Al-Ghanim wins Speakership

This news has been read 52057 times!

AMIR URGES MPs TO HONOR ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 15: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah inaugurated the National Assembly’s 16th Legislative session Tuesday, urging MPs to honor the aspirations of the people who elected them. His Highness the Amir, in his inauguration speech, called upon the Parliament members to meet aspirations of people “who placed a huge burden upon their shoulders” for the sake of achieving development.

His Highness the Amir said the world and region were witnessing crucial circumstances, and urged the MPs to exercise the genuine democracy, be a role model and to achieve. “I urge them to place an urgent reform program … to reach sustainable development … which required active cooperation between the government and National Assembly … and to achieve common benefits,” said His Highness the Amir.

His Highness the Amir said the parliament members should “work as one team, shoulder-toshoulder” in order to have a prosperous and secured nation. His Highness the Amir paid tribute to the contributions of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and reaffirmed keenness to follow his path. His Highness the Amir, meanwhile, congratulated MP Ahmad Khalifa Rashed Al-Shohoumi for his election as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Tuesday, wishing him success for his service of the nation. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Mubarak Al-Sabah also congratulated the MP for his election, wishing him success. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaeid Al-Sabah said he is proud of the democratic and fair elections. He stressed the importance of commitment on the part of the government in fighting against coronavirus, affirming the government will present its program as per Article 66 of the Constitution.

He pointed out this will be a practical program as it will focus on combating corruption and developing services offered to the public. He revealed the program will ensure that the government remains committed to the principles governing the relationship of Kuwait with other countries, as well as maintaining good relations between GCC countries which share the same fate and represent a united entity.

On the other hand, MP Marzouq Al-Ghanim was re-elected as National Assembly Speaker during the opening of the 16th legislative term on Tuesday.

Preceded A heated argument preceded the election of the speaker as the opposition MPs asked the most senior lawmaker – Hamad Al- Harshani – to respond to their request to hold the election publicly. Al-Harshani argued that the National Assembly Decree stipulates electing the speaker secretly; citing the opinion of constitutional experts Professor Muhammad Al-Fili and Dr Ibrahim Al-Homoud, as well as the consultant at the Assembly, that the election must be confidential. Al-Ghanim won 33 votes while his opponent – MP Badr Al-Humaidi – got 28 votes.

The total number of MPs and ministers is 65, but only 64 participated in the election due to the absence of Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali who excused himself from the session. Three votes were nullified due to the selection of both candidates. Sources said the nullified votes were that of HH Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled, a deputy prime minister and one minister; clarifying this is a way of expressing the neutral position of the government.

Other sources stated the nullified votes are that of three MPs, who previously announced their decision to vote for Al-Humaidi but changed their mind later. This seems plausible considering some MPs were keen on taking photos of their ballots to prove their commitment to the agreement to vote for Al-Humaidi. It is believed that the three MPs initially voted for Al-Humaidi, took photos of their ballots and then voted for Al-Ghanim; hence, the nullification of their votes. After the election, Al-Ghanim assumed his post and delivered his speech during which he praised his opponent. He affirmed that the result reflected the nation’s will as it is based on the opinion of most MPs. He said personal disputes are not in the interest of the nation and there is no time to waste on useless arguments.

The Assembly then moved to the election of other positions. MP Ahmed Al-Shuhoumi was elected as deputy speaker with 41 votes while the other candidate – MP Hassan Jawhar – got 19 votes only. MP Farz Al-Daihani was elected as secretary general with 39 votes while his opponent – MP Saadoun Hamad – got 20 votes. MP Osama Al-Shaheen was named observer. The election of the chairpersons and members of parliamentary committees was postponed until the next session.

Speaker Al-Ghanim adjourned the session until Dec 22, 2020. In another development, MP Marzouq Al-Khalifa has submitted seven bills on the most urgent issues as follows: ■ General amnesty, ■ Amendment of the Administrative Court Law to expand the power of the judicial authority in order to cover the withdrawal of nationality, ■ Addressing the problems of Bedouns, ■ Amendment of the one-manone vote system, ■ Changing the number of constituencies, ■ Cancellation of the imprisonment stipulation in the Cybercrimes Law, ■ Preventing the government from increasing the prices of fuel and electricity without the approval of the Assembly.

Al-Khalifa revealed his bill on Bedouns is based on the vision of Kuwait Lawyers Society. Chairperson of the Kuwaiti Al-Nazaha national association Mohammad Al-Otaibi on Tuesday said His Highness the Amir address at today’s parliamentary session set the stage for full scale reforms. Al-Otaibi, in a statement, said His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s speech called for bolstering citizens’ role in building state institutions.

He called on all Kuwaitis to adopt the approach set by His Highness the Amir for furthr progress and prosperity. The association chair also lauded the statement by His Highnss the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah that set the framework for reforms, combating corrupton and boosting development. MP Hamad Al-Harshani, chairman of Tuesday’s National Assembly first session of the 16th legislative term, expressed admiration and gratitude for the top participant, His Highness the Amir, wishing him success in Kuwait’s leadership. The senior legislator affirmed that achieving inter-GCC reconciliation is a stone’s throw away and has appealed to His Highness the Amir to mercilessly clamp down on corruption and the corrupt to ensure the country’s process of development.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff and Agencies

This news has been read 52057 times!