Steady consultations on for Cabinet

Fresh start

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 25: Extended consultations began Sunday, Nov 24 with the aim of choosing the ministers of the new government based on an approach different from the quota system or the appointment of ministers who have lost the trust of citizens, reports AlQabas daily quoting informed sources.

They revealed that the new Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled has been conducting the consultations slowly but steadily, indicating that Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled refuses to succumb to pressures that previous governments had faced.

The sources said they are expecting the consultations to continue until December in order to allow the maximum number of politicians to realize what the new government needs, which in other words means the formation of the new government will take time, and the government will not attend the parliamentary session on Tuesday.

They explained that His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled is implementing his plan with the aim of bringing in some fresh air. He does not want his plan to face any obstacles such as refusal of some figures to accept the task. He also refuses to resort to easy way of forming the government in order to avoid stereotypical copies of the previous governments.

Meanwhile, there are two parties involved in argument about the constitutional stance concerning the need for the government to attend the upcoming parliamentary session.

Insists

Dr Mohammad Al-Moqate’e insists that the government’s presence is not necessary, and in case of any urgent need, the sole presence of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah AlKhaled is sufficient.

On the other hand, the constitutional expert Dr Mohammad Al-Feli says, according to article 116 of the Kuwait Constitution, the government should attend the parliamentary session; however, if it fails to do so, there is no penalty specified.

The parliamentary Education and Guidance Affairs Committee recently deliberated on the Minors Protection Bill, which the committee considers to be linked with the Publications and Media Law — a point discussed with representatives of Kuwait Journalists Association and the Literary Association while emphasizing the importance of State authorities and civil associations in protecting young minds.

Committee Rapporteur MP Khaleel Abul pointed out the Ministry of Information shoulders a bigger responsibility than other institutions as it has control over media content being consumed by minors, especially the Kuwaiti theatre as it is known for getting out of script.

Abul disclosed that items in the National Assembly’s agenda include several amendments to the Publications and Media Law, but the committee might withdraw these amendments and replace them with more comprehensive bills in a bid to provide more protection for minors.

In another development, MP Saleh Ashour called for exoneration of those serving time in prison or sentenced to jail for sharing their political views on Twitter and other social media platforms.

Speaking to reporters, the MP urged National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah AlKhaled Al-Sabah and concerned officials at the Amiri Diwan to serve as voices of the affected families to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah, hoping this will pave way for exoneration of the abovementioned individuals.

He said some of these individuals are in prison while others are outside the country, indicating they were prosecuted for expressing their political views. “They did not break into the legislative building nor touched on the jurisdiction of HH the Amir, so they deserve amnesty,” he added.