MP-elect Bushehri slams Internet censorship pact
Iraq road deal quizzed
KUWAIT CITY, April 23: A number of MPs-elect have commented on the Road Development Project Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Iraq, Turkiye, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a bid to transform Iraq into a transit hub connecting Asia and Europe through Al-Faw Port that is close to Abdullah Port.
MP-elect Bader Nashmi Al-Anzi said the neighboring countries are working hard to sign economic agreements in the interest of their citizens and national security, while the Kuwaiti government is engaged in acts that could lead to political instability. He inquired about the position of the government on the abovementioned MoU, positive impact of the project on the economy and security of Kuwait, and how it will affect Abdullah Mubarak Port. He stated that the response of the government will reveal the level of its commitment to comply with Article 123 of the Constitution. He vowed to closely follow up the issue.
Article 123 states: “The Cabinet shall exercise control and supervision over the interests of the State. It shall lay down the public policy of the Government, shall follow its execution and shall control the operations in Government departments.”
MP-elect Muhannad Al-Sayer thinks the weakness of decisionmakers here led to the success of the other party in accomplishing every project that Kuwait has been dreaming of. He warned that the project will negatively affect Abdullah Mubarak Port and waste the huge money spent on it. He added that in the past, he repeatedly called on the government to expedite the operation of the port; but it seems the latter is not concerned about protecting public funds.
He disclosed that he will be part of the Public Funds Protection Committee in the 18th parliamentary term and he will investigate the issue in order to question the government about its failure to protect public funds. He wondered who could benefit from hindering the operation of the port.
MP-elect Abdullal Al-Mudhaf stated that political instability, vacant leadership positions and negligence led to more wasted opportunities. He emphasized the need for the next government to address issues and face challenges; otherwise, it will eventually leave as a failure.
MP-elect Mohammad Al-Raqeeb stressed the need to form a fact-finding committee to investigate the reasons behind the suspension of Abdullah Mubarak Port operations and to punish those who will be proven to have wasted public funds. He said the failure of four successive prime ministers to operate the port only proves that the government is not capable of managing development projects.
MP-elect Abdulkareem Al-Kandari said the State lacks decision-makers, as most of the leadership positions are occupied by interim officials. He pointed out that yesterday, it was the Boursa Kuwait issue, and today, the port issue. “We do not know what is next,” he asserted.
In another development, MP-elect Jenan Bushehri has unveiled her plan to grill the concerned minister about the agreement that the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) signed to censor/monitor individuals through the Internet.
She intends to file the grilling motion two weeks after the oath taking in order to consider the verdicts of the Constitutional Court regarding the political liability of the concerned minister.
She said CITRA took advantage of the absence of the legislature to sign the agreement despite the constitutional violations therein and the fact that she has been warning the government about the relevant tender since Sept 4, 2023.
She clarified that she is strongly against fake social media accounts which are being used to offend individuals and attack Kuwait, but she is also against using this issue to justify the settlement of an unconstitutional tender.