Ministers survive no-confidence vote
KUWAIT CITY, Sept 10: Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh, as well as Education and Higher Education Minister Dr Saud Al-Harbi, survived the no-confidence vote on Thursday.
A total of 32 MPs voted in favor of Al-Saleh while 16 voted against him.
In addition, 29 MPs voted in favor of Al-Harbi, while 15 voted against him and three abstained.
During the debate on the noconfidence motion against AlSaleh, MP Adel Al-Damkhi highlighted the financial benefits that the minister obtained in the form of tenders valued at $250 million granted to companies which are based in other countries and belong to his family. He pointed out this information is included in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He asked: If Al-Saleh is not a minister, would he obtain such tenders? He said Al-Saleh supports the so-called ‘deep State’, achieves the latter’s objectives, and protects those involved in spying and money laundering issues.
He also quoted Minister of State for National Assembly and Services Affairs Mubarak Al-Harees as saying that the duration of the leaked recordings is four hours, while that of the recordings available at the Secretariat General of the Assembly is two hours only.
Commenting on the leaked recordings, MP Khalid Al-Shatti revealed that he checked the recordings to determine if the duration is four hours or just two hours. He clarified that the contents are about two hours, indicating the confusion lies in some footages recorded by more than one camera. If one footage is 30 minutes long but recorded by two cameras, it is calculated as one hour although the contents of both recordings are the same, he said.
Al-Shatti believes the ‘deep State’ is targeting the interior minister, because he thwarted the plans of its members when he opened the corruption files and referred those involved to the Public Prosecution regardless of their power. He said the ‘deep State’ has been urging its minions to attack Al-Saleh because of the minister’s pro-reform approach and for the corrupt to realize their goals.
Meanwhile, Al Saleh thanked the MPs who supported him; while affirming that he understands those who did not support him. He stressed that the lawmakers’ reaffirmation of confidence in him neither means he is out of the questioning circle nor did he obtain a carte blanche, indicating this reaffirmation makes him feel he needs to be more responsible.
Al-Saleh pledged his commitment to the application of the rule of law and ensuring the security and privacy of nationals after gaining the confidence of the Parliament on Thursday.
Moreover, Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim congratulated the two ministers for winning the confidence of the lawmakers.
He also announced that the agenda of the session slated for next Tuesday includes the grilling motion against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and several draft laws.
He added that he will continue the consultations with HH the Prime Minister on specifying the date for ending the current parliamentary term.
His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Thursday congratulated Al-Saleh for gaining the confidence of the Parliament in the wake of a grilling he faced last week.
The Crown Prince, in a cable, commended the minister for his responses, praising the democratic practice, which he said, reflects the civilized nature of Kuwait.
The Crown Prince also congratulated Al-Harbi for winning the Parliament’s confidence Thursday in the wake of two grillings he faced on Sept 1.
The Crown Prince, in a cable to Al-Harbi, commended the minister for his answers and the democratic practices which reflected the civilized nature of Kuwait.