KUWAIT CITY, Feb 15: The National Assembly’s 14th Legislative Term was inaugurated Wednesday with vows of cooperation from the Islamist-led parliament and the executive authority.

Nationalist MP Ahmed Al-Saadoun was elected as Speaker of Parliament amid enthusiastic applause from audience and the majority MPs, following a close battle for the position with liberal MP Mohammed Al-Saqr. The session was adjourned to the Feb 28, following national holidays.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated the MPs-elect and hoped they are able to carry out their responsibilities towards the nation and its people in the best manner possible.

Congratulate

“I would like to congratulate everybody on the voting process, which was carried out in an environment of freedom and democracy — something which was admired and commended by the people as well as Arab and international observers,” he said.

The Amir also said it was not right, that the parliament is spoken of as an “experiment” while Kuwait is celebrating the 50th year anniversary of the issuance of its Constitution.

“Instead, we should speak of a recognized accomplishment in the name of humanity and a steady and forward path that has overcome early beginnings and has withstood the storms. It is our duty to work to improve its role and achieve its aims, while learning from our past mistakes,” he added.

Furthermore, the Amir highlighted the recent unprecedented minor clashes which took place prior to the elections, which he said represent a clear breach of law, insult the pride of the people and threaten to destroy the nation. He called on the Kuwaiti people to unite.

“These are not the characteristics of bravery or freedom - we utterly reject them,” he stressed. “We totally reject any breach of the law or any attempt for people to take the law into their hands... Kuwait remains a nation of institutions and law.”

Freedoms

The Amir also warned against sedition and any attempts to counter public freedoms. He spoke of the sanctity of public funds, the principles of integrity and transparency and combating corruption in the land.

On education and youth, he called on the parliament to ensure the improvement of curricula, to that of the level of the advanced world, in addition to an expansion of initiatives aimed at the youth.

On his part, the NA’s elder speaker MP Khalid Al-Sultan, who spoke on behalf of the MPs as per Kuwait tradition, noted the importance of safeguarding the unity of the nation and to combat those who threaten it. He highlighted the issues of internal and external security, the deterioration of public services and the status of Bedoun residents.

Al-Sultan noted the changing political landscape in the surrounding region. “A cold spring has swept our Arab nations which has removed oppressive regimes. These regimes have been around for many years, by the use of repressive and ancient policies,” he stated.

He added that Kuwait was going through a spring of another kind, whereby reform policies are being implemented in reality according to the directions of the Amir. Al-Sultan stressed the total loyalty of the Kuwaiti parliament and its people towards HH the Amir and the ruling Al-Sabah family.

The elder MP also called on the nation to combat any forms of sedition and incitement of division, carried out by single entities or local tabloid media. “Kuwait we all know is one of many tribes. It does not divide between its nationals in rights and duties, it does not divide between city-dweller and Bedouin and it does not divide between Sunni and Shiite,” he said.

Al-Sultan further pointed out the need to draw clear policies that defend the unity of the nation and tackle those who attempt to disrupt it. He launched an attack on usury, which is forbidden under Islamic Sharia law and said that it was up to the nation to issue laws that abandon interest gained from personal loans to the public.

Al-Sultan called for an intervention from the Kuwaiti leadership to correct the situation in the country in order to meet the aspirations of its people. “I also hope that transparency and integrity is the key ingredient when implementing legislative laws. In addition, there should be a committee to counter all forms of corruption,” he said.

Moreover, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah stressed on the cabinet’s commitment to cooperate and work towards reform. “I myself and the ministers of my cabinet stress our wholehearted commitment to what our oath entails, and are all determinated to do our best to cooperate with the members of parliament to put your prudent advice into effect,” he said.

Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah condemned recent practices which threatened the fabric of the society, believing that “national unity is too strong to be defeated by ill-meaning deeds, reckless thought, or the odd word or notion here or there which go against the grain of Kuwaitis’ values”

He stressed the government is in the process of drafting legislation and thinking procedures aimed at preserving national unity.

“The government also stresses its sincere resolve to uphold the law, without bias, as this is the basis of reform in any society, and we would be guided in our efforts by the constitution, the principle of rule of law, and the sending of a clear and unambiguous message to all that abiding the law is a duty for us all,” Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak remarked.

Elections

Following the inauguration speeches, all 65 MPs and ministers took their oath in front of the assembly. The assembly then elected veteran MP Ahmed Al-Saadoun as Speaker of Parliament with 38 votes. He beat his rival MP Mohammed Al-Saqer who got 26 votes out of total 64 votes. One minister is believed to have abstained.

However, a loud but minor clash of words erupted before the election when elder MP and acting speaker Al-Sultan decided the ballot should be done in secret with paper, instead of the electronic mechanism.

MPs Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Ali Al-Rashid and Mohammed Al-Saqr as well as Shiite MPs Abdulhamid Dashti, Hussein Al-Qallaf and Adnan Al-Mutawa objected to the decision.

Al-Marzouq argued that the voting mechanism had not been changed for a number of years and questioned the reasons the traditional method was chosen for this election. He further accused a tactic was formulated between the Al-Sultan and opposition MPs. However, MP Musallam Al-Barrak stated that the acting speaker had the right to set the voting method as per internal regulations.

Following the election, Al-Sadoun expressed pride at being voted as speaker. “I would like to express gratitude to all who have assigned me to act as speaker and all who have chosen to keep an MP. I pray to God, that he will keep me able to carry out this responsibility,” he said.

The legislative authority shall carry out its role, in keeping an eye on the government’s performance, he underlined. He also commended the past legislative term’s achievements, which he said, succeeded in adopting several laws.

Furthermore, Al-Saqr graciously congratulated Al-Saadoun for his win and extended a hand of cooperation.

The new speaker will carry out his role for the remainder of the legislative term’s duration. Al-Sadoun, 77, was voted into the National Assembly on many occasions. He was elected speaker in the sixth, seventh and eighth legislative terms.

Meanwhile, MP Khalid Sultan was elected by a majority vote as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. He got 35 votes topping his competitors — MP Adnan Abulsammad secured 24 votes while MP Obaid Al-Murairi scored only six.

Al-Sultan was born in 1940, holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and served as MP in several legislative terms.

Furthermore, MP Abdullah Al-Bargash was elected as Secretary of the Parliament with 34 votes against his rival MP Riyadh Al-Adsani who secured 30 votes. MP Faisal Al-Yahya contested unopposed for the position of Observer of the Parliament and won the title.

The Parliament also elected the members of its permanent committees and MP Marzouq Al-Ghanim along with other colleagues submitted the first draft bill proposal of this legislative term on national unity.