‘Time to let wheel of progress move forward ... be a Kuwaiti’
“THE political landscape in the country remains fraught with uncertainty and apprehension. The dissolution of the last National Assembly in 2023, as outlined in decree No. 16 of 2024, was attributed to the breach of constitutional principles, particularly regarding respect for high office and the use of inflammatory language,” columnist Dr Mohammad
Makatei wrote for Al-Jarida daily. “Despite efforts to learn from past mistakes, certain elected members persist in flouting constitutional norms, even during their electoral campaigns and subsequent tenure in the National Assembly.
“These indi- viduals, though a minority, continue to engage in political machinations that threaten stability and sow confusion. Whether driven by misguided enthusiasm, reckless challenges, or electoral gain, they seek to evade accountability for their actions. However, their actions, whether intentional or influenced by external factors, will ultimately lead to confrontation and repercussions, both legally and politically.
“In response, it is imperative for the collective parliamentary body to take decisive action. This may include removing errant members and implementing disciplinary measures in accordance with internal regulations.
“Such measures could range from censure to the revocation of membership, particularly for violations of constitutional articles 91 and 108.
“Additionally, the government must assert its authority vis-à-vis the National Assembly to prevent undue interference in its affairs. The Prime Minister should resist attempts at political manipulation and utilize constitutional mechanisms to maintain balance and uphold proper parliamentary conduct.
“Repeated dissolution of the National Assembly only serves to undermine the state and its institutions, impeding progress and jeopardizing the welfare of the people. Instead, concerted efforts are needed to ensure stability and continuity in governance. The responsibility lies with all stakeholders to prioritize the nation’s interests and heed the warnings issued by leadership.
“Let us collectively reject destructive tendencies and work towards safeguarding the country’s identity and integrity. It is incumbent upon us to uphold the rule of law and preserve Kuwaiti nationality against all forms of tampering and fraud. The message is clear – it is time to act in the best interests of our nation and its future.”
Also:
“We have consistently emphasized the importance of an active and engaged government spokesperson. However, if the spokesperson remains silent, their presence becomes meaningless. In today’s era of rapid information dissemination, where news and rumors alike spread swiftly, it is crucial for the government to communicate openly and directly with the public,” columnist Asrar
Johar Hayat wrote for Al-Qabas daily. “Unfortunately, we are witnessing a concerning trend of government silence with each new ministerial formation. Many ministers come and go without making a single public statement or appearance in the media. This silence is particularly perplexing in an age of fastpaced and modern media.
“We do not advocate for ministers to appear in the media merely for the sake of visibility or self-promotion. Rather, their presence serves two vital purposes. Firstly, it enables them to respond to false news and rumors circulated by unreliable sources. Correcting misinformation should be the responsibility of the government, not left to other entities.
“Secondly, ministers should communicate decisions and projects directly to the public, especially controversial ones. By explaining the rationale behind these decisions, their benefits, and potential consequences, ministers can garner public support and prevent unnecessary backlash fueled by misinformation.
“It is essential for ministers to engage with the media and the public, not to shield themselves from scrutiny, but to fulfill their duty as public servants. We urge the ministers in this government to be vocal, transparent, and accessible, as their role is ultimately to serve the people.”
“Expatriate transfers… A press release stated that the remittances of expatriates amounted to about KD4 billion in 2023! Health and well-being for the heart of those who work to please Allah,” columnist Talal Al-Saeed wrote for Al-Seyassah daily.
“The government utterly refused to impose a fee on these transfers despite the growing demand for such step, while it imposes austerity on the citizen and the development projects that the latter needs like the ‘Derwazat Al-Abdul Razzaq’ tunnel, which was not completed until a bank donated the remaining amount. As for the billions transferred go abroad, there is no fee or tax.
“The government dispenses with the fee because it bullies only us, the citizens. The important thing is that our demand is not difficult. We demand that the government should monitor money transfers seriously. May you live long. How can an employee, whose salary is KD200 per month, transfer double this amount to his country monthly? No one asks him: Where did you get the money? The remittance amount multiplied, not doubled, yet no one asks.
“The other matter is that violators of the Residency Law -- all of them -- transfer money to their countries every month . They do not hold valid civil identification cards, yet no one stands in their way, checks on them or includes them in inspection campaigns. Most of them are transferred from unofficial offices, which carry out their work in the dark. It is as if the competent authorities are prohibited from approaching transfer offices, both official and unofficial. Is this reasonable?!
“The key solution to the Residency Law violators issue is modifying the demographic composition, along with arresting the cable thieves and those stealing cars, as well as eliminating the residents of transformers who live in cemeteries in their countries and are engaged in illegal work.
“The exchange offices must be regulated. It is necessary to tighten control over them, check the auditors, and impose a fee on the transfers according to an official receipt that is verified by the authorities, then the situation will be fixed. At the moment, everything is chaotic and the door to transfers is wide open. Thus, there is no good or bad tomorrow.”
“Shut up, you don’t exist. Shut up, shut up, shut up, don’t talk, don’t write, don’t address anyone. What do you want to say? We are aware of what is in your chest -- the chattiness and chatter that you want in order to stand out socially and to be different from us. We are the group, we are the origin and the basis, and you defend those who are intruding upon us ... Why?” columnist
Khaled Helal Al-Mutairi wrote for AlJarida daily.
“Don’t you fear for our identity and culture...We are the kings of the earth whether we are the minority or not... Don’t you feel a threat to this authentic identity? They changed it, they ruined it. Yesterday, we were making intercontinental missiles, thanks to our great geniuses. We were singing, ‘Hollow on Deck’... What happened today?
“Today we are hanging out in the markets and singing, ‘Al-Mulu’ and ‘You are Welcome.’ Shut up, shh… Have the topics of creation ended until you wrote and published Bedoun literature? Who are the Bedouns? Who are they? They have stuck themselves with us. Do not ask us how...We do not know. They are the fungal seed that sprouted for no reason. Perhaps, there is a reason, but we do not want to know it.
“There is no ‘Bedoun’. They are without identity. Those without identity do not deserve to be human. This is what our son Descartes said: ‘I am without permission, I don’t exist.’ Again, for the second and third time, be silent, meaning, shut up. How do you speak and demand equality with these intruders who dared attack our system and our political and social security?
“We know that they have the highest nationality, but this does not mean they are like us... We are the ‘others’. How we can be the ‘others’? We do not know, but we are certain that we are the ‘others’. Our identity is other than them. They do not know and they are produced by NASA. We have been ‘killing’ ourselves for so long, working hours at ‘Nsina’ agencies, which bring us abundant goodness... How do you demand equality with them?
“They ‘increased the generation’ and challenged our systems and security. Have you lost your mind? You want them to talk like us... Oh my goodness... This is how Zarathustra spoke to Youssef Wehbe. We are the law... We are the institutions... We are the customs... We are the oil. We wake up and sleep on ostrich feathers. We wash our hands before and after eating... We are everything in a space where there is nothing... Shh, do not speak, do not respond . ... You do not exist.”
“Domestic workers and infectious diseases… I heard that some friends, who hired domestic workers, were surprised after the medical examination as some of the workers tested positive for hepatitis. Here lies the problem, because these workers must return to their countries,” columnist Major General M. Faisal Al-Jazzaf wrote for AlSeyassah daily.
“After completing difficult procedures, paying the fees, etc., the citizen does not benefit at all. The worker was in the house of the citizen while waiting for the medical test results. Let us just imagine that this worker with a contagious disease mingles with the household members. It is a disaster for the household as the worker is a carrier of the contagious virus. This actually happened to some citizens.
“I think it has become important and necessary to fortify society by taking community security measures in all aspects, especially in such cases. Therefore, the procedures for verifying the worker in his country before coming to Kuwait must be repeated. There should be a mechanism for health security; hence, the need to change the procedures in the Ministry of Health, embassies and countries sending domestic workers to Kuwait.
“This is in addition to examining workers in the private sector in order to protect the health of employers and their families, as well as reducing costs for the State, because it incurs losses for conducting examinations here, especially for infectious diseases. Public health is a red line and the concerned authorities must shoulder their responsibility to maintain the safety of society.
“We ask Allah to protect Kuwait and its people under the leadership of His Highness the Amir, may Allah protect him.
“May Allah have mercy on our righteous martyrs.”