KUWAIT CITY, Dec 10: The local political terrain has become calm after the government reaffirmed its determination to implement the Constitution and ‘Accept the Constitution Bloc’ decided to cool down by suspending seminars until Sunday when the planned grilling against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad on the Sulaibikhat incident is expected to be submitted.

According to an official source, the government is comfortable with the situation, because “in a proper democracy, differences should not be taken to the street by exploiting freedom for parochial interests.” He said the provoking of tension and taking grilling issues to the street cannot impede enforcement of law on one hand and movement of the development wheel on the other. He added the political activities will continue on Monday from where there stopped before the ‘immunity clashes’ began. He explained that the government and a majority of lawmakers want to ensure that Kuwait transforms itself into a financial and commercial hub, and offers better infrastructure and services to citizens.  He reiterated the government will henceforth focus on improving health and education, in addition to finding solution to major national problems.

Meanwhile, MP Jamaan Al-Harbash announced that ‘Accept the Constitution Bloc’ will suspend seminars temporarily to avert any calamity and protect citizens from the ‘overzealousness’ of security operatives. He said members of the bloc will hold a meeting after presenting a grilling against the Prime Minister on Sunday to decide whether to commence seminars or not. He disclosed the bloc had arrived at the decision after the Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid announced that the government would handle seminars in a manner similar to the Sulaibikhat incident.

Meanwhile, MP Mubarak Al-Waalan has cancelled a seminar which was to take place at his diwaniya on Sunday, after several hours of insistence on going ahead with it. He cited avoidance of clash with security operatives as the reason for backing down and said he was sure security operatives would harass people outside his diwaniya.

On the political front, there are indications that the Popular Labor Bloc will be involved in the grilling to be submitted against the Prime Minister during Sunday’s session. It will serve as an exit point from the sporting grilling and will help avoid humiliation for its inability to grill the Prime Minister after several attempts due to disunity in the group.   

Reacting to the press conference held by officials of the Interior Ministry, MP Dr Daifallah Buramiya said the conference reminded him of conferences and statements issued by Saddam’s Information Minister Al-Sahaf. He also accused the ministry of violating the Constitution and fabricating lies.

Agencies add:
Constitutional expert Dr Mohammed Al-Felli says securitymen’s tackling of citizens during a seminar at MP Jamaan Al-Harbash’s diwaniya on Wednesday was unlawful, reports Al-Qabas daily.
Several citizens and lawmakers were injured when Special Forces tried to stop a gathering outside the diwaniya.
“What was taking place at Al-Harbash’s diwaniya was a general meeting, not a public gathering. Public gatherings are those organized in public places like parks, gardens and squares,” he said, adding “the rules of first chapter of the gatherings law which was nullified by the Constitutional Court was enforced at Al-Harbash’s diwaniya.”
The head of the Information Office of 11/11 Bloc Bassam Al-Fahd condemned what happened in Sulaibikhat recently. He called it a direct violation of the Constitution and addressed the bloc on ‘Accept the Constitution’ highlighting the level of the crime in the country that has degraded the dignity of people by beating and insulting ordinary citizens and lawmakers, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.
He added there is no proper reply to what has happened except for collective resignation by the MPs because the history of Kuwait has been insulted.
Meanwhile, the Nation Party called on the lawmakers to submit collective resignation at the same time criticizing the attack its President and Chairman of the Teaching Staff at the Kuwait University Dr Awad Al-Zufairi during a seminar at the Diwaniya of MP Jama’an Al-Harbash.
MP Duaij Al-Jari called the clash, between the security forces and the lawmakers, is heinous crime. He said this provocation may lead to the unconstitutional dissolution of the National Assembly.
Academicians have meanwhile, called on the public to remain calm and react rationally to the incidents that took place at a seminar on protection of Constitution at the diwaniya of MP Dr Jamaan Al-Harbash Wednesday, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.
Dr Haila Al-Mekemi described the Wednesday’s incident as ‘sad and tragic,’ “since we saw lawmakers trying to stir up the public and challenge orders by organizing seminars that violate the rules.” She requested lawmakers to calm down the public and to abide by instructions, especially since they are concerned with the protection of law and order in the country.
Another academician Sheikh Dr Bassam Al-Shatti called on everyone to unify their stance and abide by the decisions of the country. He added the decision of banning seminars outside houses should have been issued through a decree so that everybody, including lawmakers, follow it. He said it should not have been sent as a message to members of the legislative authority through the Speaker of the National Assembly.
The Islamic Salafist Front has also strongly condemned the use of force and beating of citizens by security forces at a seminar held at MP Jamaan Al-Harbash’s diwaniya in Sulaibikhat, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.
The group said it always called for stability and rejection of unrest and chaos and strongly rejects the attitude of forces during the seminar.
In a press statement, it said the attack on lawmakers is a dangerous precedence and called for punishing of the official who issued the order. It said preventing citizens and even lawmakers from attending seminars spells doom for freedom and democracy.
Meanwhile, political activist Nabilah Al-Anjari expressed concern on the disturbing political situation in the country, stressing that while other countries are busy improving and developing, Kuwait is engulfed in internal conflicts. She urged lawmakers to practice what they preach in the aspect of respecting the law. She said it is disturbing that lawmakers are defying the orders of the Amir which were aimed at maintaining stability and public order.
Head of the workers union of the Oil Service Company Muhammad Al-Hajri also condemned the attitude of the security forces, pointing out that Al-Harbash organized the seminar in his garden and that should be considered as respecting the orders of the Amir. He said the political indicator in Kuwait is pointing towards danger as freedom of peaceful expression is being violated. The National Union of Kuwaiti workers also denounced the use of force against citizens and lawmakers.