MPs Caution Against Closure
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: Ministry of Commerce and Industry has closed down Al-Mustaqbal daily and Mubasher Satellite Channel owned by Sheikh Salem Al-Ali.
According to sources from the Commerce Ministry, the closure was based on their violation of commercial license related regulations, and they will remain closed until the management has completed necessary procedures in that regard.
Also, the authority closed down the cafeteria inside the building after discovering its activities contradicted the purpose for which the government had issued the license, sources added.
The daily explained that commercial operation in the Free Trade Zone is different from other places, since the area is meant for companies specialized in international business and marketing. It noted the ministry has closed down many café joints in the area for violating commercial law.
In reaction to the closure, MP Musallam Al-Barrak cautioned Minister of Information and his Commerce counterpart must ensure they act in line with regulations, because they will justify their actions.
MP Dr Dhaifulla Buraimiya shared this sentiment while directing similar caution to the ministers. He said the channel reports the truth, but it appears the government is not comfortable with that fact.
He affirmed the action against the two media establishments clearly violates the Constitution, and noted they have only been pressing for freedom of expression and listening to opposing opinion.
"Therefore, government should understand we are not ready to accept the suppression of peoples' expressions", he reiterated.
© Arab Times 2011
