KUWAIT CITY, Dec 4: The pro-government MPs have demanded the formation of a parliamentary committee to probe into allegations that HH the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al-Nahyan has transferred 200 million Qatari riyals to the account of MP Musallam Al-Barrak.
MP Saadoun Hammad admitted he was shocked after reading a report published Sunday by Al-Shahed daily that the Qatari premier has purportedly transferred a huge amount to the account of Al-Barrak, especially since the transaction date — June 1, 2011 — coincided with the submission of some grilling requests. He wondered if this money was used to buy political loyalty in Kuwait.

Disclosing his plan to collect signatures to request the formation of a parliamentary investigative panel, Hammad said the request will be forwarded to the legislature in its next session, if it is not dissolved. He pointed out he had previously talked about the ‘godfather’, opposition MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun, who received gifts like land worth 100 million riyals, but his colleagues did not believe him and even asked him to retract his statement. He added if the recipient of the 200 million riyals denies this information, he will present documents to prove the allegations. He appealed to the Kuwaiti leaders not to remain silent over the interference of outsiders in the internal affairs of the nation. He also emphasized the need to verify the information through diplomatic ways. “It is unacceptable that other nations interfere in our affairs. I had earlier talked about the ‘godfather’ and now the recipient of the 200 million riyals. Another MP, Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, who collected a cheque for KD 50,000 under his name from the former premier as donation for a charity organization, raised suspicions when he stayed in Qatar for one week,” he lamented.

On the other hand, MP Mikhled Al-Azmi asserted the multimillion deposit scandal and the suspicious money transfers pose a grave threat to the nation. He said the situation is getting worse and this requires unity among the people to address the issue before it gets out of hand. He pointed out it has become necessary to look into the accounts of MPs in and outside the country. He expressed disappointment over the continued silence of the opposition MPs on the alleged involvement of some of them in the questionable money transfer issue. “They should protect the reputation of the Parliament and refrain from using double standards in dealing with such issues,” he added.

MP Khalid Al-Adwah reiterated calls for the formation of an investigative panel to verify reports on the money transferred from Qatar to the accounts of some lawmakers. “We have the right to know the actual motive of Qatar in interfering with our affairs,” he said.

MP Dr Salwa Al-Jassar argued the people of Kuwait must know the truth. She believes the issue must be referred to the Kuwaiti court, considering there are indications that some citizens have links with foreign bodies.

MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri, the first opposition lawmaker to comment on the alleged transfer of money from Qatar to the account of Al-Barrak, warned this will negatively affect Kuwait’s relations with Qatar and other neighboring countries. He argued the judicial system in Kuwait is fair, so if anyone has information on these allegations he should lodge a complaint at the Public Prosecution, instead of damaging the reputation of others. He cited as an example the multimillion deposit case, which has been referred to the prosecution along with the names of 15 MPs implicated in the scandal. He added there is no link between this issue and the existence of the Parliament or its dissolution, because there is a new executive authority with the power to refer the case to the persecution.

Meanwhile, several lawmakers on Sunday called for the lifting of immunity off the MPs who are suspended of taking bribes and money laundering before the expected parliament dissolution MP Mubarak Al-Khurnaij said the case must be made transport as it affects the reputation  of all members of parliament.

Compliance with court rulings and advocating the truth is in everyone’s interests, he added.
MP Hussien Al-Huraiti, meanwhile, said that the Legal and Legislative Committee is ready to review any request, to lift MPs’ immunity, by the Public Prosecution. He said that a committee meeting was adjourned on Sunday due to lack of quorum, however, an immunity withdrawal request by the prosecution on the case of the multi-million dinar deposits or the parliament break-in has not been received to date.

The panel chairman assured that his committee will resume its work look into prosecution requests, even if against him, until the parliament is dissolved.

Al-Huraiti further added that rumors are constantly circulating on the amounts within suspicious accounts belonging to lawmakers, however he urged those with information to turn-in evidence to the public prosecution or they will be perceived as accomplices. He revealed he filed lawsuits against those who’ve made false claims against him and his family in attempts to harm his parliament record.
Al-Huraiti assured he is the subject of ruthless defamatory attacks because he supported the removal of a grilling request by MPs Ahmed Al-Saadoun and Abdulrahman Al-Anjari against former PM, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah. He explained the attacks are in preparation for the upcoming parliament elections.

Al-Huraiti expressed his hope that the financial scandal case, and the bribed MPs, will be uncovered to the Kuwaiti people before the parliament is dissolved. He expressed surprise that opposition MPs are urging the dissolution before the case is revealed.