12 March 2012
KUWAIT CITY: Shiite MP Saleh Ashour's grilling request against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah is scheduled for debate Tuesday.
Constitutionally, the PM has the choice to request a two-week postponement of the grilling among other options. Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah, however, had disclosed earlier that Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah intends to face the grilling motion in an open session without delay and without referring it to the Constitutional Court or the Legislative Committee.
Ashour's grilling, the first in the 14th legislative term, is on the multi-million deposit and money transfer cases, the government's failure to provide the Assembly with its work agenda, and the issue of Bedoun (stateless) residents. Although majority of the MPs had acknowledged Ashour's right to grill HH the Prime Minister, it is unlikely a non-cooperation motion will be filed against the latter.
Agenda
Apart from the interpellation, the agenda for this week's session contains numerous draft bills prioritized by the majority, including the proposal to form two parliamentary committees, one to investigate the multi-million deposit case and another to investigate the questionable money transfers. Two more investigative committees are being sought by the majority on the alleged smuggling of diesel abroad and on audio-visual media violations.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Committee on Monday discussed issues concerning Kuwaitis detained in Guantanamo and Iran. MP Adel Al-Damkhi revealed the committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will arrange a visit next month to these places. He said the committee will release a statement to denounce the detention of Kuwaitis in these places. He also unveiled a plan to send an official delegation, consisting of parliamentarians, families of the detainees and doctors in accordance with the recommendation of the legislature. He pointed out they have the right to hire lawyers, allocate money for legal services and invite the US team appointed by the Pentagon to handle this case.
Several other issues were also discussed in the meeting, such as the annual report on human rights in Kuwait, domestic workers and the manpower authority bill, as well as the problems of Bedouns like fake passports, security restrictions and human rights.
Furthermore, the Health Committee has unanimously approved a draft bill on the establishment of an integrated medical city and it will be included in the agenda for Tuesday's session.
According to Committee Chairman MP Mubarak Al-Walaan, the panel also discussed the distribution of spoilt food products in the local market. He clarified the previous legislature presented recommendations in this regard but majority of the members of the current committee have agreed to refer the issue to the Amenities Committee, which is studying the proposed establishment of the Public Authority for Foodstuff.
The panel also tackled a number of health issues in the presence of Health Minister Undersecretary Dr Ibrahim Abdul-Hadi, hoping the incumbent Parliament will achieve more goals, including the establishment of integrated medical cities.
In the meantime, the Financial and Economic Committee has approved a proposal to amend a law on breaking monopoly and trade competition. Committee member MP Riyadh Al-Adsani said the bill, once passed, will curb the soaring prices. He asserted the price surge started in 2008 with 20 percent increase every year -- an unusual price hike rate making Kuwait one of the GCC countries with a high cost of living. He added the bill will also ensure trade competition among companies; hence, the Parliament must approve the proposal in its first reading.
Moreover, the Education, Culture and Guidance Affairs Committee has endorsed the proposed construction of Jaber University for Applied Science and the establishment of a fund to support the students who shoulder their own expenses.
Committee member MP Dr Khalid Al-Shukhair confirmed the two bills will be referred soon to the Parliament, indicating the panel has presented a recommendation to the Education Minister on the cancellation of a decision on limiting the number of students accepted in each university to 50.
KUWAIT CITY: Shiite MP Saleh Ashour's grilling request against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah is scheduled for debate Tuesday.
Constitutionally, the PM has the choice to request a two-week postponement of the grilling among other options. Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah, however, had disclosed earlier that Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah intends to face the grilling motion in an open session without delay and without referring it to the Constitutional Court or the Legislative Committee.
Ashour's grilling, the first in the 14th legislative term, is on the multi-million deposit and money transfer cases, the government's failure to provide the Assembly with its work agenda, and the issue of Bedoun (stateless) residents. Although majority of the MPs had acknowledged Ashour's right to grill HH the Prime Minister, it is unlikely a non-cooperation motion will be filed against the latter.
Agenda
Apart from the interpellation, the agenda for this week's session contains numerous draft bills prioritized by the majority, including the proposal to form two parliamentary committees, one to investigate the multi-million deposit case and another to investigate the questionable money transfers. Two more investigative committees are being sought by the majority on the alleged smuggling of diesel abroad and on audio-visual media violations.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Committee on Monday discussed issues concerning Kuwaitis detained in Guantanamo and Iran. MP Adel Al-Damkhi revealed the committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will arrange a visit next month to these places. He said the committee will release a statement to denounce the detention of Kuwaitis in these places. He also unveiled a plan to send an official delegation, consisting of parliamentarians, families of the detainees and doctors in accordance with the recommendation of the legislature. He pointed out they have the right to hire lawyers, allocate money for legal services and invite the US team appointed by the Pentagon to handle this case.
Several other issues were also discussed in the meeting, such as the annual report on human rights in Kuwait, domestic workers and the manpower authority bill, as well as the problems of Bedouns like fake passports, security restrictions and human rights.
Furthermore, the Health Committee has unanimously approved a draft bill on the establishment of an integrated medical city and it will be included in the agenda for Tuesday's session.
According to Committee Chairman MP Mubarak Al-Walaan, the panel also discussed the distribution of spoilt food products in the local market. He clarified the previous legislature presented recommendations in this regard but majority of the members of the current committee have agreed to refer the issue to the Amenities Committee, which is studying the proposed establishment of the Public Authority for Foodstuff.
The panel also tackled a number of health issues in the presence of Health Minister Undersecretary Dr Ibrahim Abdul-Hadi, hoping the incumbent Parliament will achieve more goals, including the establishment of integrated medical cities.
In the meantime, the Financial and Economic Committee has approved a proposal to amend a law on breaking monopoly and trade competition. Committee member MP Riyadh Al-Adsani said the bill, once passed, will curb the soaring prices. He asserted the price surge started in 2008 with 20 percent increase every year -- an unusual price hike rate making Kuwait one of the GCC countries with a high cost of living. He added the bill will also ensure trade competition among companies; hence, the Parliament must approve the proposal in its first reading.
Moreover, the Education, Culture and Guidance Affairs Committee has endorsed the proposed construction of Jaber University for Applied Science and the establishment of a fund to support the students who shoulder their own expenses.
Committee member MP Dr Khalid Al-Shukhair confirmed the two bills will be referred soon to the Parliament, indicating the panel has presented a recommendation to the Education Minister on the cancellation of a decision on limiting the number of students accepted in each university to 50.
© Arab Times 2012
