MPs Slam Decision To Allocate KD 50m To Mark National Day

The government’s decision to allocate KD 50 million (US $ 173m) for celebrating National and Liberation days came under severe criticism from lawmakers who are accusing it of depleting public funds, reports Al-Rai daily.

Ministerial sources, however, assured that the total costs won’t exceed KD 5 million and added that National and Liberation days are dear to all citizens and they should be marked appropriately.

The government has asked the Finance Ministry to monitor the spending process, said sources, adding the Chairperson of the Higher Committee for these celebrations Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad is keen on protecting public funds, but refused to take responsibility of financial affairs.

Meanwhile, MP Mohammad Al-Huwaila is trying to get children’s allowance increased to KD 100 by next session, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.

Sources say the lawmaker is planning to tell the committee handling the proposal to expedite its work and submit report to the Parliament for deliberation and approval. Sources indicated that all lawmakers agree on the proposal due to inflation and price hikes in the country.

Kuwaiti MP and Deputy Head of the Kuwaiti-Syrian Parliamentary Friendship Committee Mohammad Al-Huwailah called on the government to support the proposal “as it boils down to benefit of citizens. It is unfortunate that children’s allowance was not increased in the past 20 years while salaries and social allowances of employees were constantly revised and increased.”

In the meantime, the Foreign Affairs Ministry is the entity that represents the government during negotiations with other countries, says a reliable source in the ministry, adding “it is not a lawmaker or any official’s duty to undertake such tasks regardless of how good their intentions are,” reports Al-Dar daily.

The official made the statement when asked to comment about MP Waleed Al-Tabtabaei who discussed with Lebanese Prime Minister the status of a Kuwaiti citizen Mohammed Al-Dosri, alias Abu Talhah, who is currently being detained in Lebanon.

Al-T abtabaei, who heads a delegation of Kuwaiti-Lebanese Parliamentary Friendship Committee, said they tackled several issues of mutual interest, in addition to discussing investments and tourism opportunities, as well as Kuwait’s contribution in Lebanon’s development.

He added that they discussed other issues on the sidelines like the case of Abu Talhah, in addition to issues related to water and price hikes. In another development, calls for the return of compulsory military service in Kuwait have drawn various reactions from lawmakers, reports Al-Hurriya quoting sources.

Lawmaker Hassan Jowhar has affirmed that the previous experience of the country in requiring the citizens to render military service within a certain period only resulted in the wastage of time and money. Corroborating his colleague’s statement, lawmaker Naji Al-Abdulhadi outrightly rejected the return of the compulsory military service, considering Kuwait had earlier failed in this aspect. He argued if the country is seriously taking this move into consideration, then it should first introduce new merits to encourage the Kuwaiti youths and it must be voluntary, not obligatory.

Stating he is open to the return of the compulsory military service provided certain amendments are made in the interest of the country and its people, lawmaker Hussain Al-Huraiti proposed reducing the period of the compulsory service and include it in the number of years of the employees’ service in their regular jobs.

Lawmaker Hussein Mezyed confirmed the issue has been referred to the National Assembly and the government will soon present a draft bill on the amendment of the old law to be in line with the latest developments and in accordance with the current needs of the nation. He said he will support the amended law as long as it is beneficial to the country.

Lawmaker Khaled Al-Sultan is in favor of the idea. He underlined the importance of compulsory military service to maintain n the security and stability of the country. He urged the public to trust in the ability of the citizens, especially the youth, while calling to mind how the Kuwaitis defended their nation during the Iraqi invasion.

- Asian Tribune -