, said "ministers should be the first to abide by the law. The Elections Law requires female lawmakers to be dressed accordingly, which includes the 'hijab'."
Meanwhile, MP Saleh Ashour said most of the MPs are not satisfied with the new Cabinet lineup, which might lead to a change in ministers in the near future. Jassem Al-Khorafi adjourned Sunday the first sitting of the Parliament's first session of the 12th legislative term, declaring June 10 the date for the next sitting. Several deputies have complained that the new 15-member cabinet includes too many old faces. "Some deputies had reservations ... and wanted to express this by walking out. This is a message that the government must accept," parliamentarian Hasan Jouhar said. Opec member Kuwait wants to end its heavy reliance on oil income and diversify its economy to emulate the success of Gulf neighbours Dubai and Bahrain, which have become regional financial centres and popular tourist destinations.
Key plans such as a law to allow foreign firms to help develop oilfields and another to set up a financial regulator have been stuck in Parliament. "We are in a desperate need to move forward," said Maha Ghunaim, managing director of Global Investment House, Kuwait's biggest investment bank. "I encourage both the government and Parliament to put economic reforms and legislations on the forefront of everything they do, because obviously it has such a positive impact on the way we conduct business," she told Reuters.
Sunday's Parliament sitting marks the beginning of intensive and continuous work and cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, said Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Faisal Al-Hajji. In a statement to reporters after the adjournment of the first Parliament sitting of the 12th legislative term's first session, Al-Hajji said, "Today's sitting is not one of tensions, and in fact it marks the beginning of intensive and continuous work (between the Parliament and government)." He said, "Even better days are still to come." Moreover, the state minister said, "The country is witnessing a phase of advancement and progress ... and this is what was highlighted by His Highness the Amir in his speech."
By Dahlia Kholaif and Abubakar A. Ibrahim
© Arab Times 2008
