Oil, Social Affairs face ‘no-confidence’ – Ministers likely to survive test, says Speaker

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AMIR LAUDS PM, MPs ON PARLIAMENTARY DECORUM

KUWAIT CITY, May 2: Speaker of the National Assembly, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, based on the comments made by several MPs, said he expects Thursday’s session to renew confidence in Minister of Oil Bakheet Al-Rashidi and Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh. Speaking about the marathon session which saw three grilling motions, and filing of two no-confidence motions against Al-Rashidi and Al-Sabeeh.

Al-Ghanim told reporters the first grilling request was submitted by MPs Abdul Wahab Al-Babtain and Omar Al-Tabtabaei against Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity and Water Bakheet Al-Rashidi. He added, a no-confidence motion has been filed against the minister and the voting on the motion will take place during Thursday’s session on May 10. He added, if a request is submitted for the formation of a commission of inquiry in this regard then the issue will be voted on at the same session.

He said, the second grilling request was filed by MP Hamdan Azmi against the Prime Minister and the government submitted a request for a closed-door session followed by the disciplinary procedures which were announced at the session and approved by a majority of MPs present. He added, following the grilling no request for non-cooperation was filed against the prime minister.

The third grilling motion was submitted by MP Saleh Ashour against the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh. The request for no-confidence was submitted against the minister by 10 MPs and the voting on the motion will take place on Thursday, May 10 during a special session.

Al-Ghanim thanked “all my brothers and sisters, MPs and ministers for their cooperation in ending this marathon session.”

In a related issue, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has sent a cable to his brother Sheikh Jaber Al- Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister, in which he praised the excellent democratic practice and distinguished performance of the Premier on the grilling points during the interpellation. He also praised the MPs for showing the spirit of responsibility and sound parliamentary practice within the framework of their constitutional rights.

His Highness prayed to Almighty God to help everyone serve the dear homeland and work towards progress and growth to bring prosperity for the nation. Minister of Oil Bakheet Al-Rashidi said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will focus on stabilizing the market and managing oil supply, not price, when it meets in June.

Asked whether OPEC will increase production to reduce prices after comments by US President Donald Trump last month accusing OPEC of ‘artificially’ hiking the prices, Al-Rashidi said: “We never talk about prices.

We are talking about the stability of the market and control, which have a significant impact on the stocks of oil materials in global markets to bring stability to the market, especially consumers and producers.” The minister made the remarks a day after Kuwaiti MPs filed a no-confidence motion against him. Rashidi said he has no intention of resigning ahead of a no-confidence vote.

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff

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