KUWAIT CITY, Dec 7: MP Jarrah Al-Fawzan has unveiled his plan to submit a bill on tourism, including the establishment of Kuwait Tourism Company, urging the government to adopt his proposal. He highlighted the essential role of tourism in enhancing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, providing non-oil revenues and generating a huge number of job opportunities. He said Kuwait has all the abilities needed to be a pioneer tourism country; especially since it has the largest number of islands among the neighboring countries, a long coast, capable human resources, and favorable financial conditions. He pointed out that the tourism revenues of Bahrain reached KD 1.2 billion in 2022. He added his bill stipulates the establishment of the Ministry of Tourism and the appointment of a competent tourism minister who will lay down the strategy for the development of the tourism sector and put Kuwait on the tourist destinations map.

In addition, MP Muhammad Al-Mahan submitted a proposal to establish a central agency for disasters and crises. He said the agency will conduct studies to determine potential crises or disasters, specify the vision to deal with them and identify and address the current crises. He added the agency will also provide consultations and coordinate with the concerned institutions in dealing with crises and disasters. On the other hand, MP Marzouq Al-Ghanim forwarded queries to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd about the arrest of a citizen identified as Turky Al-Anzi. He asked if it was true that this citizen was lured into his arrest while he was in his office and detained at the Intelligence General Department in the Ministry of Defense from Dec 3-4, 2023 during which he was tortured to force him to admit crimes he did not commit.

The lawmaker wants to know if an arrest warrant was issued by any investigation unit at the Ministry of Defense; if the citizen was previously reported to the authorities for engaging in an act punishable by law; if the citizen was exposed to physical, moral or sexual abuse; if he was blindfolded and cursed during the interrogation to force him to confess or reveal certain information; and if any official at the State Security General Department was asked to participate in the operation to arrest and interrogate the citizen.

MP Meteb Ayed Al-Anzi asked Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and acting Minister of Public Works Jassem Al-Ostad about the number of employees appointed at the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) since June 1, 2023 till date; including their names, qualifications and jobs. Moreover, MP Hamad Al-Matar released a press statement, expressing his concerns about the future of Kuwait’s foreign affairs; disclosing he is afraid that a new Middle East is being prepared in the absence of Kuwait. He said he obtained information about the serious attempts to divide Sudan into small states. He cited the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to three countries in the region, excluding Kuwait although Japan is the biggest importer of Kuwaiti oil. He added that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdôgan visited regional countries where he signed several treaties and agreements and launched joint development projects, but he did not visit Kuwait despite the historical ties and distinguished relations between the two friendly countries. He also pointed out that Kuwait recently renewed a bank deposit amounting to $2 billion in Egypt, but the latter rejected the Kuwaiti demand for KD 1 million in the form of administrative fees. He stressed the need to revive the Kuwaiti diplomatic stand and take advantage of the diplomatic heritage which, he thinks, has started to corrode. He added he intends to sound the alarm to figure out where the nation is headed. MP Soud Al-Asfour forwarded queries to Minister of Health Ahmed Al-Awadhi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah about the medical errors that Muhammad Sayer Al-Shemmari, a Kuwaiti, suffered when he underwent treatment at Wellington Hospital in London.

He quoted Al- Shemmari’s family as saying that the medical errors were serious, so they filed a case against the hospital. He added that the patient’s family holds both the Kuwait Health Office and Kuwaiti Embassy in London accountable for what happened to Al- Shemmari. He asked Al-Awadhi if the health office in London followed up on the case of Al-Shemmari to verify if he was a victim of medical errors at Wellington Hospital. If yes, he wants to know the measures taken in this regard. If no, he asked about the reasons for not taking the necessary measures. He inquired if the relevant regulations mandate the health offices abroad to follow up on such cases and take legal action against the erring person or entity; and if the health office in London is aware that the patient’s family has taken legal action. He also asked Sheikh Salem Al- Sabah about the steps that the Kuwaiti Embassy in London took to address the issue, if it refused to issue legal authorization to the patient’s brother to file the lawsuit, and if it provided legal advice to the patient’s brother concerning the case he filed against Wellington Hospital.

National Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun invited the MPs and government to the ordinary sessions scheduled for Dec 12-13, 2023 to deliberate on the following:
- Resignation of the deputy chairman of the State Audit Bureau;
- Response to the Amiri Speech delivered by HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the inaugural session of the National Assembly on Oct 31, 2023;
- Parliamentary queries;
- Reports of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee on amending Penal Code number 17/1960;
- First report of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee on amending the Central Agency for Public Tenders Law;
- Reports of the Oil and Energy Committee on the proposed establishment of a shareholding company for advanced petroleum industries;
- Ninth report of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee about the bill on transforming Kuwait Airways Corporation into a shareholding national company;
- Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth reports of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee on amending National Assembly Law number 12/1962;
- Report of the Interior and Defense Affairs Committee on the Traffic Bill of the government;
- Fourth report of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee on the proposed amendment of the Public Institution for Social Security Law to increase the social and children allowances of employees;
- Report of Interior and Defense Affairs Committee on granting civil and social rights to Bedouns;
- Report of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee on not obligating the heirs of borrowers to pay the remaining installments for loans obtained from Kuwait Credit Bank upon the death of the borrower.
- 10th report of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee on amending the Public Institution for Social Security Law to increase the amount of loans granted to e retirees, as well as the zero interest loans.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff