KUWAIT CITY, Oct 16: MP Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei affirmed that issues discussed by Group 26 (G26) with HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah focused on aspects of the government’s failure to perform expected duties accordingly, reports Al-Seyassah daily. In a press statement, Dr Al-Tabtabaei revealed that issues raised by each individual of the group reflected the personal opinion of the presenters, which he respected and appreciated. He said every citizen has the right to meet the leaders and express their viewpoints over issues concerning the country without claiming to represent the populace. He stated that for this group to have taken their reservations concerning lackluster government performances to the highest authority was a reflection on the government’s failure to find a solution to lingering crises.

He noted that the demand for rescheduling of citizens’ loans at this particular time could be justified because the government has not been making use of the surplus for construction of bridges, tunnels, universities and hospitals. “We cannot blame advocates of the loans’ rescheduling because they do not see the effects of the surplus in general services, infrastructure and developmental projects”, he added. On the issue of a restriction from entering Egypt, the MP explained that he went to Egypt on an invitation from an Egyptian friend, but was surprised to be denied entry upon arrival. He added that he called Egyptian parliamentary leader Dr Ahmad Fathi Sorour for clarification, who in return declared that it was due to his visit to Gaza via Egypt. He continued that he later informed the minister of foreign affairs and Kuwaiti ambassador to Egypt of the incident and they promised to act accordingly.

Disappointed
Dr Al-Tabtabaei lamented that, with due respect to Egypt, he was disappointed to be denied entry regardless of having an official invitation. He protested that dealing with a representative of citizens who enjoys immunity in a way that does not even benefit an ordinary citizen, is a bad development.
He hoped the government will resolve this issue at the highest level, because Kuwaitis should not be exposed to this kind of treatment, especially in a country that has friendly relations with Kuwait. “I did not plan to spite Egypt by entering Gaza through tunnels; I only intended to experience what the Palestinians were going through due to deprivation of easy movement”, the lawmaker disclosed.

Meanwhile, MP Marzouq Al-Ghanim declined to attack the Group 26 (G26), saying they are respectable and prominent personalities who are moving in the right direction, reports Al-Rai daily.
Al-Ghanim made this statement while addressing the audience at a seminar organized by Fawaz Al-Mazrou’ei in Al-Mu’ajel Hall, in the presence of several lawmakers from the Second and Third Constituencies.
He declared he was a student to members of the group, and warned of an unprecedented chaotic situation in the country. He stressed the country is approaching a sensitive stage and he is ready to face those who are trying to pull the country backward. “Majority of the lawmakers focus on issues concerning citizens and maintain their positions, in order to avoid dissolution of the Parliament, and the call for another election,” the lawmaker asserted.

Wonder
In the meantime, MP Daifallah Buramiya expressed wonder at the 26-member group that allegedly pretended to lament over the public funds and yet persisted to worsen the suffering of citizens by using future generations as an excuse, reports Al-Shahid daily.
In a press statement, Buramiya inquired about the tears of the group — that included ministers and MPs — while discussing debts. He asked where the tears for the public fund were in instances when the Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shamali forwarded a law to finance banks and companies or when the minister of interior was grilled over the issue of KD 5 million.

Buramiya added that this group does not represent the entire society. He went on to say that the group is actually looking for closeness with the government while disregarding the burdens and sufferings of citizens. He raised questions over some persons who asked for Iraq’s loans that amounted to around KD 80 billion to be dropped and yet rejected to waive off citizens’ loans worth KD 3 billion.
Buramiya went on to say that the former minister who led this group aimed to deliver two messages from this movement — first, to show people that he can move political powers in the country and second to save his bloc from embarrassment as it opposes the proposal of dropping the citizens’ loans.

In another development, parliamentary sources wondered over the contradictions over the stance of the Salafist Bloc on the issue of purchasing the citizens’ debts, especially after one of its members joined the 26-member group.
However, this ambiguity in the bloc’s stance is not new. According to the sources, it first appeared during the session of no-confidence held against the minister of interior and continued through its member MP Ali Al-Omair, who first supported, then opposed the proposal.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued by Group 26 (G26) themed “The national campaign against misappropriation and waste of resources”, the group affirmed that recent incidents in the country reflect serious imbalance between rights and duties, reports Al-Rai daily.
Members of the group noted some people believe they can violate regulations to facilitate division of the national wealth through governmental law or decision, and went on to say the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and correspondence with public authorities whose purpose is to secure public funds.

Wrong
In the meantime, the group indicated there were widespread wrong impressions that resources are shared by setting some governmental rules and regulations in favor of public projects, while the actual situation on ground points towards a contrary direction.
Members of the group added it is necessary to take serious action to stop corruption by correcting the situation. They believe the country cannot attain a better status unless the principle of balance between rights and duties is well respected.

In another development, the Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shamali replied to parliamentary statements that criticized his announcement to reject the proposal to buy back debts by saying that he is ready to face grilling and will answer all queries put to him, reports Al-Anba daily.
In a press statement, Al-Shamali said the Constitution gives an MP the right to submit grilling requests, but also gives him the right to reply to these requests. He added that the last statement issued on the total amount of the citizens’ debts has already been registered at the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), and wondered why a parliamentary attack was launched against him. He said he was clear in his previous statement when he mentioned that value of the debts reached KD 6 billion with interest amounts included.
In reply to a question over the government’s intention to buy back the loans with or without interest, Al-Shamali said this is a question of numbers for which there are specialized officials.
Commenting on the intention of the Public Authority for Investment (PAI) to sell its stake in Zain Telecom Company, he said the PAI has the right to manage its shares in whatever way it feels is suitable to the country’s needs.