O leadership … This is corruption

This news has been read 31984 times!

SOME pages of history are usually contained in the biographies of leaders of any given state, as they write their eras through their actions. Hence, we read about monarchs and presidents who influenced lives with their legacies, irrespective of whether it was an act of renaissance or an evil act. When we compare countries, we resort to reading the actions of their leaders because their country is part of their image.

In all cases, no one mentions the advisors and ministers but instead, the focus is on the leader himself. If he had a vision based on the fact that governance is continuity and that his era is part of the history of his country, he would strive to facilitate the best living conditions for his people in various ways, secure social stability, and make room for individual initiative and creativity.

However, if he was among those who think within the boxes of the past, revenge, and possessing everything out of fear of what they call “the treachery of time,” he would work to spread violence and oppression in society, and the longer he ruled, the greater the degree of popular hatred against him.

Over the past eight decades, we have seen what happened to a number of leaders who left behind advisors living in bliss after them because they did not take responsibility.

Leaders who believe in their ability to change choose honest and experienced hawks, and move away from the logic of appointing cronies. They do not work on the principles of nepotism and favoritism, but pick for their administration those who are worthy of implementing their visions and preserving the wealth of the people.

In the Third World countries and in many of our Arab countries, positions are occupied by people who are not qualified for the task entrusted to them. This could simply be described as bad choices made by the leader. That is why corruption has become an ingrained habit in these countries. There have been no trials for officials who are relieved of their positions; ironically, some of them are honored.

On the other hand, in countries where the law prevails, any negligence becomes a subject of trial, and prime ministers, ministers and every official are held accountable. This is contrary to the case in the Gulf and Arab countries.

Corruption is not only theft of money, wasting of time, false certificates, and negligence in performance, but it also includes violating the traffic regulations. Those following these practices spread chaos and violate the law because they believe that everyone is doing it, and hence they will be exempted from accountability.

Unfortunately, Kuwait lived through this situation for several decades. While events revealed systematic looting of public funds and huge sums that “can’t be carried by even two camels” and deliberately obstructing major projects, accountability was selective without following a reform approach to management. This affected several stages of the country’s history.

Today, for the first time, we see the exemption of officials in high positions and their accountability. This is an important and major step.

Nonetheless, it is not enough to ask some to submit their resignation or to dismiss them when the reasons are vague. It remains without any effect that if it is not accompanied by trials and if the reasons for exemption are not announced, this kind of approach turns the vagueness into rumor factories, increasing confusion among people.

O leadership, our country is facing an important stage at a time when countries are setting plans for 20 and 30 years and implementing them with honesty and sincerity, while all that Kuwait has achieved is further setbacks.

So far, it has not implemented the vision of “New Kuwait 2035”. We have not seen to date any evidence that it will be implemented, at least in terms of turning the country into a global financial and commercial hub, despite the huge sums that have been spent on this matter.

This is due to the fact that there are those who prefer the squandering of public money, followed by creating a smokescreen through statements and resonant slogans. They even get disappointed even in their style of looting and wasting time.

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah

Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times

This news has been read 31984 times!

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