Al-Ghanim voices objection to Deputy PM appointment

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KUWAIT CITY, June 21: MP Marzouq Al-Ghanim released a press statement at the National Assembly podium after the inaugural session Tuesday. He disclosed that he requested the floor after the oath taking of the government and lawmakers, but he was not allowed to speak under the pretext that the relevant law prohibits holding discussions prior to the election of the speaker. He argued his request was not to hold a discussion; citing as an example the dialogues in the sessions held on Dec 25, 1964 and Jan 5, 1965 when it was concluded that lawmakers can record comments on the formation of the government after the latter’s oath taking.

He explained that he wanted to record his objection to the appointment of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense as it violates Article 125 of the Constitution, which states: “Whoever is appointed to a ministerial position must meet the conditions stated in Article 82. This article states that a citizen nominated to a ministerial position must have not been convicted of a crime against honor and honesty.”

He added the appointment of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd also contravenes the ruling of the Constitutional Court on July 16, 2008. He asserted no one and nothing in this world can intimidate him; stressing he will continue to say the truth in the Assembly and if he is prevented from doing so, he will say it on the podium. Responding to Al-Ghanim, Dean of the College of Law at Kuwait University Professor Faisal Al-Kandari pointed out that Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd is qualified for the position and his appointment is 100 percent correct.

He said if Al-Ghanim was referring to verdicts of foreign courts against Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd, he clarified that such verdicts are not recorded in the disclosure of a Kuwaiti citizen. Meanwhile, MP Badr Al-Mulla has submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court against the results of the recent parliamentary election. He claimed that he should be in eighth place in the Second Constituency, not 10th.

On the other hand, MPs Hassan Jowhar, Mehalhal Al- Mudhaf, Abdullah Al-Mudhaf, Muhannad Al-Sayer and Abdulkareem Al- Kandari have submitted two bills — amendment of Election Law number 35/1962 and establishment of a shareholding company to build residential cities. They suggested that 25 to 50 percent of the proposed company’s shares will be allocated for public subscription, six to 24 percent for public institutions that will be specified by the Council of Ministers, and 26 to 49 percent for the contracting company that will submit the lowest bid.

MPs Majed Al-Mutairi, Muhammad Al- Regaib, Muhammad Al-Mahan, Muhammad Al-Hewaila and Muhammad Hayef Al-Mutairi submitted a bill to amend Civil Service Law number 15/1979. MPs Abdulkareem Al-Kandari, Muhannad Al- Sayer, Abdulaziz Al-Saqaabi, Abdullah Al- Mudhaf and Abdulwahab Al-Essa have proposed the cancellation of the local agent requirement, so the public institutions can sign contracts directly with foreign companies.

In addition, a number of parliamentary committees have elected their chairpersons and rapporteurs. MP Khalid Al-Otaibi was elected chairman of the Interior and Defense Affairs Committee and MP Muhammad Al-Mahan as rapporteur; MP Muhannad Al-Sayer as Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee chairman and MP Osama Al-Shaheen as rapporteur; MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri as Financial and Economic Affairs Committee chairman and MP Abdulwahab Al-Essa as rapporteur; MP Hamad Al-Matar as chairman of the Educational, Culture and Guidance Affairs Committee and MP Abdulhadi Al-Ajmi as rapporteur; MP Adel Al-Damkhi as Budgets and Final Accounts Committee chairman and MP Osama Al-Zaid as rapporteur; MP Mehalhal Al-Mudhaf as Public Funds Protection Committee chairman and MP Hamad Al-Elyan as rapporteur; and MP Muhammad Hayef Al-Mutairi as Values Enhancement Committee chairman and MP Hamad Al-Obaid as rapporteur.

Rapporteur of the Budgets and Final Accounts Committee MP Osama Al-Zaid confirmed that the committee is serious in expediting the completion of its report on the State budget, which must be ratified before the end of the first session of the 17th parliamentary term. Moreover, Speaker of the Arab Parliament Adel Al-Asoomi sent a cable to Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun to congratulate him on being elected as speaker.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Tuesday cables of congratulations to MPs who won membership of National Assembly committees, wishing them success in serving the dear homeland.

His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Tuesday a cable of congratulations to MP Mohammad Al-Huwaila on being named, by acclamation, as National Assembly Observer, wishing him success in serving the dear homeland.

His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah sent similar cables to Al-Huwaila. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Tuesday a cable of congratulations to Dr. Mubark Humoud Al-Tasha on being named, by acclamation, as National Assembly Trustee, wishing him success in serving the dear homeland. His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah sent similar cables to Dr. Al-Tasha. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff and Agencies

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