KUWAIT CITY, May 23: The Popular Labor Bloc has no intention to cancel its plan to submit a grilling request against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in case his government fails to address the environmental problem in Umm Al-Haiman, says MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun. Al-Saadoun made the statement in a press conference he organized Saturday, along with other bloc members — MPs Musallam Al-Barrak, Ali Al-Deqbasi and Khalid Al-Tahous — to inform the residents in the area on the latest developments concerning the bloc’s intention to grill the premier. Al-Saadoun pointed out the bloc members may have opposing views on some issues, but they will never relent in their efforts to protect public money. He stressed the premier has two options — address the worsening environmental problem in Umm Al-Haiman or stand on the grilling podium. 

Meanwhile, Al-Barrak attacked the so-called parliamentary majority saying, “There are about 34 MPs who put thread and needle in the hands of the government, specifically the prime minister, and continue to defend it whether it has done something right or wrong.” He warned if these MPs are allowed to continue in their post in the next four years, the government will have full control over the parliamentary decision. He pointed out the incumbent Parliament poses a grave threat to the whole nation amidst calls for the amendment of the Constitution. Al-Barrak reiterated his support for calls to hold early elections, while criticizing his colleagues who are against this proposal, claiming around 40 MPs will lose their parliamentary seats in case the early election pushes through. On the other hand, some lawmakers have launched a scathing attack against Al-Barrak and Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei for demanding early elections. Al-Tabtabaei has been quoted as saying that allowing the incumbent Parliament to finish its four-year term will only lead to disaster.

MP Khalaf Dumaitheer, who strongly criticized Al-Barrak, argued if his colleague and other members of the bloc are not satisfied with the current situation, they should resign, instead of jeopardizing parliamentary proceedings by making such nonsensical calls. Commenting on Al-Barrak’s statement that the government and the dictatorship will fall, Dumaitheer stated “I want Al-Barrak to reveal the identity of the so-called dictator. Is Kuwait an authoritarian state? Should we take the necessary measures against this alleged dictator?”

On the proposed amendment of the Constitution, Dumaitheer said there is nothing wrong in amending the Constitution because Article 175 stipulates amendment of the Constitution within five years. He argued there had been no changes made on the Constitution, since its enactment in 1962, so there should be no problem in modifying it to be in line with the latest developments, not only in the local political arena but also in the international community.