(MENAFN- Arab Times) SEVERAL issues raised on social media platforms and media
outlets are about the daily concerns of Kuwaitis that they expect to be
addressed in full, or at least, in part.
They are waiting for His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh
Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah to work on the basic aspects of the government action
plan. Feeling the pulse of people, the incoming Council of Ministers should not
repeat the error committed by its predecessors in order to avoid carrying
unnecessary burdens and loads.
Kuwaitis have long been making fundamental demands known to
all citizens. These are rightful demands in terms of shape and context. For
instance, housing has become a difficult issue due to lackluster attitude
towards realistic execution of the plan as officials in charge use the plan to
serve personal interests or convert it into an electioneering bazaar; thereby,
adding to the burdens of the State and causing social problems to many
families.
Without a doubt, this issue is linked with other cases such
as infrastructure and appropriate planning for new areas which should not be
executed with the mindset of a contractor who strives to make profit at all
cost while tenders deplete public funds through bribery, nepotism or
self-interest. A tender worth KD 1 million should not be awarded for KD 3
million while discovering during execution that it does not satisfy
specifications, does not follow the architectural plan or variation order
becomes basic in everything.
Everybody is aware that there is no development without
contemporary laws which are required to change Kuwait from consuming to
producing nation. This is done in neighboring and advanced countries where
nothing is above the law, so there is no compromise in the promulgation of
laws. The situation here is different as the legislative authority has almost
been transformed into a club for deals by approving draft laws which impede
growth of the country, shut down society, vexatious or against expatriates in a
manner that Kuwaitis will end up paying the price for them. Advanced countries
make things easy for expatriates to ensure they spend their money in these
countries with the feeling of stability, so they boost the economy and do not
bleed these countries through huge remittances abroad.
Add to this the useless method of employing Kuwaitis, because
it makes many of them redundant since they rely on steady income from the
manpower support without exerting any effort; whereas the reason for
establishing the fund is to encourage them to work and make inventions. It
should be spelt out here that many Kuwaiti youth who are very creative need
real investment in various aspects, but it is unfortunate that they lack the
right legislation and management.
Throughout the past years, many reform plans were laid down
to address the lopsided population structure issue; but it is unfortunate that
they were impromptu to a large extent as the real need is encouraging reduction
of expatriates through organized replacement rather than spontaneous action.
This is why the studied plans should not lack scientific facts; and refrain
from using them as a response to the whims of lawmakers, serving the interests
of visa traders or due to the fear of grilling.
Several draft laws are kept in the National Assembly drawers
although they are valuable to the economy and development. They do not consider
these draft laws because they do not serve certain interests – that of
influential figures in or outside the legislative authority. Instead, lawmakers
were busy clashing and muscle flexing with ministers over personal issues. We
have seen how entire parliamentary rounds were completely wasted due to such
messy struggles.
All these issues necessitate fixing the relationship between
the two authorities while changing the approach through an appropriate
government and parliamentary administration. An authority should not overwhelm
the other or interfere in the other's affairs as it has always been for many
years. We are not watching a game between them, so they must complement each
other in serving Kuwait.
This can materialize only through a Council of Ministers that
does not succumb regardless of the height of threat waves. The situation around
us – in Iraq, Lebanon, Iran and others – entails that we should ring the alarm
bell, so procrastination in solving the problems will not become a problem
itself.
Today, His Highness the Prime Minister will meet the
editors-in-chief of media outlets. We hope His Highness will respond to these
and other questions which will be raised by colleagues who report about the
people's pulse.
By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
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