KUWAIT CITY, March 5: The National Assembly should hold sessions constantly now that the country is experiencing difficult circumstances, says MP Hamdan Al-Azmi. In a press statement, Al- Azmi wondered why National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim intends to postpone the sessions.

He said this means that only the government is doing its job in confronting coronavirus although the Assembly should contribute to such efforts by holding sessions and presenting suggestions in cooperation with the government. He added that he heard about the Ministry of Education’s plan to resume classes, while ensuring supply of hand sanitizers and necessary equipment for schools. He warned it is very dangerous to resume classes in these conditions as the crisis is still ongoing.

He said Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Saud Hilal Al-Harbi and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah should bear the responsibility for the students’ safety. He pointed out most of the students are in the elementary and preparatory stages and they are too young to be committed to regulations. He then called for extending the closure of schools and colleges for one month or until the crisis ends. He said the quarantine is being misused by somebody, indicating those who have ‘wasta’ (influence) are allowed to spend 14-day period at home; while others are transported to the quarantine centers. He asserted this is the proper procedure according to the World Health Organization (WHO) but it is not executed properly in Kuwait where the laws are not fully respected.

He also criticized the delayed payment of the salaries of Bedoun doctors in spite of the tremendous efforts they exert in the interest of Kuwait. He said this contravenes the directive of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to honor all employees contributing to the fight against coronavirus.

In another development, MP Al-Humaidi Al-Subai’e has requested Minister of Finance Barrak Al-Sheetan to provide him with copies of the curriculum vitae of the chief executive officer at Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) and his educational certificates, list of those appointed since January 2017 till date including Kuwaitis and other nationalities, their qualifications, salaries, bonuses and allowances.

He said he noticed that many senior officials at KAC, including directors, are not highly qualified as they hold secondary stage certificates or diplomas. He asked if the decrees on organizing KAC allow this and he demanded for a copy of such regulations. He wants to know if KAC advertised vacancies for leadership posts like directors, received applications and conducted interviews to determine the best applicant.

On the other hand, MP Muhammad Al-Dallal submitted queries to Minister of Social Affairs and State Minister for Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel about the decisions taken by former minister of Social Affairs Dr Ghadeer Aseri from the date of submitting the grilling motion against the latter and her resignation.

He asked about the steps taken by the committee formed by acting Minister of Social Affairs Waleed Al-Jassim to investigate Aseeri’s decisions including the appointments in cooperative societies and reducing the power given to the Public Authority for Disabled Affairs.

Moreover, MP Dr Adel Al-Damkhi submitted a proposal to register women in the electoral lists automatically through the addresses recorded in their civil IDs by the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI). He explained his proposal is based on the Women’s Political Rights Law enforced in 2006. He said this is aimed at registering all citizens, including women, as soon as they reach the legal voting age.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff