MPs highlight triumphs, stress gov’t cooperation

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 23: The lawmakers have affirmed that they exerted tremendous efforts to accomplish the sought-after reform, clarifying they do not claim perfection. The lawmakers made this assertion in a joint press statement issued recently, which they started with a congratulatory message for HH Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on taking the constitutional oath as per Article 60 of the Constitution, which is considered a contract between the people and their leader.

They also expressed condolences on the death of HH the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, pointing out that his term was really short; but it had major achievements including the reform process launched in the Amiri speech delivered on June 22, 2022.

They said the reign of HH the late Amir witnessed important legislative achievements, fighting corruption, and the dismissal of influential individuals to put them away from the decision-making process. They stressed that such an environment paved the way for them to efficiently carry out their tasks and fulfill their constitutional oath to protect the people’s interests. They added the legislative train must not stop just because of some executive decisions, considering the political leadership is not convinced about the feasibility of such decisions even if they are among the functions of the executive authority as per Article 50 of the Constitution.

Article 50 states: “In conformity with the provisions of the Constitution, the system of government shall be established based on separation and cooperation of powers. No Authority shall be allowed to waive all or part of its jurisdiction as prescribed in this Constitution.” They then confirmed their commitment to cooperate with the government, and that they have been doing so since the beginning of the 17th parliamentary term. They cited the two authorities’ agreement on a clear legislative agenda, leading to the ratification of important bills. They called on the interim government to be committed to the agreed legislative plan and to attend the upcoming parliamentary session allotted for the discussion of urgent bills related to the citizens’ standard of living and the retirees. They pointed out that the ratification of 14 bills within four months is an unprecedented achievement; especially since these bills are on improving the citizens’ living conditions, combating monopoly, and the implementation of economic and political reforms. They stressed that this is the response of the National Assembly to the demands of citizens, indicating this was done by the Constitution and the relevant regulations

Restore
They added the ratification of the proposal to amend the Rehabilitation Law was the result of the unified position of the MPs despite the objection of the government; explaining it is aimed at protecting public interests to help those convicted of various crimes to merge with mainstream society, and restore their social and employment rights within a certain period.

On the other hand, MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri submitted a proposal to hold a special session to identify those who harmed the nation and the parties involved in the deal that HH Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah mentioned in his speech after taking the constitutional oath in front of the legislature on Dec 20, 2023. MP Bader Nashmi Al-Anzi submitted a proposal to nationalize 100 administrative, marketing, financial, and cybersecurity jobs as part of the State’s policy on replacing expatriate employees with nationals. He disclosed that his proposal is aimed at preventing the leakage of confidential information and providing more job opportunities for citizens while highlighting the main role of the Information Technology Sector in supporting the decision-making process.

MP Muhammad Al-Hewaila has proposed expediting the handover of Abu Halifa Park from the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) to the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW). He pointed out that the size of the land is estimated at 650,000 square meters and this is enough for the construction of 1,000 houses. He affirmed the cost is very low since the land is near a number of public facilities. MP Hamad Al-Elyan suggested transferring the Basic Education College from the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) to Abdullah Al-Salem University, and then restructure the college in order to include departments that could greatly contribute to the ongoing efforts to address the demographic imbalance issue and meet the manpower needs of the local labor market.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh
Al-Seyasssah/Arab Times Staff