KUWAIT CITY, Jan 27: Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, the Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, emphasized the importance of implementing strict measures to combat profiteering and corruption within the ministry’s sectors and its affiliated entities.

Al-Huwailah highlighted that protecting the funds of shareholders in cooperative societies and preventing violations are top priorities within the ministry’s strategy to enhance transparency and uphold the integrity of cooperative work.

She announced that in 2024, 134 individuals, including members of cooperative societies' boards of directors and society employees, were referred to the Public Prosecution for financial and administrative violations, legal infractions, and manipulation of shareholders' funds.

The Minister explained that the Ministry of Social Affairs is committed to improving performance through an integrated system of regulatory and supervisory procedures, aiming to enhance institutional governance and develop cooperative work. She specifically pointed to the issuance of Ministerial Resolution No. 196 of 2024, which aims to strengthen the control system over cooperative societies, aligning with corporate governance principles.

The resolution focuses on ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of associations, while safeguarding shareholders’ funds and improving the direction of financial resources to meet the development goals of these societies.

Al-Huwailah reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to proactive measures that address imbalances, combat corruption, and fight profiteering. Strengthening corporate governance principles is also essential to achieving sustainable development and improving the efficiency of performance within cooperative societies. She also highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance the distribution of social assistance, ensuring that aid reaches those who truly deserve it and preventing any manipulation.

Additionally, Al-Huwailah introduced the central aid platform as a significant step forward in enhancing transparency in charitable work. This platform aims to prevent the manipulation of aid and unify the efforts of charitable societies through advanced technology, ensuring that aid distribution is fair and effective.

The platform utilizes innovative mechanisms, such as integration with the “My Identity” program, creating a central database of applicants for various types of assistance. This improves the efficiency of aid distribution, ensures it reaches those in need, and reduces the possibility of duplicate spending. Charities can view preliminary data about beneficiaries, such as the type of assistance required and the number of family members, while ensuring the confidentiality of personal information until a request is selected by the relevant association.

The platform also features an alert system that notifies associations and the ministry if requests remain unanswered for more than two weeks, enabling requests to be redirected to other associations to expedite assistance. It provides daily and monthly reports detailing the types of aid provided, its value, and the number of beneficiaries, thereby enhancing decision-making for both the ministry and the associations to maximize societal benefit.

Applicants can submit requests through a simplified electronic system using "My Identity," where they select the type of assistance required. Charitable associations can then choose which requests to fulfill, streamlining and speeding up the aid process.

Al-Huwailah emphasized that the central aid platform marks a major advancement in organizing charitable work in Kuwait. The ministry is committed to continually developing these systems in alignment with the vision for "New Kuwait 2035" while ensuring charitable work is organized and free from violations.

The Minister also stressed that the ministry adheres to the highest standards of integrity and justice in its supervisory work. This is achieved through specialized training programs designed to improve the efficiency of financial and administrative auditors working in the cooperative sector, as well as the appointment of impartial investigation committees. These committees are composed of experienced and competent members to ensure neutrality and objectivity in their work.

Regarding the right to appeal, Al-Huwailah explained that individuals who are affected by administrative decisions can appeal to the Advisory Committee, which reviews the procedures and decisions to ensure their validity.

Digital transformation is a key part of the ministry's strategy to improve transparency. Al-Huwailah noted the inclusion of wedding halls and other cooperative society facilities in the “Sahel” application, which enhances the efficiency of administrative operations and facilitates access to services.

Citizens and residents are encouraged to submit complaints related to suspected corruption or violations through various channels, including the ministry's official email, a dedicated WhatsApp number, the "Sahel" application, or by visiting the ministry's headquarters or branches directly. The ministry’s Anti-Corruption Committee ensures the confidentiality of the information provided by whistleblowers.

The Minister of Social Affairs also emphasized the critical role of the Cooperative Inspection and Control Department in protecting shareholders' funds. The department forms periodic inspection teams and sends specialized administrative and financial teams to review the accounts and activities of cooperative societies, giving priority to those under suspicion or complaints of violations.

Al-Huwailah confirmed that if repeated violations are detected in cooperative societies, specialized investigation committees are formed to address these issues. These committees conduct interviews with board members and allow them to respond to the allegations, with their statements being recorded officially. After inspections, detailed reports are prepared, documenting observations and violations, and outlining corrective measures. These reports are presented to an advisory committee to ensure compliance with legal procedures.

The Minister concluded by reaffirming that the development of cooperative work remains a top priority, with protecting shareholders' funds and maintaining the integrity of the cooperative sector at the heart of her strategy for advancing the sector.