KUWAIT CITY, Feb 19: Lawmakers have criticized the decision of Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Affairs Mazen Al-Nahed to increase the prices of construction materials. MP Hamdan Al-Azmi warned that the decision will harm almost 20,000 families who obtained a permit for the construction of their houses. He stressed the need to cancel the decision immediately, especially since it is not an urgent issue. He said Al- Nahed should not instigate another crisis through the issuance of such a provocative decision.

MP Thamer Al-Suwait pointed out that while lawmakers are doing their best to ratify laws aimed at alleviating the suffering of citizens, Al-Nahed took a decision against the interests of citizens. He asserted the decision is aimed at granting benefits to the undeserving. He called on His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to rectify the errors of his government.

MP Hani Shams urged the minister to cancel his decision, indicating Al-Nahed should have protected the citizens from greedy traders; especially since the amount of housing loan is not enough for building a house.

MP Falah Al-Hajri appealed to His Highness the Prime Minister to counter the decision of Al-Nahed, describing it as manipulation of the prices of construction materials. In another development, a number of lawmakers voiced objection to the decision of Minister of Justice, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Minister of State for Integrity Promotion Abdulaziz Majed Al-Majed to cancel the exemption of employees in some departments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs from the official working hours specified by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

MP Mubarak Al-Tasha asserted the minister is known for his lack of commitment to comply with laws. He accused Al-Majed of challenging the employees, considering the decision is aimed at disrupting the work in Holy Quran institutes like Dar-Al-Quran under the pretext of enforcing laws. He called for exclusion of Al-Majed from the next government.

MP Osama Al-Shaheen wondered why the minister took such a decision at a time many countries throughout the world are adopting flexible working hours and online work, which have been proven to be effective socially and economically. He said the decision is against the current, while stressing that Al-Majed is a member of the resigned government. MP Muhammad Hayef Al-Mutairi warned Al- Majed that he will be subjected to grilling if he gets re-appointed to the next government and does not cancel the decision By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff