Ghanem laments 'calculated, organized attempts' to damage Kuwait's reputation

KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait, like many vigilant countries, must meet challenges and conflicts with patience and wisdom, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem said yesterday. Addressing the fourth ordinary session of the National Assembly's 15th legislative term, the Kuwaiti top lawmaker indicated that current conflicts in the region seemed to reach crescendo in terms of complexity and worrying developments; however, countries with clear vision and maturity are able to sail through the sea of turmoil by cooperation between leadership and people. Speaker Ghanem took the opportunity to congratulate the people of Kuwait on the safe return of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah from medical checkups abroad, affirming that Sheikh Sabah -- through his wisdom and determination -- was the ultimate guide during troublesome times.

Calculated attempts
Ghanem continued his address by saying that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's statement, in regards to regional conflicts, heavily focused on learning from the mistakes of others to traverse safely through crises. In recent years, there were calculated and organized attempts to exaggerate issues and picture Kuwait as the hub of "international corruption," stated Ghanem who pointed fingers at planned efforts through various media platforms to depict the country in an awful fashion. Speaker Ghanem said that such slander was bound to fail, especially with Kuwaitis; government and people, banding together to counter such allegations and better the country on all levels. True Kuwaitis refuse to lay the blame on the government or the National Assembly, he indicated, adding that the legislative and executive branches should also deny efforts to ignite tensions between ministers and MPs. Ghanem affirmed that the Government and National Assembly are equally responsible for implementing the Constitution to achieve the welfare of the people and reach realistic goals for the country.

On the National Assembly's responsibilities during its fourth year, Ghanem said that there were many important issues to address, including the protection of Kuwaiti identity from nationality counterfeiters, the resolution of the bedoons' (stateless people) plight, and other vital matters. The National Assembly would like to ensure the government and people of several draft legislations and laws addressing the concerns of the people, said Ghanem who thanked His Highness the Amir for renewing confidence in parliament. While the National Assembly is doing what it can to resolve issues of importance, the executive authority has an equal share in progressing the country, said the Speaker who called on the Cabinet to provide clear and transparent plans to develop Kuwaiti institutes and ministries for the sake of serving the public.

As he reminded the government of its responsibilities, the parliament's speaker also commended the recent achievements by the government, which propelled Kuwait in recent international reports, especially the one issued by the World Bank, which put Kuwait in the top 10 improvers, amongst 190 economies, in Doing Business 2020. This achievement and others should push the government of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah forward to add more milestones for Kuwait and its people.

Amir's speech
In the meantime, Ghanem expressed his hope that everyone bears in mind the noble meanings mentioned in His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's speech at the opening of the fourth ordinary session of the Assembly's 15th legislative term. "Everybody was so happy by His Highness the Amir's presence, and benefited from the deep meanings of his speech," Ghanem told reporters after conclusion of the regular session. The session discussed the session's agenda, he said, adding it postponed the grilling of two ministers for the next session upon their request. It also approved nomination of Faisal Al-Shaya as Chair of the Audit Bureau during a closed-door session, the top lawmaker said, noting Shaya received a great majority of voting.
Ghanem noted that he would complete special procedures for the State Audit Bureau chief nomination, adding the Cabinet would be informed afterwards to prepare for issuing an official decree of Shaya 's appointment. Ghanem expressed his utmost wishes of good luck to Shaya, noting the former lawmaker has a reputed expertise in such a field. He also thanked the Bureau's acting Chief Adel Al-Sarawie for all his efforts during the past period. He also said the parliament has appointed all its permanent committees, with the exception of legislative and legal affairs, members of which were elected, adding formation of temporary committees would be completed in next session. - KUNA