By Abubakar A. Ibrahim MP keeps immunity

KUWAIT CITY, May 10: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah faced two interpellation motions behind closed doors Wednesday.

The no-confidence vote against the premier did not push through as the proponents of the interpellations failed to collect the signatures of 10 lawmakers.

After the debate on the first interpellation motion submitted by MPs Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Mohamed Al-Mutair and Shuaib Al-Muwaizri; the Parliament agreed to set up a commission of inquiry consisting of MPs Rakan Al-Nisf, Jaman Al-Harbash and Auda Al-Ruwaei to follow up issues mentioned in the grilling.

An hour before the end this debate, six MPs reportedly signed the no-confidence motion against the prime minister — Waleed Al-Tabtabaei , Riyadh Al-Adsani, Shuwaib Al-Muwaizri, Mohammed Al-Mutair, Abdulkareem Al-Kandari and Abdullah Al-Roumi.

In their request, the MPs cited articles 101 and 102 of the Constitution in presenting the no-confidence motion against the premier. Article 101 (Vote of No Confidence) [1] Every minister is answerable to the National Assembly on affairs of his ministry. If the Assembly passes a vote of no-confidence against the minister, he is considered to have resigned as from the date of the vote of noconfidence and shall immediately submit his formal resignation. The question of confidence in a minister may not be raised except upon his request or upon a demand signed by 10 members, following a debate on an interpellation addressed to him. The Assembly may not make its decision upon such a request before the lapse of seven days from the presentation thereof.

Vote

[2] Withdrawal of confidence from a minister is by majority vote of the members constituting the Assembly excluding ministers as they do not participate in the vote of no-confidence.

Article 102 (No-Confidence in the Prime Minister)

[1] The Prime Minister does not hold any portfolio, nor shall the question of confidence in him be raised before the National Assembly.

[2] Nevertheless, if the National Assembly decides, in the manner specified in the preceding article, that it cannot cooperate with the Prime Minister, the matter is submitted to the Head of State. In such a case, the Amir may either relieve the Prime Minister of office and appoint a new Cabinet or dissolve the National Assembly.

[3] In the event of dissolution, if the new Assembly decides by the abovementioned majority vote that it cannot cooperate with the said Prime Minister, he shall be considered to have resigned as from the date of the decision of the Assembly in this respect, and a new Cabinet shall be formed.

A source also disclosed that MPs Saleh Ashour and Faisal Al-Kandari spoke against the prime minister’s grilling, while MPs Jaman Al-Harbash and Ali Al-Daqbasi spoke in favor.

Earlier, Parliament Speaker Marzouq AlGhanim ordered the audience to vacate Abdullah Al-Salem Hall in order to start discussing the grilling motion against the premier in a secret session at the request of Minister of Justice and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Dr Faleh Al-Azeb.

Al-Azeb explained the government requested discussion of the two grilling motions behind closed doors based on constitutional responsibility and full confidence in the constructive response of the Parliament which maintains proper parliamentary practice within constitutional frameworks.

Since these two interpellations against the prime minister included allegations that the government might touch people’s privacy and affect them if discussed openly, the minister pointed out that Article 30 of the Constitution guarantees personal freedom; thereby, disallowing discussion of certain grilling points openly. He disclosed the first grilling motion includes accusations of suspicious transactions in exaggerating prices of weapons, including the Euro fighter deal, and these are considered military secrets which cannot be discussed in detail in an open session as it may affect the information given. He said this is due to considerations of the country’s supreme interests, so it is necessary to maintain confidentiality.

The minister added Article 94 of the Constitution allows holding a secret session, stipulating that “Sittings of the National Assembly are public, though they may be held in secret upon the request of the government, the president of the Assembly or 10 of its members. The debate on such request is held secretly.”

The minister affirmed that interpellation is one of the most important parliamentary oversight tools, allowing the Assembly to look into

the work of the executive branch. He added the Constitution specified practices of an MP who should meet all the established constitutional norms and rules while protecting public interests.

At the beginning of the debate, the speaker obtained approval of the Parliament to accept the letter of AlMuwaizri who requested joining AlTabtabaei and Al-Mutair in presenting the grilling motion instead of Marzouk Al-Khalifa whose membership was revoked by the Constitutional Court on May 3, 2017.

The first grilling motion consisted of five points: first is about the violation of law and abuse of power by the government in a selective, retaliatory or politically motivated manner in its interpretation and application of laws by issuing decrees and revoking citizenship of some people.

The second point is violation of international treaties and conventions and abuse of power by the government in a selective, retaliatory or politically motivated manner by issuing legislation that is contrary to its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The third point revolves around rampant corruption and insistence on appointing incompetent and unqualified people to key and strategic positions, while removing competent people with proven aptitudes.

The fourth point addresses the government’s action program that was not prepared on solid foundations and failure to keep strategic assets of the State.

The fifth point focuses on faults of the government such as increasing burdens of citizens and violating the prin-

ciple of equality.

On the other hand, the second grilling motion against the premier which was filed by MPs Riyadh Al-Adsani and Shuaib Al- Muwaizri focused on one issue – financial, technical, construction and administrative irregularities and lack of tackling such violations due to negligence and poor follow-up.

Furthermore, the Parliament rejected requests of the Public Prosecution to lift the immunity of MPs Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Mubarak Al-Hajraf, Mubarak Al-Harees and Mohamed AlHadiya.

The prosecution requested lifting immunity of Al-Tabtabaei in case number (83/2013) inventory Capital (16/2013) misdemeanor of CID with voting results as follows: 28 approvals and 28 disapprovals.

The prosecution requested lifting the immunity of Al-Hajraf in case number (675/2016) inventory Jahra (93/2016 crimes-Jahra) with voting results as follows: 19 approvals and 37 disapprovals.

The prosecution requested lifting the immunity of Al-Harees in case number (551/2016) inventory Hawally (607/2016 crimes of CID) with voting results as follows: 18 approvals and 39 disapprovals.