Media chiefs set for ‘sit-down’ with PM
Bid for transparency
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 27: In a bid to establish a transparent foundation, the Ministry of Information extended an invitation to editors-in-chief of media outlets and other media representatives to an open meeting with HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah on Dec 1, 2019.
This is considered an unprecedented event, especially since the premier was appointed recently and the Cabinet has yet to be formed. Prominent media personalities commended such a directive, indicating it will pave way for governmental openness and promote open dialogue with the media while opening doors to a new era of genuine transparency.
Furthermore, former Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al-Sadoun affirmed that voices denying severe corruption in the government have been silent since the resignation of former Public Works minister Jenaan Boushehri.
The MP pointed out that even the reason behind Boushehri’s resignation was questionable as she implied some of his colleagues are interfering and hindering governmental progress. He said this does not justify the former minister’s point of view; it will instead subject her to criticism because she failed to call on the Cabinet to take action against the Parliament for violating the last paragraph of Article 115 of the Constitution, which prohibits a lawmaker from interfering in the work of the judiciary and executive authorities. The former prime minister would have been forced to address the alleged interference if only Boushehri urged the Cabinet to take action.
In another development, MP Muhammad Al-Dallaal submitted queries to interim Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Anas Khaled Al-Saleh concerning the delay in registering newly appointed employees at the Fatwa and
appointed employees at the Fatwa and Legislative Department, as this resulted in delayed payment of their salaries although they already started working.
Al-Dallal asked Al-Saleh about the reason behind the delayed salaries, as well as the procedures taken to solve this problem and prevent its recurrence.
Meanwhile, MP Osama Al-Shaheen forwarded queries to interim Minister of Education and Higher Education Hamid Mohammad Al-Azmi on the establishment of schools in Mubarak Al-Abdullah City. He disclosed Al-Azmi previously informed him that the ministry’s five-year development plan (fiscals 2015/2016 to 2019/2020) includes the establishment of schools for different educational stages. He inquired about the commitment of the ministry in meeting the deadline for establishing schools. He also requested for copies of related decisions and procedures.