KUWAIT CITY - The Popular Bloc has refuted reports about MP Hassan Jowhar joining the bloc, reports Al-Dar daily. The daily quoted sources from the bloc as saying MP Jowhar will hold a press conference Sunday to answer questions and clarify the rumor. Meanwhile, the sources explained recent meetings between the bloc and Jawhar were aimed at coordinating on environmental issues, besides other means of providing a unified parliamentary vision to solve these issues. Moreover, at the moment, the bloc is busily preparing a grilling request against the prime minister for negligence in confronting key issues. In a related development, bloc member MP Musallam Al-Barrack has declared the members of the bloc had independent opinions and positions during a recent meeting of the bloc with a number of MPs, among Saifi Al-Saifi, Hussein Mezyad, Ali Al-Deqbasi and Hassan Jawhar. On the possibility of the MP joining the bloc, he said it was quite early to talk about that. But a question in his support for a grilling request against the premier revealed his stance will be announced after reading the pivots of the grilling. The Popular Bloc has allegedly started preparations to increase its members and study positions of new members, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.
According to a reliable source, MP Mubarak Al-Waalan has refuted rumors that he applied for membership of the bloc, asserting nobody has approached him in this regard but he expressed his respect for members of the group. The source affirmed the bloc held an important meeting at the diwaniya of MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun recently in which Jowhar expressed his ideas on the new agenda, issues and members in a bid to return to the group. He said the MP pleaded with the bloc to limit its opposition against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and give him enough time to prove his abilities. He also pointed out that taking hardline steps has drastically affected the popularity of the group among citizens. He added Jowhar has yet to decide on his return to the group due to several contentious issues, such as the lack of support for his grilling proposal and the bloc's position on the eulogy of Imad Moughniya.
Meanwhile, MP Falah Mutlaq Al-Azmi has underscored the importance of the citizens' loans issue, especially since the Fund for the Needy has failed to resolve it properly, reports Al-Rai daily. Imploring the government to purchase the loans and reschedule payment to help citizens overcome their financial burdens, Al-Azmi confirmed the National Assembly will take the initiative in the next legislative round in case the government fails to take the necessary measures. He said his determination to pursue the issue is not for political reasons or personal aggrandizement, but due to his belief in it.
Al-Azmi also called for putting the environmental issue on top of the agenda in the next legislative round, especially after the Mishref sewage plant disaster. He stressed the need to quickly address the environmental issues, citing the hazardous situation in Umm Al-Haiman as one of those that require immediate attention and lasting solution. He said internal rifts among lawmakers as major impediments to national development, so he craved for cooperation among his colleagues during the next round for meaningful performances. "We should be wary of adverse consequences of sectarian and tribal inclinations if we are keen on making a meaningful impact on society and achieve harmony among citizens," Al-Azmi concluded.
© Arab Times 2009
