‘We keep fingers crossed for good govt although start doubtful’
“The political parties and blocs, and even individuals who have recently been elected by the people have the right to gather in order to develop visions for the next stage. Therefore, we initially supported the meeting that took place in brother Hamad al-Matar’s diwaniya. Our problem is in the details in which Satan usually resides,” columnist Qais Al-Osta wrote for Al-Jarida daily.
“The invitations were not sent to the two sisters, Alia Al-Khaled and Dr. Jenan Boushehri, under the pretext of preserving customs and traditions, as if the meeting was being held in a disco or wedding hall.
“No, gentlemen, the two sisters were elected by the people and their respect is a duty, and if you do not sit with them today, what will you do tomorrow in the general sessions of the National Assembly or its committees?
“The invitations also did not include other deputies, claiming that they do not agree ideologically with the attendees and because they voted in previous stages on issues that the majority does not approve of.
“These people, whether you like it or not, are elected by the people and sitting with them is a duty even if it is out of respect for the thousands of male and female citizens who contributed to bringing them to the dome of Abdullah Al-Salem.
“The criteria also need clarification, because among the attendees I saw elected representatives who voted for Al-Matar when they were ministers, and I saw others with many administrative suspicions hovering around, and I saw MPs who were known to contribute to breaking the law, and it is certain that none of them will raise the banner of Dr. Ahmad Al-Khateeb after his death, what criteria are you talking about?
“The majority must realize that if they want to continue, it is required to respect our minds and realize that we have been working in politics since some of them were in the elementary stage, and that we are able to create a public opinion against them that will lead to losing their alleged majority.
“In short, respect us and we respect you, and the saying “they make their idols with their own hands” does not apply to us. You must raise important topics such as developing education, fighting forged certificates, saving small business owners from bankruptcy, developing the economy, diversifying sources of income and many other things, although I doubt that you can do that because some of you can only talk about Ramadan series and the Padel games and other trivial issues.
“For me, I bet that a capable and aware government will come to us although the beginning and the method of formation do not bode well, but there is still time to correct the defect in the formation, so will His Highness the President do it? Let’s wait and watch.
“Did the message get through? I hope so.”
“It is not new for some influential people to use parliament to make gains. Since the constitution was approved 60 years ago, this situation has been repeated, but it is not at the same pace. At times the conflict peaks through which governments fall and opponents are removed, and other times the conflict is quiet and not visible to the naked eye,” columnist Nasser Al Abdali wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
“The most famous incident in which an influential person used his tools in Parliament to embarrass the government was in 1964, when he incited colleagues to prevent the government from taking the constitutional oath in Parliament, forcing Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem, may God have mercy on him, at the time to ask the Prime Minister to restructure his government, fearing for the nascent parliamentary experience.
“This incident was the cause of falsifying the results of the 1967 elections with the aim of bringing down the tools of that influential person. Those in charge of this step succeeded in part in removing some of those, but they were not able to get rid of that reality permanently except by dissolving the National Assembly and suspending some articles of the constitution.
“History is currently repeating itself (after nearly 60 years) in the parliament’s rejection of the new government formation, and its keenness not to take the constitutional oath.
“The difference between the two incidents is that the first was run by an influential person, while the second was run by a group of influential people.
“There is no choice, as it seems to me, but to return to the same old experience and benefit from its details, even if this leads to the dissolution of the National Assembly and the suspension of some articles of the constitution.
“The stability of the country is much more important than the praise of an experience that over time has turned into a burden on the people in the first place because of its frequent use as a tool of conflict.
“The people in the majority are no longer beneficiaries of the democratic experience. Rather, there are a few influential people who want to maintain this experiment in its current form because it achieves their aspirations, but unfortunately, on the other hand, it stands as a stumbling block in the way of the development of the country and its advancement and the benefit of most of its people from this development to be reflected in solving urgent problems such as housing, health and education.”
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“Apart from the executive and legislative authorities, we should pay attention to this question: What does the citizen want?” columnist Nermin Al-Houtti wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“Education and scientific research: The citizen wants many of these pillars, which are essential in building society, and the nucleus of the citizen and citizenship – new schools, advanced universities, classrooms and halls conducive for human use, and support for researchers by those responsible for scientific research. This is what the citizen wants from the homeland.
“Safety and security: We are tired of the phrases ‘drugs is the reason’ and ‘mentally ill’! Fear is in our hearts due to many accidents and quarrels! We are tired of the dream of Kuwaitization, which we have not yet seen in reality! We are fed up of the ‘Bedouns’ issue! Will the country listen to the citizen’s call?
“Development: How long will our streets remain zigzag and dilapidated? Bridges were built, but their floor and infrastructure do not carry any aesthetic image in development — neither aesthetic nor constructive! Traffic jams on narrow streets that do not have exits or outlets to facilitate walking! The layout does not have any image of modern construction! What is the fault of the citizen, oh homeland?
“Health: Yes, there are buildings and centers at the highest level, but where is the medical staff? Where are the advanced devices for the advanced buildings in urbanization? Where are the nurses? Health is not a building! Health means medical staff, modern equipment and nursing staff. Health is a crown on the head of the citizen, oh homeland.”