KUWAIT CITY, Oct 28: Chairperson of the Parliamentary Public Funds Protection Committee MP Dr Salwa Al-Jassar has reportedly asked the Secretary-General of the Parliament Allam Al-Kandari to withdraw four reports the committee had prepared during the previous term and which were to be referred to the public prosecution, reports Alam-Alyawm daily.
The reports were based on investigations into the two cargo planes deal. Reliable sources said Al-Jassar justified her demand, saying the committee wants to study the issue further. Al-Kandari, however, said reports cannot be withdrawn based on verbal instructions and that the demand should be presented in written and that it is the parliament that will decide whether they should be withdrawn or not.
Al-Jassar’s action provoked a number of lawmakers who warned her against taking any such step. In fact, MP Hassan Jowhar even threatened to resign from parliamentary committees if the reports were withdrawn.
Meanwhile, sources told Al-Rai daily that MP Al-Jassar is related to the Undersecretary at the Defense Ministry Jassar Al-Jassar who is involved in the violations stated in the reports. The sources advised MP Al-Jassar to give up the chairmanship post if she wishes to stay above suspicions.
Moreover, former chairman of the committee MP Musallam Al-Barrak expressed disappointment over Al-Jassar’s demand and advised her to read the internal bylaw of the National Assembly before taking any such step. He said huge violations were reported in the case and therefore the Defense Ministry should impose penalties on those involved in the violations.
MP Khalid Al-Tahous explained that the committee probed the issue thoroughly and submitted its reports. “Now, the minister of defense should take necessary legal procedures against violators involved in such malpractices,” he said.
Stating that the reports were prepared sincerely, he said “the step of withdrawing them was either aimed at pleasing some beneficiaries and merchants or for achieving political settlements.”