'Undermining national unity'
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 18
MPs Abdullah Al- Tamimi and Faisal Al-Duwaisan submitted Monday a grilling request against State Minister for Housing and Municipality Affairs Salem Al-Utheina on the decision of the Kuwait Municipality to demolish the tents and structures set up for the Ashoura festival. On Friday, the Shiite lawmakers and their supporters expressed anger at the Municipality for removing the structures and tents immediately after the Ashoura festival, instead of doing so after three days in accordance with the license. They then organized a gathering, during which they condemned and criticized the Municipality officials for the provocative act and disrespect to the Shiite religious rite. The proponents of the grilling accused the minister of undermining national unity, destabilizing the nation, abusing power, violating the law and the Constitution. In their grilling request, the MPs narrated that on Nov 15 the Municipality removed tents festival and the attendees of Husseiniyas. These tents and structures are licensed until Nov 20 as part of normal arrangements in the month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein -- son of Ali Bin Abu Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, and grandson of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
They pointed out the Municipality carried out the demolition operation without prior notice -- an act regarded as a violation of the people's freedom to practice their beliefs and religion. Al-Tamimi asserted the demolition happened on a weekend holiday in a manner that disturbs the people; thereby, violating the constitutional stipulation which guarantees freedom to practice one's own religion. Asked about the possibility of a noconfidence vote at the end of the grilling, Al-Tamimi said he will not think about the no-confidence vote until the grilling is discussed. He added the Assembly can vouch for him as he stood with the minister regarding the housing issue and there is no personal dispute between them. In a related development, MP Khaleel Al-Saleh expressed support for the grilling which, he stressed, is not an irrational reaction to what happened on what he called as 'Black Friday'. He pointed out the minister is a good friend and he has nothing personal against him.
He stressed the need for the minister to face the grilling, especially since the government is passing the blame on others. Meanwhile, Al-Duwaisan said the minister must bear the political responsibility when the law is violated. He asserted, "The government must know that we will never stop from using our constitutional tools to hold erring ministers accountable as the people of Kuwait can no longer stand the consequences of the authority's errors." On the contrary, MP Hamdan Al-Azmi alleged the grilling is personal, sectarian and aimed at serving electoral interests. He argued this is a personal dispute and an attempt to divert the public's attention from the grilling of State Minister for National Assembly, Planning and Development Affairs Dr Rola Dashti. Commenting on the grilling points, Al- Azmi said the people who took to the streets undermined national unity and disturbed the interior front lines, not the minister.
He argued the minister just applied the law in terms of the removal of the tents and structures. Furthermore, MP Jamal Al-Omar asked HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- Mubarak to remove five of six ministers to ease his burdens. He said there is no need for the entire government to resign, because this step must be taken by the ministers who are not performing well. In addition, MP Riyahd Al-Adsani submitted queries to the minister of communication regarding reports that Kuwait Airways Corporation had purchased five secondhand airbus 330-200 aircraft; while the Emirates Airways, Etihad Airways and Fly Dubai are said to have concluded a massive deal with Boeing on the purchase of 514 different models of aircraft at an estimated cost of $180.7 trillion. Al-Adsani also asked the minister to clarify reports that the secondhand airplanes are not suitable for long distance flights. He wants to know if an inspection team assessed the airplanes prior to the purchase and the factors behind Kuwait's inability to buy new aircraft.
© Arab Times 2013
