The Kuwaiti National Assembly (parliament) on Wednesday renewed confidence in the Deputy Prime Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah and the latter pledged to pursue efforts to eradicate administrative corruption.
Voting by acclamation in parliament on a no-confidence vote, filed by MPs against the defense minister, showed that 23 MPs rejected the motion while 18 others supported it — out of the total present legislators, 41.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was quick in addressing a cable of congratulations to Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali for surviving the no-confidence vote in parliament.
His Highness the Amir, in the cable, lauded the minister for his convincing replies to MPs’ queries during the parliamentary grilling session, also praising the high-level democratic practice on part of the MPs during the session, held on January 18.
A cable was also addressed to the minister by His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, congratulating him on winning the legislators’ confidence.
After surviving the no-confidence vote, the minister expressed confidence in the National Assembly. In a speech he delivered during the special parliamentary, he expressed pride of renewing confidence in him by representatives of the nation and the support presented during the interpellation session.
“This confidence increased my sense of trust and responsibility entrusted to me by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al_Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah,” he said The minister added that it also boosted his insistence and determination to move forward to conduct administrative reform and fight corruption.
He valued the stances of all members of the parliament, for or against him, within the framework and limits of constitutional practice which he finds appropriate, affirming his permanent position with every effort or direction to “fix any defect.” He expressed readiness for all possible forms of cooperation with the Assembly on all issues permitted by the constitution.
Further in this regard, the minister expressed thanks to Al-Ghanim, members of parliament and the Kuwaiti people for their trust and confidence in him. He also extended his thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and all ministers for their support, assistance and cooperation.
“I would like to confirm to everyone that interrogation and grilling have neither winner nor loser. We are all keen to uphold the constitution to achieve the interests of the people and the country,” he noted.
“We take into consideration the observations, ideas and proposals made by parliament members that are in the interest of the country and citizens and in line with the directives of the wise leadership,” he explained.
Members of the Kuwaiti National Assembly addressed Wednesday’s session dedicated for grilling the Minister of Defense. NA member Shuaib Al-Muwaizri charged that “there has been explicit corruption” in the ministry of defense, also sharply criticizing the minister’s performance; such as his purported negligence of replying to queries by the Audit Bureau.
Moreover, the MP charged that there had been “suspicious commissions” in the transaction to purchase Caracal aircraft. His peer, Abdullah Al-Traiji, also spoke, expressing opposition to the no-confidence vote noting that the minister had issued a decision regarding women military recruitment in line with the Islamic Shariaa.
Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali, Al-Traiji added, had also referred two officers, relatives of him, to the public prosecution and the topic of the Eurofighters deal to the Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha).
Members of the parliament began earlier today debating the no-confidence motion against the minister. Addressing the session, Al-Ghanim affirmed that during the session held on January 18, following an interpellation of the minister, ten MPs had submitted a no-confidence vote against him.
Al-Ghanim also affirmed that he would allow MPs, namely two of those who had filed the motion, to address today’s session.
The speaker inaugurated today’s session. According to the NA bylaw, the speaker, before voting on the motion, will primarily allow MPs, namely those who had submitted the motion, to address the session. Moreover, in line with Kuwait Constitution, a minister is responsible in front of the parliament and if the legislators vote to strip him (her) of confidence, he (she) will have to resign immediately.
The concerned minister, according to the constitution and the NA by-law, is compelled to step down if majority of the MPs vote for stripping him (her) of the confidence. Ministers cannot participate in the voting in such case.
The parliament, at a session on January 18, examined an interpellation motion presented by MP Hamdan Al-Azmi against the minister of defense. Also during this session, ten MPs requested no-confidence vote against him.
Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali was grilled over irregularities in his department and the issue of women recruitment in the military.
Source: Kuwait News Agency