Kuwaiti MP Nabil Al-Fadel (center), speaks to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah (left), and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah during a Parliament session on Dec 22

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 22: MP Nabil Nouri Al-Fadel died during the regular parliamentary session on Tuesday. Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim announced Al-Fadel’s demise, saying the latter lost consciousness inside the Assembly Hall while the session was ongoing. He adjourned the session until Jan 12, 2016. Medical emergency team and Ministry of Health Undersecretary Khalid Al-Sahlawi attempted to revive Al-Fadel but they failed and then he was pronounced dead.

Members of the legislative and executive authorities issued statements mourning the death of Al-Fadel. In his statement, the Speaker said Al-Fadel passed away while performing his national duty as a representative of the nation; as a member of the Parliament and as a legislator. “We were shocked by this sudden departure which left a lump and sorrow in our souls, but the rule of God is inevitable when the last hour of any person comes … May Allah Almighty bestow His vast mercy on him, give him abode in His vast paradise, and grant his family patience and fortitude …,” the Speaker narrated. A statement from the National Assembly Office described the late Al-Fadel as persistent and active even at the last minute of his life despite his health condition. He always imbibed the spirit of optimism.

His illness did not stop him from attending legislative sessions and meetings of committees as he contributed with sincerity and dedication in performing legislative and oversight roles, the statement added. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mubarak Al-Khreinej pointed out Al- Fadel was the most active of the MPs in terms of attendance and commitment to his work in the Parliament.

He regards the death of Al-Fadel as a huge loss for the nation and the Parliament, indicating “Al- Fadel was known for his patriotism and love for Kuwait and its people. With his death, Kuwait lost a loyal son as he was a fierce defender of the country and its political system. He worked for the elevation and stability of Kuwait.” Earlier during the session, Al-Fadel criticized ministers who signed transactions of MPs inside the Assembly Hall. He said, “We demand the presidency to prevent MPs from submitting their transactions to ministers during the session. This is totally uncivilized and unacceptable so His Highness the Prime Minister and the Presidency of the Parliament should intervene in this matter.”

Al-Fadel was born in 1949. He had a degree in civil aviation and worked as a pilot at Kuwait Airport Corporation (KAC). He was a company manager, member of Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) and a columnist. He came in eighth place in the Third Constituency with 8,675 votes in the 2012 parliamentary elections. During the fourth session of the current Parliament, Al-Fadel was a member of the Legislative, Legal Affairs and Public Utilities committees. In the 2012 Parliament, he joined the Budgets, Final Accounts and Housing Affairs committees.

Al-Fadel began his legislative career criticizing stances taken by Islamist and tribal opposition MPs. Tension between liberals and Islamist tribal conservatives rose dramatically a day before elections with Al-Mutair tribe protesters attempting to break-into Al-Watan TV station in protest against Al-Fadel’s interview.

Tribesmen consider Al-Fadel a close ally of another opposition critic and controversial MP Mohammed Al-Juwaihel. Meanwhile, by-elections will be held in the Third Constituency to choose the replacement of Al-Fadel. Article 84 of the Constitution states that “If, for any reason, a seat in the National Assembly becomes vacant before the end of the term, the vacancy is filled through an election within two months from the date on which the Assembly declares the vacancy.

The mandate of the new member lasts until the end of that of his predecessor. If the vacancy occurs within six months prior to the expiry of the legislative term of the Assembly, no successor is elected”. Therefore, the announcement will be made about the vacancy of Al-Fadel’s seat in the next parliamentary session, to be followed by the government’s call for a by-election in the Third Constituency.

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff