SOME parties have compared the ongoing disputes over the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) law to fighting the windmills because those engaged in the disagreements have deviated from the right path. Instead of amending the rules, they have called for the demolition of the chamber and disregarded the Constitution.

Discussions about the unconstitutionality of the KCCI law clearly reflect some people’s ignorance of the Constitution as Article 180 states that the existing laws, bylaws, decrees and decisions before the enactment of the Constitution shall remain in effect unless amended or cancelled in accordance with the procedures stipulated therein. This means that the regulations and Amiri decrees issued before the enactment of the Constitution are legal.

The KCCI issue should be tackled in a professional manner, instead of instigating chaos in the country. We have proven that the existing economic laws work in the interest of the public and national economy. We should refrain from politicizing the issue or resorting to aimless fighting to destroy the chamber - the pillar of our economy. Disagreements over the KCCI law have prompted us to ponder on the way we handle various issues in the country. Public entities do not belong to any person as they have been established to serve the nation and its people. Everybody has right to realize their objectives provided they do it within the limits of the law. Nobody has right to dominate public entities to serve personal interests.

People depend on public entities for their daily affairs to maintain law and order. The KCCI was established in accordance with a law issued in 1959. Since then, it has been operating as a public entity - even before the issuance of the Constitution in 1962. Declaring the unconstitutionality of every entity established prior to the enactment of the Constitution is tantamount to eliminating the Constitution. If this happens, we will also demolish other public entities until we destroy the government.

If we take another look at the points highlighted in this article, we will realize that it is not good to raise doubts on the existence of government entities as they serve the public. One of these entities is KCCI, which plays a vital role in the economy and national development, as well as the free elections. This makes the KCCI an essential part of national economic development.

Email: ahmed@aljarallah.com