More 'requests' on the cards

KUWAIT CITY, May 15: MPs Marzouq Al-Ghanem and Adel Al-Saraawi on Sunday submitted a grilling request against Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs and State Minister for Housing and Development Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al-Sabah.

This is the second grilling request presented a few days after the formation of the new government. Last Tuesday, the Popular Labor Bloc submitted a similar request against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, while several MPs have also announced their plan to grill Health Minister Dr Hilal Al-Sayer.

According to the proponents of the interpellation request against Sheikh Ahmad, they will grill the minister on the misappropriation of public funds, alleged violation of the Constitution and the law, irregularities in the bidding for some projects at the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) with an estimated total cost of KD71 million, illegal signing of a contract with the Asian Olympic Council for the construction of a building on state-owned land, violation of laws related to the development plan, misleading the public, tarnishing the image of Kuwait in the international community, and attempt to prevent the country's participation in international sports activities.

After confirming that he received the request, Parliament Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi said he has also informed the premier and Sheikh Ahmad about the grilling, which will be included in the agenda for the May 31 session.

Meanwhile, Al-Ghanem explained the issues highlighted in the grilling are related to the reputation of the State, rule of law and misuse of public funds. He asserted the reappointment of Sheikh Ahmad is a clear manifestation that the new government is bent on following the same approach, so it has become necessary for the lawmakers to reveal the truth to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and the citizens. He said they presented the grilling on Sunday in order not to coincide with the interpellation of the prime minister. He added Sheikh Ahmad did not fulfill his promise to submit a report on the first annual development plan to the Financial Affairs Committee on April 15, 2011.

Al-Ghanem lauded the previous statement of Sheikh Ahmad that he is ready to face the grilling in an open session. "We hope he remains committed to his promise and does not insist on referring the grilling motion to the Legislative Affairs Committee or the Constitutional Court, as he had pushed for the resignation of the previous government," he added.

On the other hand, Al-Saraawi urged Sheikh Ahmad to put his words into action, especially his promise to face the grilling. He hopes the minister does not obstruct the interpellation process as he had done earlier.

Commenting on the issue, MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan reaffirmed the right of lawmakers to present grilling requests but those submitted against Sheikh Ahmad and the prime minister are just attempts to settle personal scores. However, he still urged the premier to face the grilling, especially if he believes he still got the support of the majority, to clarify the interpellation points, so he can focus on more important issues.

MP Abdulrahman Al-Anjari also called on the government to face the grilling, instead of referring it to the Constitutional Court or the Legislative Affairs Committee. He said he fully supports the grilling request submitted by his colleagues in the National Action Bloc.

As one of the proponents of the grilling against Sheikh Nasser, Al-Anjari stressed that the decision on the validity of the request is under the sole jurisdiction of the National Assembly.

MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun also expressed his full support to the grilling against Sheikh Ahmad, adding that the premier should also be questioned on the delayed formation of the new government and reappointment of ministers who had been subjected to parliamentary inquests.

In the meantime, MP Saifi Al-Saifi unveiled his plan to submit an interpellation request against the health minister after the grilling of the premier and Sheikh Ahmad. He also emphasized the need to present interpellation requests at the right time to avoid confusion on the issues. He denied allegations that he is preparing the request, in coordination with MP Saadoun Hammad, as he intends to submit the grilling on his own. He said he respects his colleagues who effectively practice their constitutional and legislative role to hold erring officials accountable and work in the interest of the public.

Hammad, on the other hand, confirmed the grilling request against Al-Sayer is ready but it will not be submitted until the completion of the interpellation of Sheikhs Nasser and Ahmad.

MP Hassan Jowhar clarified he supports the two grilling motions, in principle, but he has reservations on the timing, because both were submitted just a few days after the formation of the new government.
Moreover, the Development and Reform Bloc met Sunday in the presence of MP Mohammad Hayef to discuss the two grilling requests, in addition to their plan to submit another interpellation against the prime minister.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, official spokesperson of the bloc, MP Dr Faisal Al-Muslim, said they support the grilling requests against the premier and Sheikh Ahmad. He added the reappointment of Sheikh Nasser is enough justification for the submission of the grilling requests.

© Arab Times 2011