Respect Democracy, Constitution: Premier

His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah stressed the importance of respecting democracy and the constitution and warned against violating any of the two under any circumstances. During his meeting with editors-in-chief of local newspapers and with the Director General and Chairman of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister also cautioned against laxness of security in the country and atrophying democracy to serve hidden agendas.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- Salem Al-Homoud Al-Sabah, and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Health Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al- Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. At the start of the meeting, His Highness the Prime Minister expressed his pleasure to meet editors-in-chief of Kuwaiti dailies and KUNA Chairman Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij. He added the meeting is a good chance to discuss with Kuwaiti media people the latest developments in Kuwait and to brief them about the outcome of the recent visit to India.

His Highness Sheikh Jaber stated that Kuwait relishes democracy and freedom and Kuwaitis have to protect them. He stressed the need to set certain rules to regulate freedom to avoid chaos and causing harm to others, thus forcing them to take legal actions.

HH the Premier cautioned against the decline of democracy and a breakdown in security situation in Kuwait because of the practices of those who seek to make political gains. “I had several options, but I chose to retain democracy and the constitution as much as I can, although the government has backers, who are convinced with its stance, in the parliament in dealing with the grilling motion,” he said. He reiterated his respect of the constitution and demanded the National Assembly members to abide by the constitution which brought them into the parliament.

Powers
HH the Premier warned against the misuse of freedoms to encroach upon the powers of others or to force them to take hasty decisions. Replying to a question about the grilling motion filed against him by MP Riyadh Al-Adsani, HH Sheikh Jaber said “I respect the grilling motions and different points of view, but anything with possible inconsistencies with the constitution is unacceptable”.

He described the recent National Assembly’s vote to scrap several parts of the grilling motion against him as a positive and correct move, calling for correction of previous practices to avoid distortion of democracy. HH Sheikh Jaber underscored the importance of adhering to the Constitutional Court’s rulings which identified the powers of the prime minister and urged the legislative and executive powers to raise people awareness about these rulings.

HH the Premier vowed to ascend the grilling podium if there is no inconsistencies with constitutional rules. “I have taken the oath to protect the constitution so it is incumbent upon me to ascend podium and reveal the truth to the people of Kuwait in line with the spirit of democracy and laws,” he noted with regards to some politicians’ calls for a cabinet reshuffle, HH Sheikh Jaber said “I do not mind reshuffling the cabinet if the national interests necessitate.”

He added that if there would be a cabinet reshuffle it will be made in a way to ensure choosing competent ministers who are able to shoulder responsibility and meet the aspirations of the Kuwaiti people. Asked if he believes that his government is targeted from some figures in the parliament, HH the Premier replied that the government is not the target, but “the real democracy in Kuwait”.

Cooperate
He went on to say that the government seeks to cooperate with a strong parliament which is capable of monitoring its implementation of duties. HH the Premier urged Kuwaitis to make use of the Third Africa Arab Summit, due here next week, to show the world their democratic life and their country’s humanitarian contribution. He announced that Tuesday will be a vacation for civil servants to ensure smoothness of traffic during the first day of the summit.

Regarding the government efforts to implement the state development plan and address housing problems, HH Sheikh Jaber said: “We have made great strides in tackling development and housing issues and we are continuing efforts in this regard”.

HH the Premier demand ministers to shoulder their responsibilities and to do their best to meet people aspirations. He expressed willingness to cooperate and coordinate with the parliament to pass new legislations, if there is a need, to facilitate efforts to resolve the housing problems and achieve sustainable development.

He noted that the government seeks to eradicate bureaucracy and cut paperwork time to help accelerate development process and to boost private sector contribution to national economy. He shed lights on the newly-minted anti-graft body, stressing that the government is serious in facing corruption and punishing corrupt people.

“We will tackle corruption everywhere because it is the first enemy of the state financial and administrative system,” he said HH the Premier pointed out that the government has an ambitious plan to support sports in Kuwait. He stated that the government has formed to committees to study the reasons behind the delay in the opening of Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium and to reveal construction problems in it

Source: KUNA