KUWAIT: Kuwait's prime minister is expected to announce the new Cabinet today (Monday) so that the swearing-in ceremony can be held tomorrow, ahead of the Parliament's inaugural session on Wednesday. His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah wasted no time in holding discussions to find best ways to overcome obstacles created by different opinions voiced by the ruling family, as well as decision of the recent election winners to decline invitations to join the Cabinet.
It has been reported that the Popular Action Bloc (PAB), Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM) and the Islamic Salafist Assembly opted against allowing members to accept a ministerial post. As per the country's laws, Kuwait's Cabinet must include at least one elected parliament member during formation. According to sources, the prime minister may consider resigning from prime minister's post if no MP accepts an offer to join the Cabinet.
MP , Dr Mohammad Al-Kandari said on Saturday that the ICM is reconsidering its decision to not join the Cabinet. The same statement can be made simultaneously, with reports hinting that this dilemma has been resolved with MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri likely to accept an invitation to become a minister. Al-Muwaizri did not comment on the subject when contacted, Al-Qabas reported.
Meanwhile, the National Islamic Alliance nominated Dr Fadhel Safar to represent it in the next Cabinet, announced MP Ahmad Lari on Sunday. Safar has been Kuwait's Minister of Public Works and State Minister of Municipality Affairs since May 2008.
In other news, Islamist lawmakers plan to amend to Article 79 of the Constitution which lays down that that no law may be promulgated unless it has been passed by the National Assembly and sanctioned by the Amir. The MPs reportedly want to add the clause "and is in line with Sharia law" to the article. "In addition, no regulations can be passed unless they comply with Sharia regulations. Article 79 allows the modification of existing laws that are not in conformity with the Sharia Law," said sources. This is the second proposal to follow the announcement to amend Article 2, rendering Sharia law as the only source of legislation. Al-Qabas.
Reporters yesterday said that MP Dr Faisal Al-Mislem hosted a meeting at his dewaniya yesterday for "conservative lawmakers. " This is so that signatories would sign a "code of honor" to commit to an agenda of political and social reform. "The agenda adopts efforts to enforce anticorruption and wealth disclosure regulations, as well as establishing a Kuwaiti human rights commission," said ICM member MP Osama Al-Shaheen. Meanwhile, Al-Mislem told Al-Rai that the agenda provides a roadmap "that can save Kuwait if the Cabinet adopts it," further explaining that it helps eliminate corruption from government work and introduces adjustments that improve citizens' living conditions, reported Al-Rai.
© Kuwait Times 2012
