KUWAIT CITY, March 8: The government has been boycotting parliamentary sessions slated for deliberations on draft bills, which do not work in its favor, to embarrass the legislature and disrupt legislative proceedings, says MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri.
Speaking to reporters Monday prior to the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee meeting on a proposal to hold parliamentary sessions even without the government, Al-Muwaizri pointed out he and some of his colleagues agreed to amend Article 74 of law number 12/1963 immediately after the adjournment of the last session, which was scheduled for discussions on the Experts Law. He explained the proposed amendment allows holding parliamentary sessions even without the ministers provided there is quorum.
Urging the committee to quickly approve the proposal and refer it to the Parliament for discussion, Al-Muwaizri emphasized the importance of amending the law to restore the dignity of the legislative authority. He accused the government of controlling the legislature through its deliberate absence in certain sessions. He contended this is a strong manifestation that the government is not willing to cooperate with the MPs even if both authorities are expected to work together in the interest of Kuwait and its people.
Al-Muwaizri claimed the government boycotted the last session because it is against the Experts Law, yet it demanded quick approval of 16 international agreements and 12 decrees to link the general budget of the state. He contended the Constitution states that the government should have attended the session to present its stand on the issue. He lamented the frequent absence of the executive disrupts discussions on other significant issues.
Meanwhile, MP Mubarak Al-Khurainej has presented a proposal on increasing the basic salaries of diplomats by 100 percent, annual leaves of employees working abroad to 60 days, and annual plane ticket from one to two times a year. He also called for granting full salary to the diplomats’ wives who accompany their spouses abroad, while the concerned ministry must shoulder the cargo expenses of employees in other countries, as well as the cost for their transfer from one embassy to another and their return to the ministry.
On the other hand, MP Khalid Al-Adwah proposed the relocation of drainage water desalination plants in Al-Reggae, Hadiya and Jabber Al-Ali, far from the residential areas. He pointed out the health of people residing in surrounding areas are in danger due to the foul smell and toxic gases emanating from the desalination plants.
In another development, MP Musallam Al-Barrak has asked the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to rescind its decision on the non-renewal of  the appointment of Bedoun military personnel who reached 55 years.
Al-Barrak argued this decision is unfair for this group as they have been working hard for Kuwait. He appealed for the intervention of First Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak for these Bedouns to continue working at the military. He stressed the need to benefit from the competent Bedoun military personnel to serve the Armed Forces and train the staff in various military institutions.
Indicating most of the Bedouns affected by the decision have been serving the country for 20 years or more, Al-Barrak called on members of the Interior and Defense Committee at the Parliament to take the necessary action to protect the rights of these Bedouns who defended Kuwait during the Liberation War and civil wars. He went on to say the law states the minister must renew the appointment of Bedoun military personnel every year; hence, it is illogical to stop those who turned 55 years old from working as they are not entitled to any pension. He added this decision is tantamount to depriving this segment of their main source of income.