‘Board members first line of defense against graft’

KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Minister of Social, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah called on the members appointed by the ministry to the boards of directors of cooperative societies to carry out their oversight and reform responsibilities with utmost integrity, impartiality and honesty. Al-Huwailah made the statement during her meeting with the appointed members on Sunday, when they discussed mechanisms for strengthening oversight and improving performance. She asserted that the tasks entrusted to these members are considered a national responsibility and reformative duty to rectify violations and address shortcomings once identified. She affirmed that the funds of cooperative societies belong to the shareholders and preserving these funds is a national duty. She cited another responsibility related to protecting public funds, state properties and the subsidies provided to cooperative societies. She stressed that the appointed members are the first line of defense for these funds, and that their role is not limited to attendance, as it extends to oversight, monitoring, documentation, and submitting observations accurately and objectively.

She added that government work always requires continuous review, audit and evaluation, while pointing out several observations in cooperative societies that necessitate raising the level of oversight, operational and financial performance, and applying regulations and decisions firmly and impartially. She underscored the need to document all observations and violations, and report them to the relevant authorities as quickly as possible. She explained that decisions to dissolve the boards of directors or dismiss some board members are due to the discovery of serious violations, emphasizing that the appointment of replacement board members must be based on a clear reform plan that addresses the shortcomings and prevents the recurrence of violations. She stated that the reports submitted by the appointed members must be professional, accurate and objective, given the critical decisions that result from them, such as dissolution, dismissal or referral to investigative bodies. She urged the appointed members to reject gifts, privileges, pressure, favoritism or attempts to manipulate reports, and to avoid suspicion of seeking personal gain or conflict of interest.

She added that the ministry will require these members to sign a pledge of no conflict of interest and full commitment to integrity and transparency standards. She underscored the need to maintain the confidentiality of information and documents and to refrain from sharing them except within the bounds of the law. She called for respectful treatment of the boards of directors and employees of cooperative societies in face-to-face meetings or through regular communication channels, indicating that courtesy does not conflict with strict oversight. She warned that negligence at work will result in disciplinary or penal action in accordance with the law. She also stressed the importance of continuous development and familiarity with the legislation, regulations and decisions governing cooperative work, as well as the consolidation of governance and transparency principles, and absolute avoidance of social media or media appearances. She confirmed that the ministry supports every sincere and courageous employee who speaks the truth and performs his duties honestly, does not wrong anyone, and does not tolerate negligence. She said the interest of Kuwait is a red line, and that the success of the appointed members in performing their oversight and reform roles is also the success of the ministry and cooperative work.

By Fares Ghaleb Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff