THE supreme Amiri measures related to suspending certain articles of the Constitution were not issued without reason. They followed a careful review of the country’s ongoing situation, marked by years of crises that have paralyzed all sectors, strained the national economy, hindered public affairs, and dissipated efforts.
When the new era began, the first step was to give the National Assembly an opportunity to rise to the occasion and deal with matters in a way that would enable Kuwait to confront regional and international challenges.
Unfortunately, instead of taking the right approach, the MPs, immediately from the very first moment, escalated tensions, with rhetoric suggesting the country was heading toward a series of critical crises. As a result, cauterization became the last resort.
Today, the road has been paved for the government. With the stability of the ministerial positions and the suspension of the parliamentary pressures once aimed at the ministers, the government, which is the one entrusted with implementation and legislation, now has the opportunity to fulfill its responsibilities in both execution and legislation. Ministers must take the lead in updating and amending the laws relevant to their ministries; without these reforms, Kuwait will struggle to achieve progress.
As we previously mentioned, around 900 laws have remained unchanged since 1962. Many of these laws were approved based on personal interests, often driven by the principle of “scratch my back and I will scratch yours,” or motivated by envy, which stifled development and allowed a few influential individuals to divide the nation’s resources, even at the expense of the country and its people.
This paralyzed state activities, causing the nation to turn inward and hindering the development of various industries. It also restricted the flow of capital from abroad, especially with the lack of mechanisms to attract foreign investment.
Moreover, this environment contributed to the failure to secure food security, which is the basic pillar for any country to maintain the minimum level of self-reliance. Also, certain laws have even driven investment away, with many laws being contradictory or overlapping.
The challenges faced by small and medium enterprises are a prime example of this, with many finding safer and more attractive environments for growth in neighboring countries.
Therefore, with the recent changes and the stability of the ministerial positions, it is now the responsibility of each minister to review the laws within their ministry’s scope. They must seriously strive to learn from the experiences of both neighboring and distant countries that have advanced through progressive laws that align with the current era, cater to societal needs, and eliminate the obstacles that have hindered development.
Today, there is intense competition both regionally and globally to modernize industries, support innovation in various fields, and achieve self-sufficiency. International conditions demand that we think outside the box and embrace broader perspectives. The main factor in this is making room for creativity, and allowing citizens to contribute their full potential.
It is also important to abolish laws that prioritize individual interests without providing any real benefit to the country. The funds wasted in wrong places have contributed to the financial deficits we still face today. These resources must be redirected toward more productive sectors, particularly those related to rationalizing public expenditure.
Achieving this requires a ministerial workshop, not just superficial efforts aimed at media attention. Each minister must focus on significant meaningful achievements. Their role involves two primary tasks - first, repair the damage caused by previous stages, and second, update the legislation governing their respective ministries.
There is no doubt that this responsibility lies primarily with His Highness the Prime Minister, who must issue decisive directives to ensure that the Council of Ministers works in line with the vision set by His Highness the Amir in his series of speeches, statements, and directives to ministers, as well as his meetings with concerned officials.
Many laws, particularly those related to money laundering, supporting terrorism, and violations of the International Covenant on Human Rights, continue to draw sharp criticism in international forums. In addition, laws that restrict free trade and hinder the creation of an integrated industrial, commercial, and food system need to be revised to better serve the future of Kuwait and its people, and contribute to the regional trade movement.
These ideas should serve as a positive catalyst, free from envy or undue pressure. As mentioned previously, there is no harm in drawing lessons from other countries. We should also provide incentives for workers in every sector to contribute to Kuwait’s future, benefiting from the country’s strategic geographical location and the tolerant nature of its people. These principles should guide the government as it navigates the launch of a new era for Kuwait.
