‘Rioters dealt with accordingly’
‘Assembly must confront five challenges’
“SINCE the beginning of the Arab Spring in Tunisia in 2010, the Muslim Brotherhood has been planning to launch the Spring Scheme in the Gulf – starting from Kuwait. At the time, we witnessed what was called as ‘March of Dignity’ organized by unknown people in Kuwait,” columnist Mohammad Al-Mulla wrote for Al-Shahed daily.
“We witnessed marches on the streets aimed at spreading chaos and changing the Constitution into a Muslim Brotherhood constitution for Kuwait to become an Islamic State in the Gulf, led by the Brotherhood that is keen on possessing the wealth of this country in a bid to serve the interests of extremists.
“This was the goal of the rioters, mobsters and demagogues. The State dealt with them wisely, considering the fire was burning in the Arab region – Tunisia, Syria, Yemen and Iraq – but not in Egypt. Definitely, the touches of Hillary Clinton and the international Brotherhood were evident.
“When things calmed down in the Gulf region, thanks to the wisdom of the kings and Amirs of the Gulf, Kuwait survived from the Western-Brotherhood conspiracy. The government began to correct the situation and issued the one-man-one-vote Election Law which restored peace on the streets, giving us relief from the Brotherhood and their followers.
“There was a need for adjustments and control over the street in order to maintain prestige of the law. Consequently, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid was appointed as Interior Minister in 2013 and he strictly applied the law on Kuwaiti streets. We all remember the plot of the Brotherhood in Kuwait when they called for the so-called ‘March of Dignity for the Homeland 8’ gathering at the Grand Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. They tried to mimic Rabi’a Al-Adawiya of Egypt but due to the resoluteness of Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid in applying the law on everyone, prestige of law in the country was restored.
“We have not forgotten that the Interior Ministry plays a pivotal role in drawing the policy of preemptive measures to prevent crimes and terrorist operations. The ministry is considered a sword of firmness, such that the Brotherhood, radicals, followers of Hezbollah, drug dealers and DAESH members wish he will not take up this post because of his resoluteness and love for his homeland.
“We also heard some who criticized the minister and the ministry as a whole simply because they have their own agendas and because the ministry opened files of dual nationalities and citizenship withdrawal, not to mention cutting the hands of terrorism.
“Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid is still the interior minister. He works silently and cooperates with the interior ministers of other Gulf countries in laying down a system for maintaining security in the Gulf and to exchange security information. He and his men provided some Arab countries with information about terrorist operations, so Kuwait played a significant role in preventing a lot of terrorist operations in the region.
“In the end, everyone must know that a person who works for this country is a target, anyone who is honest in this country is a target, anyone who serves the people of Kuwait is a target, and anyone who fights terrorism, the Brotherhood and followers of Hezbollah is a target. Therefore, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid is a target, but he is a wall surrounded with fences which protect the Gulf.”
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“After the recent parliamentary elections, the new National Assembly will face five challenges that must be dealt with seriously,” former MP Dr Abdulrahman Al-Jiran wrote for Al-Rai daily.
“First: It is necessary to determine the criteria for permanent and recurring priorities depending on the circumstances and they should not be exposed to the media or political bidding. Kuwait’s interest and stability are more important than personal gains.
“Second: Major development projects and contracts worth billions signed by Kuwait need efficient cadres, approaches, technical, professional and managerial expertise – whether health, water, power plants, fuel or refinery projects. What are the preparations being made by the National Assembly, government, Kuwait University, Public Authority for Applied Education and the Ministry of Education? They are in hibernation.
“Third: What are the agendas of parliamentary delegations and friendship committees with parliaments of the world? What are the priorities and what message do they convey to the world? What are the results of monitoring and follow-up measures?
“I hope we will not go back to square one and struggle about who visits the United States, London and Japan, and leaves the black continent and South East Asia, particularly since we watch and follow up suspicious ideas promoted by the international media for Kuwait. This requires a serious stand by our distinguished lawmakers every time they travel abroad.
“Fourth: Will MPs keep on completing transactions for certain people although the act is considered a violation of the law and regulations? What will they expect from voters in the event they apologize for not doing so on grounds that their role is limited to supervision and legislation? Are the constituents aware of this fact, which some people regard as one of the disadvantages of the dissolved Assembly?
“Are we going to hear about a refined practice in line with the importance of enforcing the law and ensuring justice for everyone? Or we will go back to square one and the policy of offering services for completing illegal transactions?
“Fifth: Financial allocations -- more than a monitoring body was assigned, documentary processes for contracts and tenders were complex, and projects were disrupted due to acceleration of financial and administrative corruption indicators. We recently noticed the fall of MPs who were suspected of involvement in financial or administrative corruption. This is a clear indication of the role a lawmaker plays and the message he conveys.”
“The democratic experience in Kuwait is the first of its kind and is distinguished by vividness and speed,” Abdulaziz Mohammad Al-Anjari wrote for Al-Seyassah daily.
“The Kuwaiti youth are now represented in the political arena after young lawmakers managed to win 34 seats in the new parliament, constituting 68 percent of the total MPs. They were convinced that they were not represented in the former parliaments and governments since their problems were not being solved and their calls for punishing the negligent were ignored over and over again.
“The results of the recent elections have defied the norms. Many of the candidates who were expected to win as though they have reserved their seats in the parliament ended up losing. The youth won after they adopted a unanimous speech away from sectarianism and tribalism which were on the verge of pushing the country into a dark and endless tunnel.
“The youth are more capable of carrying out the strategic change because they are, in general, less attached to the political and bureaucratic traditions which caused huge delays in meeting real achievements.
“However, my optimism is not unlimited. I expect some mistakes especially from many of the young lawmakers who have reached the parliament for the first time. This is natural. Nevertheless, there is a big problem represented by those who are waiting for these expected mistakes in order to direct the spotlight on them with the aim of blowing them out of proportion for achieving their personal interests.
“I call for lesser expectations over the level of achievement and instead look at the experience through real glasses. Let us not exaggerate our optimism or our pessimism. Let us not expect major achievements during the first year of the parliament.
“However, the 2017 Parliament will eventually be faster and more flexible in overcoming the crises and achieving positive changes. The parliament needs a matching government for meeting it halfway towards achieving a new stage of harmony and cooperation between the two authorities with the aim of realizing one goal which is the interest of the country and citizens.”
“Why were people celebrating and filled with happiness and hope just because they had cast their votes when frustration is the closest description of their actual situation? The situation in Kuwait is generally like this,” Dr Hassan Abdullah Abbas wrote for AlRai daily.
“We all understand that during every election period, we are filled with hope under the belief that the outcome will be favorable for us. However, we later discover that the situation is not just bad but it is definitely worse than before. The issue is not about skepticism as much as being a reality associated with Kuwaiti political activities since the inception of the Constitution.
“Yes, some parliaments were good, but there were some exceptions that should not be repeated because history certifies that they were bad. The current National Assembly, which although may follow the trend of its predecessors, is a source of happiness. It delighted me personally, not because I expect so much from the lawmakers but due to its uniqueness and elimination of the failed lawmakers.”
“We will definitely remember the 2016 National Assembly all our lives, because the youths had revolted and registered acceptance and their voices were heard amidst divergent visions at a time when everyone was tired of empty utterances and self-interests were not hidden,” Masoud Mohammad Al-Ashour wrote for AlQabas daily.
“No matter how much we try to justify the fall of the opposition figures that underwent the parliamentary test, the only thing nobody can dispute is that the ‘one-man one-vote’ system is good for all, especially the independent candidates. The results delighted the independent candidates, which produced promising young generation. They were able to make use of the social media fantastically such that people noticed their logical statements concerning their commitment to democratic trends in the country.
“They recommended reasonable solutions and visions and succeeding in shedding light on all inadequacies. Old and young people, male and female listened to them to such an extent that they were able to defeat most of the former opposition lawmakers without clemency.”
“The 2016 Parliament seems similar to the 2009 Parliament in terms of the political form, balance of power and expected conflicts. The differences are limited to the personalities and their stances, which will be clearer after the first month starting from December 11,” Za’ar Al-Rasheedi wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“There will be grilling sessions which could lead to political conflict. It will take two-three months for the first grilling to be launched. However, as per what was announced, it seems the first grilling will happen in the first month. This parliament is likely to suffer from an unprecedented state of political extremism, but it is possible that this will be contained. I am expecting the dissolution of this parliament due to increase in political extremism if it is not dissolved due to complaints lodged against the validity of the parliament or after rejection of one or more candidates.
“The Cabinet reshuffle, which is expected to be declared by the end of the coming week, will be faced with a huge political attack even if all the ministers are technocrats. This is because of the likelihood of a political conflict which can continue despite true political performance in line with the Constitution. In case the grilling is necessary, there must be other reasons behind.
“Hopefully my opinion could be wrong. This will be certain after the first session ends without the submission of a grilling request irrespective of whether the latter is necessary or not. The local and regional situations must be taken into consideration when taking any action or decision.”
“Elections are over and the people made their decision that changed more than 60 percent of the members of the dissolved Parliament. This will enable them to achieve their dream to reform whatever is possible to be reformed, whereas some think our problems were brought by the boycotters,” columnist Muhammad Al-Ruweihel wrote for Al-Jaridah daily.
“In order to avoid being biased against the State, those hovering around its axis and even the establishment of corruption, we ought to understand the proverb, ‘Your rulers are of your own caliber.’ Most of the outcome of the election and campaigns indicate that majority of us are tribal, sectarian and partisan, in addition to opportunists who only want to protect their own welfare.
“Only very few of you are for change and participation to solve problems and challenges that the country and its people are facing. Their choice of parliamentarians is based on such principle, because many avoided getting to the roots of problems as they decided to choose temporary solutions while hoping for the best.
“What I am trying to say in simple terms is: Neither participation nor change of Parliament members could solve the problems and challenges we are facing as long as we do not want to address the actual problem. Or in simplest words: As long as we do not change what is inside us (perspective), nothing will ever change in our reality and our dreams will not even come close to realization.”