Finmin says will face two grillings
KUWAIT CITY: MP Riyadh Al-Adsani has forwarded a question to Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shimali, in his capacity as the official in charge of the General Customs Department, on the alleged entry of a Saudi-bound truck full of unlicensed weapons into Kuwait.
In a recent press statement, Al-Adsani disclosed the owner of the truck was arrested on April 13 when the security officers found 223 unlicensed weapons made in Turkey inside the heavy vehicle. He asked about the identities of the officers, who inspected the contents of the truck and allowed it to enter the country, pointing out the heavy vehicle was heading towards Saudi Arabia through Nuwaiseeb Border.
Al-Adsani asked the minister, "Did the concerned authority investigate the incident? If yes, what is the outcome of the investigation? If no, why did the authority fail to probe into the incident, considering it happened one month ago?"
On the other hand, Al-Rai daily quoted Al-Shimali as saying he will face the two interpellation motions presented against him. He asserted he has no intention to resign and his responses to the grilling points will surprise everyone.
Last week, MPs Obaid Al-Wasmi submitted a grilling request against Al-Shimali on the bank loan policies and the alleged financial violations in his ministry. Immediately after the submission of this request, a group of lawmakers, consisting of Musallam Al-Barrak, Khaled Al-Tahoos and Abdulrahman Al-Anjari, took a similar step to grill the minister on issues related to the Al-Zour Station, bank interests, the alleged preferential treatment given to certain financial institutions at the expense of the public, and non-implementation of the State Property Law.
In another development, Al-Shimali confirmed the proposed salary increment for public sector workers not covered by the previous pay raise schemes has been forwarded to the National Assembly for approval.
He said the increment, once approved, will be paid retroactively starting from April.
© Kuwait Times 2012
