KUWAIT CITY, April 17: Approving the privatization draft bill is tantamount to handing over the country to the greedy, reports Al-Anba daily quoting MP Saad Al-Khanfour.
Al-Khanfour explained that he and other lawmakers stormed out of the session hall Thursday in protest of the bill. He called on the government to stop pushing for the approval of the bill, considering it decides the future of the country and needs majority support to avoid mistreatment of certain sectors. He said he, along with some of his colleagues, outrightly rejected the bill as it is flawed. He criticized other MPs for deciding the future of the country in one parliamentary session to satisfy businessmen who want to control the country. He appealed to the legislative and executive authorities to study the bill thoroughly before taking any decision.

“We will work hard to stop the implementation of this bill as it poses a grave threat to the nation and its people. As elected representatives of the people, we will work for public good. Both authorities should consider the request of 24 MPs to refer the bill back to the concerned committee for further review,” Al-Khanfour added.
In another parliamentary development, MP Mikhled Al-Azmi has asked Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mudhi Al-Humoud about the technical and engineering capabilities of the ministry to carry out its projects.
In a statement to Al-Anba daily, Al-Azmi pointed out it has been reported that the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has agreed to transfer all the construction projects of its education and higher education counterpart to the latter in response to its demand to carry out its own construction, maintenance and repair works. He said a decree issued on Jan 7, 1979 stipulates that the MPW should execute the construction projects of all government departments, wondering why the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has demanded for the handover of its construction projects from MPW.

Proposal
Meanwhile, MPs Dr Salwa Al-Jassar, Naji Al-Abdulhadi, Ali Al-Omair, Aseel Al-Awadhi and Saleh Al-Mullah have presented a proposal on the establishment of a public authority for technical and professional training.
On the other hand, Al-Mullah has given Minister of Oil and Information Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah a grace period of four weeks to explain the payment of KD80 million, which is equivalent to $300 million; otherwise, the latter will face another parliamentary inquest. He said the Parliament will not remain silent over the disbursement of such a large amount and he has no option but to give the minister an ultimatum for failure to respond to previous questions on the issue.
In the meantime, Chairman of Kuwait Trade Union Federation (KTUF) Salem Al-Ajmi says “Despite our repeated warnings against selling the country’s economic resources, the National Assembly approved the privatization bill in its first reading.”

Speaking to Al-Qabas daily, he said the bill violates the Constitution and gives miscreants more opportunities to rob public funds and added “the nation and history will hold these MPs accountable for this grave error in judgment now and in the future.”
The bill is not good for the country and its economy, and is against the economic and social interests of citizens, he noted.
Al-Ajmi said the approval of the bill will lead to social chaos and conflicts and it will undoubtedly benefit those seeking personal interests. “But we appreciate the stand of few lawmakers who opposed the bill in its first reading and we will discuss the issue with representatives of other authorities and institutions to decide what measures to take in this regard,” stated Al-Ajmi.