Head of govt must ‘distance’ himself from dangerous business people: MP

Mustaqbal Bloc doesn’t support opposition: Al Sane

KUWAIT CITY, April 13: The head of the government must distance himself from business persons engaged in political blackmail, reports Al-Shaheed Weekly quoting Rapporteur of the parliamentary Legislative Committee MP Yaqoob AlSane.

Urging the government leader to ignore the statements of such business persons, Al-Sane stressed the need for the leader to stand with the people and their representatives. He admitted there are many shortcomings in the health, education, environment and housing files, indicating that more time is needed to address these issues which have been left pending for years.

Al-Sane regards the members of Muslim Brotherhood in Kuwait be as falcons and doves, stating that those in the second line of this group are in ‘Islah’ social organization and they harbor no evil, whereas the first want to topple the government or dominate the country.

According to the lawmaker, the Mustaqbal Bloc does not represent or support the opposition as it was established to serve the interests of the nation and its people. He asserted the group has succeeded in specifying a period for stopping interpellations and addressed the loans interest issue. He stressed the need to reject the idea of canceling loan interest payments to become a burden for the State.

The Financial Affairs Committee in the Parliament will discuss on Monday the proposed early retirement for national workers, reports Al-Rai daily quoting committee member MP Ahmad Lari.

Lari disclosed the proposal allows male employees to retire after 20 years in service and 15 years for women. He said there is a stipulation on the establishment of a fund for early retirees with certain conditions, such as requiring the employees to pay certain fees to join the fund.

On the housing loan, Lari confirmed the issue will be discussed with the Public Authority for Housing Welfare, particularly the recommendation to grant Kuwaiti women housing loan equal to the amount given to men.

Meanwhile, MP Nawaf Al-Feza welcomes the idea of the government to modify the Needy Fund, asserting it is a step in the right direction as it proves the authority’s commitment to protect the welfare of the people.

Al-Feza disclosed the Mustaqbal Bloc has submitted its suggestions on the amendment that might not be satisfactory for the government, but the group is keen on reducing, if not to eliminate, the burdens of the citizens. He affirmed the group has no intention to abandon their call on the return of interests taken illegally, specifically those exceeding four percent of the loan amount.