KUWAIT CITY, Nov 28: Thousands of people, including lawmakers, trade union representatives, members of youth movements, professionals and student groups, participated in the biggest opposition rally so far at the Erada Square Monday evening.

According to the organizers, around 70,000 protesters gathered at the square to demand the dissolution of the Parliament, fresh elections, release of activists detained for storming the legislative building, and the accountability of HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the ministers and corrupt MPs.

A few hours before the rally, HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah accepted the resignation of the premier and the ministers and ordered the Cabinet to serve as interim executive authority to handle issues that require immediate attention until a new government is formed.

Speaking at the gathering, MP Mohammad Al-Mutair asserted those who stormed the Parliament building are patriotic, because they tried to combat corruption. “If only the youths know how much money the bribe-taking MPs have taken from the nation’s coffers, they would have broken into the legislative building during the day, not at night. The voters should be wise in choosing their representatives; they have to elect competent and honest lawmakers. They should punish the bribe-taking MPs by not electing them to the Parliament,” he added.

Al-Mutair called for the immediate release of the detained activists, hoping they will come out as honorable people who are proud of serving the interests of Kuwait.

Meanwhile, MP Musallam Al-Barrak urged the Amir to dissolve the Parliament because they cannot sit down with the corrupt lawmakers. He asked the voters not to give these lawmakers a chance to enter the Parliament again. He said the people of Kuwait will never forgive Parliament Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi for demanding the detention of the activists. He also praised the activists for defending the Constitution.
During the rally, Al-Barrak presented documents showing that KD 1.2 million was deposited to the account of a lawmaker, KD 4 million for another and one has accumulated KD 1 million in his account within six months. He said these amounts were deposited into the accounts of the lawmakers some days before the grilling of the premier. “I will be forced to reveal the names of these lawmakers if they deny this information,” he warned.

MP Mohammad Hayef believes the resignation of the government is not enough; it should be followed by the dissolution of the Parliament and the release of the detained activists. He pointed out there are no alternatives; the legislature must be dissolved and the bribe-taking MPs should be referred to the Public Prosecution. He said the country is currently going through the most difficult phase in its history and the people must unite in overcoming a number of challenges.

MP Jamaan Al-Harbash asked the Amir to dissolve the Parliament, since he has accepted the resignation of the government, to rescue the country from further collapse. He said Kuwaitis usually unite in difficult times, citing as an example Abbas Al-Shaabi – a Shiite and former Fahad Al-Khanna – a Sunni, who have been detained for fighting against corruption. He affirmed the opposition will “push the bribe-taking MPs out of the Abdullah Al-Salem Hall and ensure the dissolution of the Parliament.”
Al-Harbash warned the next premier will stand on the grilling podium if he fails to stop corruption, because the Kuwaitis can no longer bear humiliation. “We will deal with the Parliament speaker, who covers up the bribe-taking MPs and called for the imprisonment of our children. I appeal to the detained activists to end their hunger strike,” he said.

MP Al-Saifi Mubarak Al-Saifi stressed the ruling family members pose a grave threat to Kuwait due to their disagreements. “The incoming government should know that the happiest man learns from the experience of others. The previous government has done nothing but to undermine national unity, beat MPs, increase the unemployment rate, pile up housing grant applications and have long queues at hospitals. The Amir should resolve conflicts between members of the family,” he added.

 MP Saleh Al-Mullah said the worst form of corruption is dividing the Kuwaiti nation into Sunnis, Shiites, tribes, sects, traders and other groups.

Meanwhile, a total of 25 student lists affiliated to the Student Force, issued a joint statement read by their representative Abdulrahman Al-Gash’an. He thanked the Nahaj Group for organizing the rally. He said, “The detained activists are free even though their hands are chained because they are combating corruption. The resignation of the government is a step in the right direction, which should be followed by the dissolution of the Parliament, strict application of the law, and punishment of the corrupt MPs and ministers. We are in dire need of a new government and parliament with a new approach to governance.
Speaking on behalf of Nahaj Group, Dr Mushari Al-Mutair, one of the activists released Sunday, pointed out the detained activists chose to be in prison rather than enjoy their life as they want to convey a strong message to the leadership that they are keen on fighting corruption. He said the government left the bribe-taking MPs and others involved in corruption alone without punishing them, instead the activists were punished for trying to combat corruption.