Sheikh Mohammad Al-Sabah, be at par with people’s elation

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SHEIKH Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, there is no doubt that your biography is honorable. You are aware of all the circumstances that the country has gone through in recent years, and the hopes that people place on you.

Many Kuwaitis believe that you may be Kuwait’s equivalent to Singapore’s savior Lee Kuan Yew at this stage, especially since everyone remembers your position on corruption and bribery, and your withdrawal from office so as not to be tainted by that.

However, we know without a doubt that you did not withdraw from Kuwait and its concerns.

Everyone also knows your regional and international relations, especially with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and your distinguished presence in the Gulf, Arab and international circles. They know your political and economic lectures, and your refusal to return to the ministry in previous governments.

All this was aimed to avoid being a false witness to the crimes of corruption, the “looting” of public funds, and the clandestine deals that usually took place at night.

In this regard, His Highness the Amir was clear in his statement about his dissatisfaction with corruption, and he responded to some, but the workshop awaits you to complete what His Highness announced.

Sheikh Mohammad, welcome to the first executive position. As citizens, we say the country needs a lot of work to get out of the closed cycle of relying on oil and foreign investments in the national product.

As everyone knows, closing the country to investors as a result of the adoption of backward and strict laws and decisions has the nature of personal self-interest, far from scientific study and the interest of the country. It is one of the reasons that made Kuwait, par excellence, an investment repellent.

The neighboring countries, even those that were strict in this regard, changed their systems and laws and opened up to the world, because they believed it is the most important factor for stability and prosperity.

Today, Kuwait is suffering from the consequences of the absurd conflict between the two authorities – the legislative and the executive. The consequences of it have led to several crises that are painful for the people, especially since this was based on the principle of “grilling and questioning for a price.”

We saw in the recent impeachment of the Prime Minister the ridiculous way it proceeded, how it was devised, and the deals that were concluded in a dark night for it.

Your Highness the new Prime Minister, we, as citizens and observers, have the right to say what is on our minds.

Today, the country needs specialized ministers, not employee and quota ministers.

The country also needs open minds that understand well what must be done to serve Kuwait, and to correct the relationship between the two authorities so that they are based on cooperation, and at the same time, separation of power.

This is the same as the relationship in democratic countries. If it is a healthy relationship, it does not suffer from distortions that overshadow political and economic stability.

It is also necessary to amend the Constitution for the better as well as the backward laws that were put in place about 60 years ago and were not developed despite the change in the world, and destroy everything that was built on interests that serve a specific group.

In addition, the corruption that the country suffers from has made it appear as though it is running without a vision or purpose.

Therefore, welcome to the battlefield again. The task before you is great.

In this position, you may today remember the two verses of poetry that your father, the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem, narrated during an occasion – “My people and I are all united by one religion. The goal is to serve the people by putting their interest and that of the country above all considerations.”

This is undoubtedly one of the challenges facing you, because what is popularly required is that you work by this rule.

As you enter the arena again on the back of a thoroughbred horse, it is your honorable biography and the great legacy you carry.

Finally, Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, be at par with people’s elation.

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah

Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times

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