Speaker upbeat on legislative agenda – Results soon

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KUWAIT CITY, March 5: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim confirmed Sunday that MPs have coordinated their efforts to resolve some issues, hoping to see results soon.

In a press statement, Al- Ghanim stressed that “crises and problems are solved only through dialogue and understanding, not threats and provocations.” He called on everyone to be optimistic affirming that benevolent efforts are always blessed by God Almighty.

In this context, MP Sadoun Hammad said he and some MPs met HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday. They presented to the Amir an initiative to sympathize with people whose citizenship was withdrawn, affirming there are positive indicators about the case.

MP Mohamed Al-Dalal revealed there have been series of meetings between the government and MPs on the citizenship cancellation issue during which they presented ideas and proposals. He hailed the positive role being played by heads of the executive and legislative authorities in addressing the issue. He also called for optimism and patience in using use constitutional tools to deal with the issue, stressing such files will not be resolved through threats and provocations.

MP Hamoud Al-Khodair praised efforts to reinstate the citizenship of some people, reaffirming his confidence in the political leadership that fully understands these efforts were made possible through peaceful dialogue, away from threats or escalation of tension. He pointed out this is a sensitive and thorny issue that requires positive involvement rather than focusing on political gains. He confirmed the proposal to amend the Citizenship Law has been included in the agenda for the next parliamentary session. He disclosed the amendment stipulates the right of a person stripped off his citizenship to resort to the court. He hopes the Parliament will reach an agreement with the government on this proposal.

Meanwhile, MP Safa Al-Hashem has forwarded queries to Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh about the Public Authority for Social Security, given the complexity and variety of sources of information about companies owned by the authority; in addition to ambiguities in management methods and procedures. She wants to know the percentage of the authority’s ownership of Wafra Intervest Company. She also demanded for proof of ownership and distribution of dividends (shares) to other partners, if any; names of members representing the authority in this company; qualifications of these members; bonuses and financial benefits granted to higher executive management; their job titles in the last five years (2012 to 2017); committees if any; total number of employees in the company as well as their salaries or wages; unexpected financial statements for the years 2015 to 2016; and net profits of the company. In another development, the Parliamentary Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee approved stripping MP Ahmad Al-Fadhel of his parliamentary immunity.

Moreover, the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee discussed draft laws on constitutional and legal aspects and approved some proposals like amendment of the law regarding vacations and deduction of social insurance fees for private sector employees, establishment of an authority for drug prevention, and granting exceptional privileges to retired civilian and military personnel. Committee Chairman MP Mohammed Al-Dalal added the panel also talked about its priorities such as draft laws on combating corruption, conflict of interests, appointment of officials and judiciary. He went on to confirm that the committee approved the request of the Public Prosecution to lift the immunity of MP Ahmed Nabil Al-Fadel. However, the committee rejected the proposed establishment a council for higher education as well as scientific and technological development due to suspicion of constitutional violations, the lawmaker concluded.

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff and Agencies

This news has been read 6665 times!