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'Bedoon issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible'
KUWAIT: According to Nayef Al-Sour Al-Mutairi, a candidate running from the fourth constituency, the most urgent issues Kuwaitis face are housing, withdrawal of citizenships and economic problems, all of which need strict legislations. Sour was a member of the Municipal Council before he resigned to contest the National Assembly elections. He was the head of the Farwaniya committee and rapporteur of the Jahra committee in the council.
In an exclusive interview with Kuwait Times, Sour said the bedoon issue is a humanitarian one that needs to be resolved as soon as possible to give stateless people due rights. “Many of them deserve the honor of Kuwaiti citizenship,” he stressed, adding that he disapproves of the DNA law because some fatwas prohibit it, while His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has given instructions to amend it.
Overburdened
Kuwait Times: What is the reason behind your decision to run for the elections?
Nayef Al-Sour: Citizens are overburdened; there is a lack of seriousness in resolving many problems and the fact that the coming parliament needs an infusion of fresh blood to achieve the best for the country.
KT: What are the main issues in your electoral program?
Sour: The most urgent issues for citizens include housing, withdrawal of citizenships and economic reforms, which all need strict legislations to be resolved.
KT: What do you think of the previous parliament?
Sour: My opinion about the previous parliament matches what many observers and critics have been saying – during its tenure, citizens suffered the most as a result of its unstudied decisions.
KT: How do you view the participation of the opposition in this election?
Sour: Running for parliamentary elections is not restricted to certain groups or people. Whoever sees himself fit and worthwhile to make achievements can run in the elections without resorting to unjustified conflicts.
KT: Do you think any women will make it to the coming parliament?
Sour: Compared to the number of male candidates, the number of female candidates in these elections is relatively low, and I do not think any of them will make it to the coming parliament.
KT: What percentage of change do you expect in the new parliament?
Sour: There will surely be some change in the coming parliament, and this is clear from the fact that many former MPs are running. However, I expect turnover will not be more than 50 percent.
KT: What percentage of participation do you expect?
Sour: I expect a higher turnout compared to the previous elections. I fact, I expect more than 60 percent of voters to take part because people are aware of the significance of their participation.
Program
KT: What is the basis of your electoral program?
Sour: It is based on various issues of great concern for citizens, such as the housing problem that had been the focus of my career in the municipal council and resulted in allocating many lands to build new cities to the north, in addition to the economic issue and withdrawal of citizenships.
KT: Some previous MPs made promises they could not keep. What do you think of that?
Sour: No parliament is devoid of broken or false promises, and this ought to be taken into consideration by candidates before making any statements. They should not make hasty remarks, especially if the matter is of concern to a segment of citizens.
KT: Is the bedoon issue on your electoral program?
Sour: The bedoon issue is a humanitarian one that needs to be resolved as soon as possible to give stateless people due rights, because many of them have made considerable sacrifices for Kuwait, including being martyred or taken as POWs during the Iraqi invasion in 1990. Many of them deserve the honor of Kuwaiti citizenship.
KT: What do you think of the DNA law?
Sour: I totally disapprove of it, because many fatwas have been issued by sheikhs prohibiting it. In addition, HH the Amir has called for amending the law.
KT: What is your view about writing off loans?
Sour: Kuwaiti citizens deserve to have their loans written off and not be overburdened. It is also a must to reward those who did not take out any bank loans.
© Kuwait Times 2016
