MP-ELECT HEATS UP GRILL – Cabinet resigns; First Assembly session Dec 11

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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 28: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Sabah submitted the Cabinet’s resignation to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during a reception at Bayan Palace.

The meeting was attended by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. “Your Highness the Amir issued a decree on Ramadan 20, 1434 Hijra and July 29, 2013, that tasked me to chair the government and assume responsibilities of reviving the country and achieving development,” Sheikh Jaber said in a letter.

“Under the wise directions of your Highness, the decree No. 2012/2013 was issued on August fourth and asked me to form the government,” Sheikh Jaber added. “As soon as the government was formed, it assumed its responsibilities in this ‘critical phase’ that included many challenges on all levels. It was a great responsibility that we accepted,” he said. “The government promised your Highness to do its best so as to achieve the goals and meet aspirations of Kuwaitis,” the letter affirmed. Ministers have managed to make many achievements that met ambitions and hopes of all Kuwaitis, thanks to the constructive and fruitful cooperation with the National Assembly’s MPs during the previous legislative term, the Prime Minister stated in the letter.

Sincere efforts of Kuwaitis also contributed to making such achievements, he pointed out. “As the elections of 15th legislative term were transparently and impartially held and all results were officially announced, I — in accordance with the 57 Article of the Constitution — submit the government’s resignation to your Highness,” the letter said. “I, and on behalf of all ministers, express our gratitude to your Highness for this great confidence and for your directives that helped the government make many achievements. The government affirms that it has been sincere soldiers for the dear country.” His Highness Sheikh Jaber referred to the big efforts by ministers during this period. At the end, Sheikh Jaber Al- Mubarak wished His Highness the Amir good health and Kuwait everlasting progress and prosperity.

The newly elected National Assembly will hold the first session for the 15th legislative term on Dec 11, 2016 after formation of the new government. In another development, MP-elect Khalil Abdullah Aboul unveiled his plan to submit a grilling request against former Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Bader Al- Essa in case the latter is appointed to the same post due to his failure to address a number of pressing issues. He explained he cannot grill the former minister on such issues before taking office in the new government, so it will be done if Al-Essa returns to his ministerial position. He intends to focus on educationrelated issues because he believes that the educational sector is the foundation of the developmental process which must be the main concern of the new Parliament. Meanwhile, former MP Hussein Al-Quwaiaan announced his plan to submit a petition to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, challenging the election results in the Fourth Constituency.

In a press statement, Al-Quwaiaan disclosed, “I have evidence from my representatives in electoral committees. This makes me sure that the results were manipulated.” During today’s Cabinet meeting, the first after the parliamentary elections, His Highness the Prime Minister addressed the ministers praising the democratic spectacle Kuwait witnessed on Saturday, which reaffirmed the unity and cohesion of the Kuwaiti people under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, said Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- Mubarak Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Premier lauded the outstanding arrangements and organization that led to the smooth elections, thanks to sincere efforts made by the judiciary and officials of the Public Prosecution, as well as the entire personnel of the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Education, the Kuwait Municipality and all other involved state bodies. He highlighted the atmosphere of absolute integrity and transparency that dominated the voting.

His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al- Mubarak stressed the hard work by the Interior Ministry’s personnel who offered all possible facilities so that people could fulfil their national duty, namely casting their votes. His Highness the Premier extolled the distinct efforts and coverage by the Ministry of Information, which provided detailed minute-to-minute live coverage of the event.

The ministers praised the good spirit of competition that dominated the scene among all candidates, and the electorate, which reflected the fact that the democratic practice in Kuwait is deep-rooted, as well as the country’s civilized image. The Cabinet congratulated the new MPs for winning the confidence of the Kuwaiti people, wishing them success to serve the nation and realize expectations of the people.

The ministers urged joining efforts of all to fulfill His Highness the Amir’s directives, namely boosting the constructive cooperation between the legislative and executive powers to push ahead the wheel of sustainable development and achieve the aspired goals of the nation.

As today’s meeting started, the ministers were apprised of His Highness the Amir’s participation in the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) recently held in, Marrakesh, Morocco, and the Fourth Africa-Arab Summit, Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea. First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah briefed the ministers on the outcome of the Malabo gathering and the content of His Highness the Amir speech to the summit.

The Cabinet highly appreciated His Highness the Amir’s humanitarian initiatives for consolidating ties with the friendly African nations in all fields, hoping the summit’s outcome would lead to improving the living conditions on the continnet.

In the meantime, His Highness the Prime Minister offered the ministers a brief account of the current visit to Kuwait by President of the Swiss Confederation Johann Schneider-Ammann, focusing on means to foster bilateral ties in all fields. The ministers were also notified of a letter from the Civil Service Commission that Thursday 8 December 2016, will be a public holiday for the occasion of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday instead of Sunday December 11

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff and Agencies

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