PM vows ongoing summer governance – Assembly approves state budget

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AMIR CONGRATULATES ‘FINANCE’ ON CONFIDENCE

KUWAIT CITY, July 3: In one of the last matters of business for the third round of the 15th legislative term, the National Assembly renewed its confidence in Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf as 32 MPs voting against the no-confidence motion while 16 voted in favor. HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated the minister for winning the confidence of the Assembly once again. After the voting process, Al- Hajraf expressed his gratitude to the Assembly for renewing confidence in him twice in less than a month, which allows him to continue doing his best for the country — a directive that both authorities are keen on following.

However, the minister pointed out that the recent interpellations refl ected and confirmed the existence of a hidden campaign to distort legislative efforts in a bid to destabilize the country. The no-confidence motion came after MP Mohammed Hayef grilled the minister on June 25. Earlier, the minister faced and overcame another interpellation motion submitted by MPs Bader Al-Mulla and Riyad Al-Adsani.

His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al- Hamad Al-Sabah announced on Wednesday that the Government would dedicate the ample time of the Parliament summer recess to “relieve the people of Kuwait of living burdens.”

His Highness the Prime Minister was addressing the Parliament’s third session of the 15th legislative term as the countdown for the summer break for the lawmakers got started. There are tremendous challenges facing Kuwait in its bids to place itself among ranks of advanced nations and this can only be achieved through serious action to meet citizens’ needs and find solutions to issues, priorities of which, can be set in consensus between the government and the National Assembly, he added. Bidding Farwell to the MPs who are taking the summer leave, His Highness the Prime Minster said his Cabinet had worked hard to enable the Parliament play its role and “practice its constitutional commitments in full.”

“With more optimism and compassion, we open the doors for positive and fruitful cooperation with your respectable assembly,” he said, assuring the legislators that the executives would take into consideration their remarks on the government performance. He noted the need for awareness of the serious events taking place in the region and the globe, expressed pride for electing Kuwait as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and expressed satisfaction with the Government performance in various sectors for sake of attaining His Highness the Amir development vision. “Undoubtedly, lifting the rank of Kuwait on the (international) corruption indices in 2018 constituted a robust push for increasing the efforts to boost sincerity and combating corruption.

“It is also a clear proof of the soundness of the steps and measures that have been taken by the government with your respectable assembly.” He vowed serious action to meet citizens’ needs and pledged to attain more achievements “to mitigate concerns of the people of Kuwait and lighten their living burdens and boost their confidence in the state apparatuses’ performance.” The Speaker reiterated his query in the last legislative round about the best manner by which the instructions, directives and warnings of HH the Amir are realized. “This great responsibility intensifies in times of uncertainty, considering the latest developments in the region. Therefore, the highest possible level of responsibility, wisdom and determination should be kept close to the heart in order to exert the best possible legislative efforts and all-inclusive political dialogues,” he added.

Furthermore, the Assembly approved the general State budget for fiscal 2019/2020. After a closed door session as per the request of the government, Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim confirmed approval of a parliamentary recommendation for the government to conform to international regulations and standards on national budget, future reserves and general governmental expenditures. He added that the report on the financial situation of the country has been referred to the State Audit Bureau (SAB) for review. Additionally, after heated deliberations, the Assembly agreed to refer reports of all parliamentary committees on violations in the Ministry of Health, inability of the country’s infrastructure to handle the recent volume of rain and its consequences, Al-Zour refineries and agricultural plots to the Public Prosecution along with relevant reports from SAB. During the closing ceremony, Al-Ghanim stated that “as legislative and executive authorities, we must evaluate matters and execute decisions based on the language of numbers and facts like a transparent and open document for the general public.”

By Ahmed Al-Naqeeb Arab Times Staff and Agencies

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