DRB threatens Al-Shamali with grilling

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 13: In the ongoing controversy about money said to have been deposited into the bank accounts of some MPs the Public Prosecution will soon request the Central Bank of Kuwait to send detailed information about the bank accounts of some lawmakers, the source of money said to have been deposited into their accounts and reasons for depositing the money, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting a knowledgeable legal source.

The source said this came following complaints received by the Public Prosecution about suspicious money transactions and money laundering activities involving some lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the Al-Jaridah daily quoting reliable sources said an Islamic bank, believed to be the Kuwait Finance House, will send details of bank accounts of four legislators to the Public Prosecution.

The daily added four million dinars have been deposited in the bank account of an unidentified MP from the Second Constituency, four million dinars and one million dinars into the accounts two MPs respectively from the First Constituency and another one million dinars into the account of an MP from the Fifth Constituency.

Meanwhile, the Al-Seyassah daily said a number of lawmakers plan to file lawsuits against a bank for revealing bank secrets -- details about their bank accounts -- and as a result harming their financial status and reputation.

The daily added these lawmakers have already contacted their lawyers to sue the bank as soon as possible.

Sources say the banks will also be held responsible for causing delay in sending up to date information to the Public Prosecution about money deposits and transfers in clear violation of anti-money laundering law.

Legal sources say the Public Prosecution has the right to summon suspect lawmakers for interrogation because the Parliament is in recess and the legislators do not enjoy parliamentary immunity.

Meanwhile, the Development and Reform Bloc (DRB) has threatened to submit a grilling request against Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali if the government thwarts efforts to hold an emergency parliamentary session to discuss the multimillion dinar bribery scandal, reports Al-Mostagbal daily quoting sources.

Disclosing a total of 29 lawmakers have so far signed the request, sources explained the bloc decided to subject Al-Shamali to a parliamentary inquest since he has the power to divulge details of the scam.

MP Falah Al-Sawagh has been quoted as saying that the Audit Bureau has implicated most ministers in the embezzlement of public funds. Despite this, the government has failed to take the necessary steps to address issues highlighted in the report. It has nothing in mind but to obtain the support of the parliamentary majority to overcome every interpellation, instead of focusing on national development, he added.

Meanwhile, MP Waleed Al-Tabtabaei holds HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah liable because he has total control over the government, including the finance minister. He asserted the lawmakers will not remain silent on the issue and they will do everything to uncover the truth.

On the other hand, Al-Shahid daily has reported that the Popular Labor Bloc has expressed support for a female lawmaker who intends to submit a grilling motion against the premier in the next legislative round. Sources confirmed the lawmaker has been moving around to push for the interpellation in her bid to be the first woman to grill the prime minister in the history of the National Assembly.

© Arab Times 2011