MPs voice rejection to govt VAT approval

A number of MPs rejected the government’s decision to impose value added tax (VAT), and said they will not vote for it in the National Assembly, because VAT will increase prices for both citizens and expats. MP Riyadh Al-Adasani said he is against taxes including VAT. He said this proposal was included in the government’s work program and the prime minister was grilled over several policies including the issue of high prices.

MP Jamaan Al-Harbash said it is not possible to accept VAT due to inflation and the government’s inability to control prices. He said the Cabinet’s approval of the GCC VAT treaty does not mean it will be effective without parliament ratification. MP Abdelkareem Al-Kandari demanded improvement in services before thinking about imposing VAT, adding “we will vote against the proposal”.

Network arrested

A Moroccan newspaper said members of a prostitution network that was busted includes Kuwaiti businessmen and lawyers. Al-Masaa newspaper said the arrestees include a 36-year-old judicial official and a lawyer who is divorced with two children, in addition to a businessman in the field of well-digging. The four Kuwaitis confessed to arriving at Al-Manarah airport from Barcelona. The network of 13 persons was arrested after vice police raided a villa, but the public prosecution decided to free the Gulf suspects.