KUWAIT CITY: Passing a law on the establishment of political parties in the country is not the priority of Kuwaitis at this time, since they constitute a homogenous group with representatives in the Parliament while both the Constitution and the law guarantee their civil and social rights, the People and National Interests Defense Group told the Arab Times Tuesday. Arguing this is not the right time to pass the political parties law, the group stressed it is illogical for some political blocs to demand a political party government and a majority rule in the Parliament while the country has the Amir whose doors are open to all Kuwaitis. "He is a compassionate father from the generous Al-Sabah family, who works for the nation and its people. He is different from political parties that focus on their own interests and instigate disagreements with other parties to gain power," the group contended. The group claimed there are legal and constitutional flaws in the proposed political parties bill but refuse to delve into the issue, adding "this is not the right time to explain our reservations on the proposal.'
Asked about the head of the political party government, the group believes the leader of this government should be from the Al-Sabah family to ensure balance amongst Kuwaitis with different groups and win the trust of all citizens as a leader outside this family will only work for his party's interests. The group also pointed out the political party system's failure in some countries, especially where leaders rule with an iron hand. In this case, a leader turns against his political party, oppresses the people, and works for his own interests, similar to what happened during Saddam Hussein's regime.
On the grilling of the prime minister, the group admitted MPs have the right to grill ministers at any time or under any convincing circumstances. "No one should question the constitutional rights of MPs to grill erring ministers even the MPs themselves, government members or any other groups because this is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution as stipulated in Article 100, which states that all members of the Parliament have the right to grill the ministers and the premier," the group opined.
Meanwhile, several MPs on Tuesday expressed their discontent over a Cabinet resolution to cancel the citizenship of five individuals who, according to MP Ahmad Al-Mulaifi, are not qualified after Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid Al-Sabah granted them citizenship earlier this year.
The Cabinet on Monday announced its decision after its weekly meeting -- a move considered by many as an attempt to reconcile with Al-Mulaifi, who is expected to submit a request to grill HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Thursday.
MP Dr Hassan Jowhar said "this is the first time that a threat to grill the premier has been used to blackmail the Cabinet. Stripping these individuals of their nationality due to a political bargain is more disastrous than the possible dissolution of the Parliament. How could the Cabinet affirm these people are worthy of the Kuwaiti citizenship only to rescind its decision later? Who is responsible for this mistake?"
Demanding a clear explanation from the Cabinet, Jowhar said MPs will look into this resolution. "Grilling the prime minister is a taboo that should be confronted. Interpolating a member of the royal family used to be a red line but we bypassed that time in our history," he concluded. Criticizing the move, MP Dr Nasser Al-Sane wondered why the Cabinet took such a decision, saying these individuals were either unworthy of this citizenship and should have not obtained it in the first place or they were worthy of it but the Cabinet's resolution has hidden motives.
Al-Sane pointed out MPs have no idea why the citizenship is granted to some applicants while others don't get it but "we gather information from newspapers and official statements." He also stressed the importance of abiding by the laws and regulations including the law on granting citizenship.
Asked if this Cabinet move is an attempt to bridge a gap between Al-Mulaifi and the Cabinet, Al-Sane stated "we don't have any information about this but we are aware of Al-Mulaifi's intention to grill the prime minister and the Cabinet took a number of resolutions in this regard. However, we remain in the dark regarding Al-Mulaifi's response to these resolutions".
Meanwhile, MP Adnan Abdulsamad considered this decision as a "solid proof of the need to review the naturalization file ". He said there is a law on granting citizenship that stipulates broad guidelines on who should be naturalized. "The Kuwaiti citizenship is not a loan that can be given and taken back freely," he asserted.
By Abubakar A. Ibrahim and Dahlia Kholaif
© Arab Times 2008
