Gov’t refutes fuel price hike rumors

KUWAIT CITY, April 15: Amer Al-Ajmi, Head of the Local Affairs Sector and government spokesperson, refuted claims made by a representative on Monday regarding an impending fuel price hike.

He clarified to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the government has not yet finalized a decision on increasing fuel prices. Al-Ajmi emphasized that the matter is still under discussion and examination within the Ministerial Committee for Economic Affairs, with no decision made thus far.

Earlier, MP-elect Shuaib Al- Muwaizri has appealed to the government to suspend the decision to increase fuel prices by 25 percent starting June 1, 2024.

Al-Muwaizri pointed out that the Economic Affairs Committee in the Cabinet recommended this increase on March 27 and the latter approved it on April 1. He said this decision means that the government is not concerned about improving the citizens’ standard of living, which is the top priority of most MPs-elect including himself.

He is hoping the new government has a different attitude; that is, taking care of the citizens, especially those with low and limited income.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court recently received the first petition to nullify the 2024 National Assembly Election.

First Constituency candidate Attorney Nasser Al-Masrallah, who filed the petition, ranked 23rd in the recently concluded election with 443 votes.

According to reliable resources, a number of such petitions are expected to be filed soon; particularly by candidates who landed on the 11th spot in their respective constituencies.

Earlier, MP-elect Saud Al-Asfour revealed that the coordinative meeting held Sunday at the Assembly building tackled the priorities for the upcoming parliamentary round. He said they discussed the agenda of the 2023 Assembly and the suggestions of the MPs-elect.

He added the priorities include the bills on improving the citizens’ standard of living; as well as amending laws on elections, real estate financing, disabled affairs, establishment of a Kuwaiti company for petrochemical industries, and expansion of the authority of courts to rule on citizenship cases.

He also unveiled the plan to hold more meetings after the formation of the new government in oder to know the latter’s vision and suggestions regarding the legislative agenda, in addition to coordination on the formation of parliamentary committees.