Glory of nations built by a leader whose weapon is ‘strong desire’

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HERE we are, the Amiri decree has been issued on the appointment of His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf as Prime Minister and assigning him the task to nominate members of the new Cabinet.

Based on what Kuwaitis have been witnessing over the past months — reform steps taken by His Highness as per the directives of His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince, it can be said that things are on the right track.  If Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf continues with this enthusiasm, which is what Kuwaitis desire, he will get rid of the consequences of the previous stage.

It is common knowledge throughout the world that the rise of countries is due to the determination of a leading person to develop his country — whether he is a king, a prince, a president or a prime minister.

In this manner, the democratic and non-democratic states are equal; as the leader commands, directs and instructs.  He chooses competent assistants and specialized teams to perform the tasks assigned to them.

For decades, Kuwait, especially after liberation, has been suffering from the scourge of laziness, procrastination and absurd parliamentary-governmental bickering.

Development was disrupted and large projects were canceled, such as the northern economic zone and the Northern Fields Development project.  The idea was simply to develop seven oil fields in the northern part of the country.

Also, the construction of an international airport, ports, bridges and residential cities were cancelled due to the government; because it did not market the projects in the media and politically, and left it at the mercy of the parliamentary artillery.  The same thing happened with the Silk City project and development of the islands.

The then executive authority wasted time during that era, leading to further economic and development decline at a time it was important to have a developed infrastructure.

However, it remains without any benefit if it does not serve other productive projects that serve the people and the country.  The last government announced several projects that remained ink on paper due to its short life.

Nonetheless, today and after the appointment of the Prime Minister, these projects are about to resurrect, although he is expected to face a difficult test in moving forward, achieving, defending them; and consolidating the confidence of the political leadership and citizens in him.  His failure will undoubtedly lead to many consequences for his political career.

Therefore, His Highness must be fully aware of whom he chooses to help him; away from any pressure, as the prevailing situation in Kuwait is that with the start of the search for ministers, the flames of the candidacy exchange raged along with the phrases — “this is worthy of so-and-so” or “offering the position to so-and-so.”

In addition to tribal and sectarian accolades for mere media consumption or an attempt to put pressure on the political leadership to choose any of their favorites, their failure will soon prove to be the case and they will become a burden on the Prime Minister.

Today, Kuwait needs a government that achieves development par excellence, implements the law on the old before the young, and is able to follow the directives of His Highness the Crown Prince who has been entrusted by His Highness the Amir with the management of public affairs.

The quota system and ‘this is our son’ principle are the main reasons behind the decline of Kuwait and all the challenges it is currently facing.

By Ahmad Al-Jarallah

Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times

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