Put differences aside, focus on reform

KUWAIT CITY, June 20: The National Assembly held its inaugural session on Tuesday, during which His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah conveyed the congratulatory message of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah to the MPs for winning the trust of citizens.

Members of the National Assembly (deputies, the premier and ministers) on Tuesday took the constitutional oath at the beginning of the first ordinary session of the 17th legislative term. As per Article 91 of the Kuwaiti Constitution, newly elected members of parliament shall take the constitutional oath during an open parliamentary session. Cabinet ministers are considered to be deputies of the 50-member parliament in their ministerial capacity.

His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah inaugurated the first ordinary session of the 17th legislative term of the newly elected parliament earlier on Tuesday. His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah urged Tuesday parliament members to focus on reforms “for the sake of Kuwait” with objective of meeting aspirations of citizens to achieve prosperous future. “We are facing a new phase” during which MPs should focus on reforms, a phase full of aspirations and hopes with the ultimate objective of achieving a prosperous future under leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Deputy Amir, at the inauguration of the first ordinary session of the 17th term of the National Assembly. He underlined that there was not “room for the waste of time” on confl icts and settling of scores, triggering crises and irresponsible practices, which were a source of dismay and an obstacle for achievements, and “we will not allow this to happen”. “We are confident of your awareness to achieve aspirations of citizens in order for our nation to remain a beacon for humanity, a hub for diplomacy and a pioneer in development,” he said.

His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince, who noted the world world praised the democratic practice in the State of Kuwait, urged MPs to activate cooperation with the government in order to address all sources of tension. “You should promote democratic practices, focus on boosting the supervisory role of the National Assembly, activate the legislative role to achieve aspirations of citizens and give the government enough time to achieve and to wisely use the constitutional tools - if there are any - in order to maintain the genuine practice of democracy,” he added. His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince urged lawmakers to consider “social justice” in their demands, which should maintain, develop and diversify the wealth of the nation … as well as accomplish late legislations that serve the nation and people .. be responsible to dealing with different circumstances in line with interest of the country.” He also called upon citizens to contribute to development of the nation and maintaining its national unity.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said Tuesday that the democratic approach can only be achieved with the unity of the people of Kuwait. This came during His Highness’ speech in the opening of the first ordinary session of the 17th term of the National Assembly. His Highness also said that “we are living in a new era that needs a new vision of national work based on the foundations of reform, commitment to wisdom, and the effective participation and joint work to achieve the aspirations of the people.” “Justice, the rule of law, seriousness in applying it to everyone without exception, equal opportunities for all citizens, fighting corruption and eliminating it from its sources, preserving public money, and consolidating the state of institutions, are all basic pillars that the government is keen to respect and work to achieve,” His Highness added.

Sheikh Ahmad said that positive cooperation based on the principle of open and democratic dialogue in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution together constitute the supporting basis for putting the relationship between the two authorities on the right track in a manner that ensures the stability of the state, achieves its higher interests, and advances the fundamentals of its renaissance. Moreover, the premier noted that the government looks forward to a fruitful relationship with the new parliament, and will present its program of work in implementation of the provisions of Article (98) of the constitution, including all the priorities of the next period, which are realistic and feasible for implementation according to a specific timetable in order to ensure meeting the aspirations of citizens. “We are aware of the impact of the dangerous current conditions the region and the world are facing, therefore, it is our responsibility to take serious reform measures to protect Kuwait’s stability,” His Highness the Prime Minister said. He underlined the need for real partnership and cooperation in protecting the country’s unity, refraining from dispute and de-escalating tensions between the two authorities. As part of its duties in accordance with article 98 of the Kuwaiti constitution, the government will present a program on priorities that need to be executed within specific time, including development issues, he noted.

The program includes taking serious measures to establish economic zones north, south and west of the country, with a total space of 19 square km, to provide environmental, storing, commercial and industrial services with international partnerships, while also allowing the private sector to achieve developmental goals as part of the Kuwait 2035 vision, His Highness said. The program is also involved with means of achieving transparency and integrity in the government’s work. This includes fighting corruption, protecting public money and bringing to justice those who violate the law, His Highness Sheikh Ahmad affirmed. Meanwhile, he called on both the government and the National Assembly to reform economy through executing laws that support monetary policy, in the light of the unstable conditions in international oil markets. “Our reform and development journey must occur in a democratic environment for the benefit of our country and the Kuwaiti people,” he added.

The upcoming phase is challenging and tough, thus serious cooperation between the government and the Assembly is much needed to overcome these difficulties, His Highness concluded. Members of the National Assembly elected MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun as Speaker for the 17th legislative term, during its first ordinary session on Tuesday.

The government members have left Abdullah Al-Salem Hall prior to the vote, ensuring the statement made by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs, that the government would take a neutral stance regarding the vote.

According to Article 92 of the Kuwaiti constitution and article 28 of the assembly regulations, the MPs are tasked with electing a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker during its first session.

Al-Saadoun, born in 1934, had previously headed the assembly in 1985, 1992 and 1996 and was elected as MP for 10 consecutive legislative terms since 1975. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Tuesday a cable of congratulations to Ahmad Al-Saadoun on being elected new parliament speaker. His Highness the Amir wished Speaker Al-Saadoun success to achieve the people’s ambitions for progress and prosperity.

His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Tuesday a cable to Ahmad Al-Saadoun on being elected by acclamation as new parliament speaker. His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince wished Speaker Al-Saadoun success to achieve the people’s amibitions for progress and prosperity.

His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sent Tuesday a cable to Ahmad Al- Saadoun on being elected as new parliament speaker. Freshly re-elected Speaker of the National Assembly Ahmad Al-Saadoun on Tuesday affirmed MPs’ desire to cooperate with the government to tackle agreed-upon issues and attain people of Kuwait’s aspirations. Al-Saadoun, a veteran legislator, affirmed after he was elected uncontested to head the assembly for the 17th legislative term and lauded the government affirmation with respect of the ministers’ willingness to cooperate with the parliament, emphasizing necessity of pursuing coordination on agreed-upon proposals. He expressed gratitude to the MPS and the Kuwaiti people for responding to appeal by the political leadership to “choose soundly and correct the approach,” labelling as unprecedented outcome of the National Assembly elections (Umma 2023).

Al-Saadoun indicated that he sensed the enormous responsibility on his shoulders as chairman of the assembly. The experienced senior lawmaker, humbly, added that he believed that “he was not the best of the attendees for manning the post,” and that it was destiny that he won it, again. A contender, MP Daoud Maarefi, had withdrawn from the contest for the speakership, thus Al-Saadoun was named for the post.

Prince wished Deputy Speaker Al-Mutair success to achieve the people’s amibitions for progress and prosperity. Chosen as temporary parliament speaker as he is the oldest MP, Marzouq Al-Azmi stressed Tuesday the importance of cooperation between the National Assembly and the government to achieve the Kuwaiti people’s aspirations. This came during Al-Azmi’s speech in the opening of the first ordinary session of the 17th term of the National Assembly.

“The efforts of the legislative and executive authorities must combine to produce the best possible legislative, political and executive reform projects so that Kuwait can enjoy a parliament that reflects the wishes of its honorable people,” said Al-Azmi. Furthermore, Al-Azmi stressed that the only and safest path to achieve the aspirations of the Kuwaiti people in terms of structural reforms and future achievements lies in sincere cooperation between the government and its members and strengthening coordination between the legislative and executive authorities.

He added that the country now is in dire need of political stability that could only be ensured by taking precautions and learning lessors amid the surrounding crises, challenges and risks. Al-Azmi hoped that the new assembly would be up to the expectations of the Kuwaiti people under the wise direction of the political leadership and with the sincere help of the government. National Assembly’s Speaker Ahmad Al- Saadoun adjourned the assembly’s ordinary session on Tuesday until July 4 and 5.

The 17th National Assembly on Tuesday formed committees and elected their members as follows:

Financial and Economic Affairs Committee

1. Abdullah Fehad
2. Badr Al-Mulla
3. Shuaib Al-Muwaizri
4. Abdulah Al-Anbaie,
5. Abdulwahab Al-Essa
6. DawoudMaarefi
7. BadrNashmi Al-Anzi

Petitions and Complaints Committee

1. Hamdan Al-Azmi
2. Muhammad Hayef Al-Mutairi
3. Khalid Al-Otaibi
4. Khalid Al-Tamar
5. Abdulhadi Al-Ajmi

Health, Social and Labor Affairs Committee

1. Saad Al-Khanfour
2. Majed Al-Mutairi
3. Hani Shams
4. BadrNashmi Al-Anzi
5. Fahd bin Jame’e

Education, Culture and Guidance Affairs Committee

1. Hamad Al-Matar
2. Muhammad Al-Hewaila
3. Jenan Bu Shehri
4. Abdulhadi Al-Ajmi
5. Hamad Al-Elyan

Interior and Defense Affairs Committee

1. Khalid Al-Otaibi
2. Majed Al-Mutairi
3. Khalid Al-Tamar
4. Muhammad Al-Mahan
5. BadrSayyar Al-Shemmari

Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee

1. Abdulkareem Al-Kandari
2. Osama Al-Shaheen
3. Muhannad Al-Sayer
4. Abdulaziz Al-Saqaabi
5. Mubarak Al-Tasha
6. Jenan Bu Shehri
7. Jarrah Al-Fawzan

Response to the Amiri Speech Committee

1. Osama Al-Shaheen
2. Hamad Al-Obaid
3. BadrNashmi Al-Anzi

Foreign Affairs Committee

1. Abdulkareem Al-Kandari
2. Marzouq Al-Hebeini
3. Abdullah Al-Mudhaf
4. Abdulaziz Al-Saqaabi
5. ShuaibShaaban

Public Utilities Committee

1. Ahmed Lari
2. Muhammad Al-Hewaila
3. Fares Al-Otaibi
4. Mubarak Al-Hajraf
5. Muhammad Al-Mahan
6. Fahd Al-Masoud
7. DawoudMaarefi

Budgets and Final Accounts Committee

1. Badr Al-Mulla
2. Adel Al-Damkhi
3. Hamad Al-Matar
4. Osama Al-Zaid
5. Saad Al-Khanfour
6. Abdulwahab Al-Essa
7. Fahd Al-Masoud

Public Funds Protection Committee

1. Osama Al-Shaheen
2. Mehalhal Al-Mudhaf
3. Meteb Al-Ra’athan
4. Jarrah Al-Fawzan
5. Hamad Al-Elyan

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff and Agencies