KUWAIT CITY, Nov 5: Some members of the legislative and executive authorities might be involved in a plot to pocket a certain percentage of the budget allocated for the implementation of projects included in the development plan of Kuwait, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily quoting the Kuwait Transparency Society (KTS).
In its October report, the society said there are indications that some members of the two authorities are trying to embezzle the funds allotted for the development plan due to the absence of anti-corruption laws.
KTS Board Chairman Salah Al-Ghazali believes the failure of both authorities to set their priorities prior to the opening of the third ordinary session of the 13th legislative term will negatively affect the performance of the Parliament and hinder the approval of the anti-corruption draft bills.
Commenting on the recent events involving the Ministry of Information, Al-Ghazali stressed the need to review the existing media regulations after the Scope Channel crisis. He pointed out the country recently faced a crisis that posed a grave threat to national security.
On the Ministry of Interior, Al-Ghazali thinks several lawmakers have threatened to grill Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid Al-Sabah because he chose to perform his duties in the last parliamentary elections. He argued those who have been calling for the grilling of the minister are using their constitutional tools to serve personal interests and settle scores. He said the society, in its October report, called for the immediate establishment of a public authority for elections to clarify the issues that the lawmakers intend to include in the grilling request against the minister.
Asked about the society’s remarks on the Ministry of Electricity and Water, Al-Ghazali revealed the ministry has yet to issue a statement on the discovery of 75,000 meters, which were installed more than 10 years ago but were not registered at the Consumer Affairs Department. He said no concrete step has been taken in this regard despite the magnitude of the error.
On the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Al-Ghazali disclosed around 50,000 expatriates are currently registered under 6,000 illusory companies. He said the society asked the ministry about the automated system and the advantages of establishing a public authority for the recruitment of foreign workers.
Al-Ghazali confirmed the report also focused on Kuwait Municipality, particularly the spread of expired food products in the local market. The society appealed to all the concerned authorities to intensify their efforts in preventing the sale of expired food items to protect public health, he added.