Fate of nations are never left to chance

THE new government has been announced and its members have taken the oath. Despite its formation and since the previous one resigned, many Kuwaitis had wished that there would be a change not only in some ministers, but in the premiership itself. However, that did not happen.

Now that we have a new government, it is hoped that the events of the past year and a half will serve as a lesson to His Highness the Prime Minister to act differently from how things were in the three governments that he formed, all of which ended in setbacks that stifled Kuwait a lot on all levels.

Since the last six decades, the people of Kuwait have been concerned about their future, and ensuring the continuity of the state’s development, which brings benefits, prosperity, and a decent living.

Therefore, their demand, even at the height of the rentier prosperity, was to diversify the sources of income, and not be completely dependent on oil. However, the dependence on oil increased and also rentierism through populist laws imposed by MPs on successive governments.

Hopes were hence placed on the governments of Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled to work on laying a solid foundation for a productive economy, but these hopes have not been fuifilled. Today this file is considered to be more vital than ever before.

In this regard, it can be said that all the justifications offered by the previous Cabinet and its prime minister regarding the National Assembly’s failure to cooperate with him fell after the appointment of four MPs as ministers. This has closed those controversial files, most important of which was the amnesty file that had paralyzed the country for nearly two years.

This has also paved the way for cooperation between the two authorities. Undoubtedly, the first test would be the approval of the Public Debt Law, which has been stuck in the parliament for a year and a half, as well as the mortgage.

It is not a secret that the problems Kuwait suffers from, which we have talked about for a long time either in this newspaper or other newspapers, start with the housing issue. This issue needs a radical solution, taking into account the population development on one hand, and on the other hand, the need to change the specifications that have not been modified for 60 years.

Another problem is the abolition of the laws that led to the closing of the country to the world, as if it were a huge quarantine center and its inhabitants are from another planet, while the countries around us are becoming more open and prosperous, thanks to the informed decisions made by their leaders.

The neighboring and friendly countries, especially the Gulf states, have rid themselves of many burdens that were placed on them during the construction phase. This includes the health field, which was subject to privatization and turned some countries into a touristic destination for the world, and education, which needs to be dismantled and rebuilt again in our country with an effective contribution from the private sector, after its proven success in managing prestigious educational institutions.

Also, the privatization of the rest of the sectors that burden the state with absurd spending such as subsidizing goods and supplies, and revitalizing industry that has been damaged due to ineffective laws, is necessary.

As for the social aspect, besides the need for a radical reconsideration of the law on the prevention of coeducation, it is necessary to work on resolving the issue of expatriates who have reached the age of 60 years. This is not only a humanitarian issue, but is also a vital economic and social issue for Kuwait, as they and their families are about 200,000 in number.

The members of this category have spent all their income in this country, and they represent an added value to society and both the private and public sectors because of their experience and close knowledge of the country, its laws and customs.

Therefore, today’s bet is on the government’s work program which shouldn’t be a copy-paste from the programs of previous governments.

Time is like a sword, and it does not wait for anyone. The fates of countries should not be left to chance.