‘Chaos key to force government hand’

KUWAIT CITY, April 15: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim said the attitude of some MPs during the last two sessions is aimed at dissolving the Assembly by instigating chaos. In a press statement, Al-Ghanim disclosed that he adjourned Wednesday’s session until the next couple of weeks and that he has a message for the people of Kuwait. He pointed out the recent turn of events in the Assembly is unfortunate as any political, legal or constitutional dispute should be handled through a calm and sophisticated dialogue as it was done previously. He believes the citizens are fully aware that the aim is to instigate chaos in every session to push for the dissolution of the Assembly.

He wants to reassure the people that the political leadership is aware of such plans, indicating that Article 107 of the Constitution states the dissolution of the Assembly is the absolute right of His Highness the Amir. He prefers to not reply to the statements of a few MPs against him; because he is committed to the Constitution, Kuwaiti morals and Islamic regulations. He said he can admonish majority of the MPs who do not agree with such attitude, asserting they are forced to take positions against him for fear of being subjected to pressure on social media. He claimed some parties are using the social media and are paying a large amount to form a fake public opinion.

He pointed out the genuine public opinion was revealed in the election on Dec 5, 2020 during which he landed on the first spot in his constituency; as well as the election of the Assembly Speaker. Talking about what transpired on the podium at the Assembly hall, Al-Ghanim confirmed receiving the request signed by 10 MPs to nullify the decision taken in the previous session. When voting on the request started, some MPs asked for withdrawal of the request but this is not possible once voting started. This is possible only if the same MPs submit another request to withdraw the first request, he clarified. He added the MPs insisted on interrupting the voting process through illegal actions, including the use of a loud speaker and physical altercation with the Assembly employees and security guards. He then called on everyone to return to the right track, protect Kuwait and not to set fire to the nation; otherwise, everyone will bite his own finger due to guilt. On the other hand, MP Muhannad Al-Sayer asserted that the Speaker will not enjoy even a single peaceful session since he protected His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid against grilling motions and deprived the MPs of the right to use their constitutional tools to monitor the performance of the government.

Also, MP Muhammad Al-Mutair revealed that Al-Ghanim was the one who started insulting and offending the MPs including him, Khalid Al-Otaibi and Thamer Al-Suwait. He added that the speaker urged some employees assigned in his office to insult them, but they tried to avoid these employees. He said they were surprised when the employees filed complaints against them at the police station. He pointed out the most dangerous part is that Al-Ghanim justified his action by claiming the political leadership is satisfied with him and he sometimes talks on behalf of the political leadership. He considers this behavior of Al-Ghanim as offensive to the political leadership.

In another development, MP Hassan Jawhar asked His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al- Sabah about the number of meetings held by the committee formed according to the Cabinet’s decision issued on Aril 3, 2017 on assigning the committee to study cases of losing, dropping and withdrawal of Kuwaiti citizenship. Jawhar requested for the names of committee members, copy of the committee’s reports, number of cases in which the committee recommended reinstatement of citizenship, number of cases in which citizenship has been reinstated, those whose citizenship has not been reinstated and reasons behind such a decision. Moreover, MP Marzouq Al-Khalifa submitted a proposal to suspend for six months the collection of loan installments from military personnel, doctors and nurses who are Bedouns, children of Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis and citizens of other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff