‘PM needs to enjoy normal life ... after end of his official working hours’
“HERE are some of the constitutional texts for the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers to use as a guide in their day to day work. “The Council of Ministers dominates the interests of the state, draws the general policy of the government, monitors its implementation, and supervises the workflow in government departments, Article (123),” columnist Professor Faisal Al-Sharifi wrote for Al-Jarida daily.
“The Prime Minister chairs the sessions and supervises the coordination of work between the various ministries, Article (128).
“The council’s deliberations are confidential, and its decisions are issued in the presence of the majority of its members, with the approval of the majority of those present.
“When the votes are equal, the vote of the prime minister becomes vital on the issue and will prevail. The minority adheres to the opinion of the majority unless it resigns. The council’s decisions are submitted to the Amir for ratification in the cases that require the issuance of a decree in their regard, Article (128).
“In addition to the above, there are some other competencies represented in the selection of ministers and their representation of some of the executive and legislative competencies of His Highness the Amir, in addition to what is stipulated in the Kuwaiti constitution and the bylaws of the National Assembly, including attending sessions and meetings of committees affiliated with the Assembly, voting on laws and legislation, answering inquiries of MPs and responding to parliamentary questions and face interrogations.
“Looking at the prime minister’s overall functions, I find that his mission does not differ from most of the tasks of heads of government in the world except in the part of his appointment, which is entirely up to His Highness the Amir, which relieves him of political pressure compared to the council, which is controlled by parties, in addition to the fact that the political confrontation within it is subject to, is certainly an easier task than confronting organized parties, so it is expected that his performance and productivity will be higher if compared to the heads of elected governments.
“Today, after naming the Prime Minister, and after this popular acceptance on social networking sites of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf, demands are increasing for reforms at all levels, which have been neglected for years due to the political conflict, foremost of which are education, the economy, employment, housing, and service infrastructure projects.
“Add to this the demographics, the bedoun issue, the mechanization and simplification of the administrative system, the transformation of the work environment in the private sector into an attractive investment sector, and the encouragement of small and medium enterprises.
“The task may seem great, but it is not impossible, starting with a good selection of ministers and senior officials and conducting a comprehensive resurgence of all state institutions and their boards of directors.
“I hope to see in the coming days -- the offices of state officials void of visitors and MPs and the concept of wasta disappearing; completing transactions electronically through the ministries’ websites and on specific dates; addressing inflation and fair wages and salaries for all; stopping speculation in the residential sector and not allowing it to be converted into an investment property; diversity in housing projects and providing them to citizens; addressing the demographics and controlling the visa trade.
“This is in addition to speeding up the operation of Abdullah Al-Salem University and establishing an applied university; developing a plan to address education outcomes and raise its quality; a radical solution to the bedoun issue, humanely and legally; activating Kuwait’s development vision and diversifying sources of income; treating environmental pollutants and finally... I hope to see the Prime Minister enjoy his normal life like the rest of the citizens, after the end of his official working hours.”
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“Do the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council have a plan to protect themselves from regional dangers in the event of any change in the international contracts guaranteeing security in accordance with the emerging interests?,” columnist Muzaffar Abdullah wrote for Al-Jarida daily.
“On the occasion of the ‘introducing’ the new heads of diplomatic and consular missions, and the media highlighting their reception ceremonies and gaining the confidence of the political leadership to be of assistance to the state abroad, it is worth mentioning the following:
“On such occasions, new appointees are always asked to emphasize the need to defend the country’s positions and interests abroad, and to be a model for successful and responsible diplomats in a positive and beneficial way for the country.
“Many of the external issues facing any country are related to the local situation, that is, the way the government manages internal files and problems. Those files are in accordance with the international standards approved by the United Nations and its various organizations.
“And to be more clear, the local administration must help our foreign missions with urgent files, including combating human trafficking, abolishing the sponsorship system, the bedoun file, establishing a transparent business and investment environment, combating administrative corruption, reducing the problems of expatriate workers and other issues that forcefully reflect on the state’s external performance by virtue of its being a member of the United Nations and many of its agencies.
“Supporting and strengthening foreign policy is the result of the successes and progress of domestic policy.”
“The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait was not ordinary. It was a national lesson – an epic full of lessons that should be taught daily to future generations. The world plays a significant role and our relationship with it is one of the most important things we have,” columnist Dr Ghader Aseeri wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
“The United Nations Security Council recognized the need to end the occupation of Kuwait, while the latter’s sovereignty and integrity must be restored, through Resolution Number 661 that was submitted by the United States of America.
“It was followed by Resolution Number 662, which was issued by the United Nations Security Council. In this resolution, the United Nations confirmed its categorical rejection of Iraq’s decision to annex Kuwait, considering it null and void. The resolution called on all countries, international organizations and specialized agencies not to recognize such annexation.
“In light of the international movements and after 32 years, we have yet to see the names of martyrs officially mentioned in the institutions of the State of Kuwait. Instead, we have seen attempts to erase them from memory. In developed countries that are going through major wars, they are the first to have museums and ancient monuments, which the next generation can live through, rather than being content with just hearing their stories.
“The embodiment is important for history in the human sciences. It is important to fulfill demands to put the names and murals of martyrs on the streets and vital institutions, instead of names that are not beneficial for the citizen in any way. The honoring is done through the simplest means.
“The martyr did not think of anything in return when he presented his life with courage. Rather, the State must realized that it is duty bound to immortalize the names of martyrs. We are aspiring for a national edifice worthy of the martyrs like Kuwait Towers, which we are proud of. It narrates in a decent and artistic way what Kuwait experienced in that historical period – Aug 2, 1990.”
“32 years have passed since the eternal epic of redemption, in which Kuwaiti men and women wrote pages and documents that will remain a lesson for generations, an immortal imprint in their records and a memory of a struggle with soul and blood,” columnist Tariq Edris wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“It remains a story about the immortality of the epic of redemption, and sacrifice for a free and proud Kuwait. This is in addition to protecting its independence, legitimacy and firm Constitution in the conscience of all the children of Kuwait, especially the righteous and valiant martyrs – men and women – whom the Almighty God accepted in his mercy and pleasure!
“Today is the date that immortalizes them as a title for redemption and martyrdom. The second of August is called Martyr’s Day in order to assure the whole world that the people of Kuwait met the barbaric aggression with steadfastness, defense and despair for the sake of a free, proud and independent Kuwait, and that they neither surrendered nor knelt!
“The second of August remains a day for the martyrs of Kuwait to be commemorated by the present and future generations. Every year, these proud and brave people will be remembered as a title of dignity!
“Salute of appreciation for the Martyrs Office and all the brothers working and supporting the activities and programs of this wonderful memorial on the forehead of Kuwait and the families of the righteous martyrs – civilians and soldiers. We hope that all the remains of prisoners and the missing will return to embrace them on the pure land of Kuwait!”