(MENAFN- Arab Times) YOUR Highness, the expression you
used in the remarkable speech delivered during the inauguration of the last
round of the current National Assembly indicates that Kuwaitis are preoccupied
with apprehension over what is happening in some neighboring countries and its
negative implications on Kuwait.
You
expressed concern, fear and agony over what is happening in the local terrain.
You also offered a piece of advice for everybody. All this was appreciated by
Kuwaitis except that the experience about the two authorities – executive and
legislative – shows they should also heed the call by embarking on serious and
fruitful works to rescue Kuwait from the flying regional flame.
Unfortunately,
the Assembly has not shouldered a huge national responsibility in this regard.
Instead of working, they ventured into the intrigues of grilling and
brightening electoral chances. On the other hand, the Cabinet ran away with
resignation. The country is only a few months away from parliamentary elections
whose outcome will form the Assembly according to the supreme interest of the
country.
Yes,
our surroundings in the region are facing massive flames caused by accumulated
dereliction over the years due to negligence, lackadaisical attitude or
intention to control resources of countries; leading to the massive fire. We
are not divulging any secret if we say that it is a hint of what the situation
may become if corruption continues as it is in Kuwait. Series of issues
concerning authorities should be dealt with sincerely so a minor issue does not
become a massive fire.
In this context, we have an
example in Lebanon where citizens revolted against very minor tax (WhatsApp
tax). This occurred after the government consistently ignored demands of the
people and the Parliament got enmeshed in corruption. Things were so bad until
they transformed into a massive fire which does not only entail financial
collapse of the country but also the return of civil war, while regional and
international meddling makes the internal situation more complicated.
His Highness the Head of State,
Since liberation, Kuwaitis have
elected 11 Parliaments; some of which were dissolved because a minister did not
face interpellation or tried to dodge constitutional accountability. This
accountability is part of parliamentary duties, not the exploitation bid of
parliamentarians who work for partisan interests that has become the norm.
Kuwait has had 19 governments.
Battle has been the dominant trait between the two authorities, up to the
extent that one did not last for more than two months. This means the number of
retired ministers reached more than 100.
The question is: Will the work in
the legislative and executive authorities straighten up under such conditions,
considering the average life span of any government is about 15 months?
All this is due to abandonment of
responsibility by majority of MPs and ministers, while corruption is prevalent
in most corridors of the State.
Dear Guardian,
It is painfully sad that the
Cabinet and parliamentary members did not deliberate on the challenges that
people in this country are facing in a bid to find solutions. In fact, they did
nothing but master the art of ignoring such challenges.
HH the Amir, our guardian,
Certain issues can be solved
without the State bearing the cost such as putting the housing issue in the
hands of the private sector as it is practiced in Oman, Saudi Arabia and
several other countries. All that the State handles is the profit generated
from housing schemes.
If this is implemented, there
will be no rent exceeding the cost, such as accommodation allowances for civil
servants and other issues which increase the financial burden of the State.
In the health sector, the matter
is almost like a boat with a hole, especially after the overseas treatment
transformed into illegal gain at the expense of public wealth.
For instance, is it rational for
the Health Ministry's budget to be about KD 2 billion and most of which is
spent on overseas medical tourism for the sake of political or electoral gain,
while the health infrastructure continues to retrogress?
Is it not better to allocate this
money for the development of such a vital sector to become a medical tourism
destination as it is done in several other countries?
Also, the Bedoun issue is not
unique as many other countries are suffering or have suffered from this
predicament; yet they were able to put in place solutions which contained the
issue or even ended it permanently except in Kuwait where it continues to grow
due to stalling or self-interest.
Parliamentarians made this issue
a seasonal assignment, while the government goes along with them; in addition
to spontaneous decisions regarding the population structure which tainted
Kuwait image abroad.
On the recurring loans issue over
the years, both the executive and legislative authorities seem unaware of it;
maybe because it is one of the sources of electoral gains and every concerned
official looks after his own interest.
However, there might be some
solutions to the issue including the amendment of legal procedures as a debtor
cannot pay the loan while he is behind bars. Can we imagine a Kuwaiti leaving
his homeland to run away from a dishonored check? A number of advanced
countries no longer enforce such procedures. Those countries provide facilities
to the debtor in order to help him pay instead of sending him to jail where he
will lose any power to gain or pay money.
Your Highness,
Many problems can be solved and
prevented from accumulating. Kuwaitis are not asking for miracles. They need
solutions to simple issues. Thus, the main request is a government which can
work away from parliamentary pressure. Government must not include ministers
with common personal interests connecting them and some MPs. What is needed is
a powerful government capable of putting an end to corruption and tackling its
resources, fearless of the most powerful Parliament where there is no place for
verbal disputes. What is needed is a government which works hard in the
interest of the country so as not to reach the critical point that breaks the
back of a camel when crying over ruins is useless.
By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
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