KUWAIT: The National Assembly committee investigating graft allegations yesterday sent new summons to former prime minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah who has refused to be questioned by the panel, the head of the committee said yesterday. MP Faisal Al-Mislem said the committee sent a letter to Sheikh Nasser asking him to attend a meeting on June 9 after the former premier declined an invitation to appear before the committee on Monday, saying the committee has no powers to question him.
The committee, formed in mid-March, is investigating allegations that Sheikh Nasser ordered the transfer of KD 87 million of public funds into his personal bank accounts abroad, an accusation he has categorically denied, saying the money was used in the service of Kuwait's interests. Sheikh Nasser based his rejection on two main reasons - that the special judicial tribunal has closed its investigation in the case for lack of evidence and that the parliamentary probe panel has no powers to summon a former prime minister as the panel can only question ministers and employees.
But in the fresh invitation, the committee reminds the former prime minister that the latest amendment of the National Assembly's internal charter gives parliamentary probe panels the power to summon officials as well as private citizens. If Sheikh Nasser continues to ignore the panel's summons, the Assembly may resort to legal action under the law. Opposition MP Musallam Al-Barrak, who was the first to expose the transfers issue, yesterday warned the former premier that no one can confront the constitution and the people. He reminded him that Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah attended the committee's meeting and took the oath, while former prime minister and Amir, the late Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, had also attended probe meetings.
In a related development, opposition MP Obaid Al-Wasmi yesterday submitted a proposal calling to abolish a law that established a special court to try only ministers or former ministers. Wasmi said on his Twitter account that since it was established about two decades ago, the court's special tribunal that investigates lawsuits against ministers has not referred a single minister for trial before the court and all its investigations were shelved. The lawmaker's move comes a few days after the special tribunal decided to end its investigation into allegations of graft against the former prime minister over transfers of public funds abroad.
MP Mubarak Al-Waalan meanwhile asked the foreign and commerce ministers several questions about reports that influential people in Kuwait, including a member of parliament, are dealing with Iranian companies in breach of the UN sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program. Waalan said that he has learned that the foreign ministry has received a request from the United States to take action against Kuwaiti individuals and companies who are breaking UN sanctions by having trade links with banned Iranian companies.
The lawmaker asked the foreign minister if the ministry has received such a request and for what reason and what measures has the ministry taken in this regard. He also asked if the ministry has taken measures inside and outside of the country to make sure that no companies or individuals are dealing with banned Iranian companies. Waalan also asked the minister of commerce and industry if any companies were established in Kuwait with the participation of companies linked to Iran and barred by the United Nations.
© Kuwait Times 2012
