“WE will not allow democracy to destroy the state.” This powerful phrase was part of an operetta held in the presence of His Highness the Amir during the national celebrations. The phrase, drawn from one of His Highness’s speeches, carries huge weight in an era that marks the dawn of a new phase for Kuwait. This follows a bitter struggle that has undermined the achievements made in the early decades of the state’s establishment, leaving a heavy legacy after the train of progress stopped at the station of personal interests and gains, often at the expense of the people’s wellbeing and the country’s fate. Amid all this, laws were being crafted to further plunder public funds, and appointments were made to consolidate control over important institutions for the benefit of powerful representatives and influential figures.
As a result, nearly 900 laws have either become outdated without updates or were never improved. Any amendments that were made tended to serve personal interests, rather than the public good. Many institutions were based on the principle of “carry me and I will carry you”. Legislation was exploited to carry out destructive actions, including manipulating national identity, a policy that the Crown Prince addressed from the moment he assumed power. He understood that no true reform could take place without unwavering loyalty to the homeland. A person cannot live with two hearts. Many countries prohibit acquiring citizenship through fraud, manipulation, or dual loyalty, stressing that no one will be wronged in the process, because injustice only brings darkness.
On the other hand, there were those who proudly boasted about their encroachments on public funds and showing no shame. Some even justified theft and plunder, which led to the saying, “The winner is the fastest to catch” became widespread. Development projects were greatly affected by “change orders” causing many projects to be stalled for years, with others facing significant delays. The lack of oversight over funds only fueled the appetites of thieves. Tender terms were often crafted to ensure that only the privileged benefited.
As a result, nearly 900 laws have either become outdated without updates or were never improved. Any amendments that were made tended to serve personal interests, rather than the public good. Many institutions were based on the principle of “carry me and I will carry you”. Legislation was exploited to carry out destructive actions, including manipulating national identity, a policy that the Crown Prince addressed from the moment he assumed power. He understood that no true reform could take place without unwavering loyalty to the homeland. A person cannot live with two hearts. Many countries prohibit acquiring citizenship through fraud, manipulation, or dual loyalty, stressing that no one will be wronged in the process, because injustice only brings darkness.
On the other hand, there were those who proudly boasted about their encroachments on public funds and showing no shame. Some even justified theft and plunder, which led to the saying, “The winner is the fastest to catch” became widespread. Development projects were greatly affected by “change orders” causing many projects to be stalled for years, with others facing significant delays. The lack of oversight over funds only fueled the appetites of thieves. Tender terms were often crafted to ensure that only the privileged benefited.
As a result, the second step in the long and difficult reform process was to abolish the local agent for closing the taps of financial waste and time-wastage. This step is the most important because delays in implementation have cost the state many benefits, particularly in projects such as the airport, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, university city, free zones, food security, and road restoration. In addition, the dawn of the new era has shed light on the remnants of human trafficking, which was a disgrace for Kuwait in the eyes of international institutions. This issue brought the country to a standstill, as residency traders sought to amass ill-gotten wealth. As a result, huge obstacles were placed in the way of labor recruitment. Workers, often impoverished, were burdened with exorbitant fees that they had to pay annually, and were cast out onto the streets to face an uncertain fate.
Residence traders played a major role in the rising crime rate, as hunger drives individuals to desperate measures in order to secure a meal. The situation becomes even more dire when those affected are living abroad, faced not only with hunger but also with a sense of helplessness. Therefore, the new era ushered in the issuance of a new residency law, one that was more merciful not only to expatriates and residents but also to Kuwait itself. The dawn of this new era revealed many evils, including exceptional pensions for influential figures and widespread corruption among ministers, undersecretaries, and others who saw Kuwait merely as a piece of cheese. The corrupt individuals did not truly believe in Kuwait as a homeland. Their actions contradicted national loyalty and disregarded the great sacrifices made by our fathers and grandfathers for the sake of this country. All of this contributed to a weakened gross domestic product, akin to eating one’s own flesh in order to survive.
As a result, esteemed research centers, both international and local, repeatedly raised alarms about the need to end the dependence on oil as Kuwait’s only source of income. Unfortunately, these warnings fell on deaf ears. Hence, there is a major structural imbalance that has yet to be addressed with a fundamental solution capable of driving true economic recovery. What is needed are brilliant minds capable of managing investments, seizing opportunities, and laying the foundation for a resilient and sustainable economy. This is the government’s responsibility in carrying out the directives of the new era. Indeed, the sun of the new era has risen, shedding light on much of the political, economic, social, and cultural turmoil left behind by the past, which nearly led the country to unbearable depths.
A common refrain, reflecting frustration and despair in finding solutions, is, “The brokenness is too big to be healed”. It often feels as though Kuwait lacks reliable resources or the ability to seek international expertise, as many other countries do. This prevailing reality was summed up by His Highness’s statement when he said, “We will not allow democracy to destroy the state.” It became the key to the solutions, and may God bless this remedy. Many dreams inevitably blend truth with error. What matters is that we guide these dreams onto the right path. The one who does not work is the one who never makes mistakes
Residence traders played a major role in the rising crime rate, as hunger drives individuals to desperate measures in order to secure a meal. The situation becomes even more dire when those affected are living abroad, faced not only with hunger but also with a sense of helplessness. Therefore, the new era ushered in the issuance of a new residency law, one that was more merciful not only to expatriates and residents but also to Kuwait itself. The dawn of this new era revealed many evils, including exceptional pensions for influential figures and widespread corruption among ministers, undersecretaries, and others who saw Kuwait merely as a piece of cheese. The corrupt individuals did not truly believe in Kuwait as a homeland. Their actions contradicted national loyalty and disregarded the great sacrifices made by our fathers and grandfathers for the sake of this country. All of this contributed to a weakened gross domestic product, akin to eating one’s own flesh in order to survive.
As a result, esteemed research centers, both international and local, repeatedly raised alarms about the need to end the dependence on oil as Kuwait’s only source of income. Unfortunately, these warnings fell on deaf ears. Hence, there is a major structural imbalance that has yet to be addressed with a fundamental solution capable of driving true economic recovery. What is needed are brilliant minds capable of managing investments, seizing opportunities, and laying the foundation for a resilient and sustainable economy. This is the government’s responsibility in carrying out the directives of the new era. Indeed, the sun of the new era has risen, shedding light on much of the political, economic, social, and cultural turmoil left behind by the past, which nearly led the country to unbearable depths.
A common refrain, reflecting frustration and despair in finding solutions, is, “The brokenness is too big to be healed”. It often feels as though Kuwait lacks reliable resources or the ability to seek international expertise, as many other countries do. This prevailing reality was summed up by His Highness’s statement when he said, “We will not allow democracy to destroy the state.” It became the key to the solutions, and may God bless this remedy. Many dreams inevitably blend truth with error. What matters is that we guide these dreams onto the right path. The one who does not work is the one who never makes mistakes
Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
