Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: An Indian domestic helper hanged herself in the bathroom of her sponsor. Forensic men were called in to recover the body. Investigators will listen to the testimony of her sponsor to determine the circumstances of her death. In another development, an Egyptian told Salmiya police that his brother died when a crane fell on him. The brother submitted a medical report stating the injuries the victim had suffered. The body has been sent to the coroner to determine the exact cause of death.

Assault case filed
A young Kuwaiti man has filed a case of insult, assault and indecent act against the owner of a 4WD vehicle. He gave Jabriya police the license plate number of the suspect. The citizen said he was driving on the Sixth Ring Road when another motorist kept asking him to give way despite a heavy traffic congestion. When it became possible to let him overtake him, the driver insulted him – making indecent gestures and deliberately hitting his car.

Husband accused of stealing
A citizen accused her husband (also a Kuwaiti) of stealing her ATM card in addition to the civil IDs of their four children. She told Jabriya police that her husband beats her a lot despite their court cases, adding that she filed for a divorce when it became impossible to continue the marriage because of his hot temper and assaults.

‘Extremely intoxicated’
Capital Backup Police arrested a Bangladeshi who was found ‘extremely intoxicated’ in Mirqab area shortly after midnight inside a mini-bus at a parking lot.

Missing children found
Hours after the horror experienced parents, relatives and students of a famous private school in Salmiya over the disappearance of two schoolchildren (a 13-year-old girl and her 6-year-old brother), detectives and family members heaved a sigh of relief after the children who disappeared in a highly mysterious manner were later found. A security source said detectives moved in after a Jordanian reported that his daughter and son had gone missing. Students and the parents created (#6) on social media in an attempt to find missing kids. Detectives checked the security cameras near the children’s residence. They saw the girl getting into a vehicle. They traced the vehicle and intensified their search until they found them. —Al Anbaa, Al Rai

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: A number of candidates contesting parliamentary elections on November 26th have had their fair share of verbal blunders over the years, which often induce feelings of sheer anxiety and embarrassment. These verbal errors have prompted many candidates to restart their speeches or shy away from speaking to the media out of fear of falling into one. Many of these candidates have fallen victim to these verbal blunders, only for social media to thrust them into public spotlight.

Moreover, many candidates eschew addressing large rallies on grounds that a simple verbal error could end up costing them a much coveted seat in parliament.

Meanwhile, Arab folklore is dotted with sayings that point to these verbal screw-ups, however, humans are habitually susceptible to these errors in everyday conversations, which induce a lingering sense of discomfort. Verbal blunders are the result of various reasons, including feelings of anxiety, or simply, lack of preparedness, eloquence or political knowhow on the part of candidates.

In an attempt to uncover the reasons for these mishaps and ways to avoid them, Lebanese psychologist Layla Shahroor, noted that public speaking can crank up adrenaline, subsequently, resulting in incoherency when speaking or answering questions. Shahroor said that election candidates are the most vulnerable to verbal errors in their attempt to convey their message to the audience.

On ways to overcome these “embarrassing situations”, she advised candidates to rely on body language to keep fear and nervousness at bay. Dishing out more sage advice on how to avert these mistakes, Shahroor said that candidates should get into the habit of inhaling and exhaling at least five times a day, in addition to always keeping eye contact with the audience.

“Body language has a 93% success rate of delivering the candidates’ message, as opposed to verbal language,” she revealed. Furthermore, she also encouraged all public speakers to be confident when addressing the masses, noting that unnecessary hand gestures could give the audience an impression of “hostility and violence.”

According to the latest psychological research, the first step to get rid of nervousness and fear is to actually be cognizant of its existence, which will go a long way to boost confidence and overcome stage fright, the renowned psychologist added. She also underscored the need of constant practice to ensure a blemish-free performance. — Kuna

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: The Administrative Court yesterday allowed 13 candidates to run in election after it cancelled a decision by election authorities that barred them and 34 other hopefuls from the November 26 election. More decisions are expected next week. The election authorities earlier this week barred 47 candidates including prominent former lawmakers from running in the election for being convicted in court or for failing to complete procedures.

The court had on Wednesday cleared two other candidates and allowed them to run but the government immediately filed objections and later appealed against the rulings. Prominent among those repatriated yesterday was former Shiite MP Abdulhameed Dashti although his lawyer had said his case would be settled on November 9. Dashti, who has been living outside the country since March, is also fighting another battle in the court regarding his registration.

The Appeals Court is scheduled to rule on this case on November 8. Court in Kuwait has handed Dashti jail terms totaling 31 years and six months for insulting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Others given the green light to contest the polls included former MP Safa Al-Hashem and the only member of the ruling family to contest the polls Sheikh Malek Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. Sheikh Malek was barred because he is a member of the ruling family who had always stayed away from polls.

At the time of registration, he said there is nothing legal that prevents members of the ruling family from contesting parliamentary polls. All the court decisions will be heard in the Court of Appeals before the election date. The cases of the rest of the 47 candidates will be settled next week. In the meantime, the election department said that five more candidates have withdrawn from the polls bringing the number of hopefuls left in the fray to just 391.

Those who are considered out of the race include the 47 candidates barred by the election authorities. They will be included in the list only when then get a final court ruling re-instating them. Former MP Adel Al-Khorafi was among the five candidates who withdrew out of the race. He said he pulled out for personal reasons. Khorafi’s action came just a few days after online activists said Khorafi planned to pull out in favor of former Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem as both have registered in the second constituency. The activists, whose claims could not be verified, had said that Khorafi had been promised a ministerial post in the next cabinet if he withdrew from the parliamentary race.

By B Izzak

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Kuwait Times

crime-scene

KUWAIT: An American was recently arrested for robbing mobile phone stores and money in Abo Fateera, security sources said. The case started when a mobile phone owner filed robbery case his by an unidentified robber who stole five expensive mobile phones and KD 1250 in cash. On checking the surveillance cams, detectives identified the suspect and arrested him while hanging around the area. The suspect confessed and a case was field. In another development, a Pakistani barber reported that an unidentified Egyptian had stopped and threatened him with a knife in Farwaniya before robbing him of his KD 600 and other valuable items.

Dentist attacked
Dissatisfied with the service she got at private dentist clinic in Farwaniya, a female citizen assaulted both the dentist and a receptionist before she left the place. Filled with rage, the woman left her purse and snatched the file and dashed out of the clinic. A case was filed and the woman is being summoned for further investigations.

Policeman under investigation
MoI is currently subjecting a policeman under investigation for detaining some school students who had skipped school in his patrol vehicle.

3 Kuwaitis arrested
Three citizens were recently arrested at Nuwaiseeb land border exit for drug related cases. The suspects had heroin packs hidden within their vehicle, said security sources.

Kuwaiti robbed
A citizen reported that someone driving a car stopped him in Sabahiya area and asked to use his mobile phone. The man added that the driver took the phone and drove off waving goodbye to him.

Fighting in restaurant
Six female citizens and a female Syrian were recently taken to Fintas police for fighting inside a restaurant. Security sources said that they women were engaged in an argument which later developed into a fight. A case was filed. – Al-Rai, Al-Anbaa

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Kuwait Times

Beggar arrested

KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality inspection teams inspected 1620 stores and filed 156 violations in October, said the municipality services follow-up manager Faleh Al-Otaibi. He explained that the 48 violations were filed for using adverts without prior license, 43 for not renewing licenses, 46 for not having licenses in addition to 11 other ad-related case.

Beggar arrested
A female Asian beggar was recently arrested in Nugra while begging along side with two unidentified little girls. Security sources said that the suspect’s residency visa had been expired since 2012 and that she seemed sick. Accordingly, the woman was hospitalized at the infectious diseases hospital for proper medical check. The sources also noted that the girls caught with her did not have any IDs. The woman’s sponsor has been summoned for further investigations.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: Ministry of Interior (MoI) seized 180,000 bottles of illegal liquor worth KD 15 million yesterday. – moi

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) yesterday announced the biggest-ever alcohol haul in the country’s history – seizing 180,000 bottles of liquor worth KD 15 million, according to security sources. The Ministry of Interior Undersecretary Lieutenant General Suleiman Al-Fahad said in a statement that officers at the Drug Control Department arrested two suspects; a Kuwaiti and an Iranian who tried to smuggle the largest-ever batch of alcohol into the country. The shipment contained 15,000 cartons consisting of 180,000 bottles of liquor.

According to case papers, detectives had been tipped off about the suspicious movements of the smugglers and that a special undercover agent was assigned to reach a deal with them under the pretense that he would purchase 70 cartons from them. The citizen, who had a criminal record for committing similar crimes in the past, was caught red-handed while delivering the contraband.

His arrest led the police to his Iranian accomplice and the supplier and eventually to his secret warehouse in Sulaibiya. General Al-Fahad lauded the drug control officers for their meticulous and careful planning in carrying out the operation underlining their dedication in keeping the country safe.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: The electoral headquarters of the candidates standing for the 2016 parliamentary elections are once again shining with lights ahead of the polls slated for November 26, amid a real democratic and competitive atmosphere. It is so quiet and calm at these headquarters during the day, but it is completely lit at night, as they are packed with candidates’ supporters, and others concerned with politics. — KUNA

KUWAIT: With less than a month before the parliamentary elections slated for November 26, candidates, males and females alike, are beating time to come up with attractive ideas to lure their voters. Candidates are running for parliamentary elections for so many reasons, ie prestige, show-off, influence, and there for sure are many who run for the sake of their homeland’s prosperity. Running for elections can become a nightmare for some candidates who have nothing to give to their voters, where some make extraordinary promises which cannot be implemented on ground.

Others who fully adhere to their electoral program may not be lucky enough to win the race, whereas many candidates can snatch the seat through their prestige. Experts in the fields of psychology and media have agreed that some candidates may seek influence, tribal linkage, dominance and prestige, whereas others have commitment to their electoral programs and want really to make a change in the society. Dr Saud Al-Ghanim, Professor of Media in Kuwait University told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the candidate may run for elections to satisfy his or her needs such as security, belonging and influence.

Al-Ghanim added that some candidates feel that they have incompetence in some aspects of their lives and want to fulfill, even though many of them are rich enough to “buy an island abroad and live securely with their families but still eye influence”. Asked about ways where the candidate can persuade the voters, he said that some candidates are good in rational persuasion and logical thinking, adding that those candidates have documents and proofs that substantiate their opinion, also making it easy for their aides to convince voters to vote for him.

Al-Ghanim said the second method of persuasion is the use of emotions, belonging and family bonds to lure voters, saying that this way is “unacceptable”. Asked how the voters can know whether this candidate is serious in implementing his or her program once elected for parliament, he replied by saying that there are many factors the voter can use to determine this matter including the past experience of the candidate, or whether he or she is supported and backed by a certain group or affiliation and most importantly the nature of people around him.

Also asked whether the high pitched tone of the candidate could have an impact on the voter’s conviction, Al-Ghanim said that some people become easily affected and persuaded by the high pitch whereas other don’t. Dr Fawaz Al-Ajmi, another Media Professor in Kuwait University told KUNA that some candidates contest the election for nothing but influence and prestige and there are others who would really want to do a change. Al-Ajmi added that there are voters who become convinced by the candidate’s appearance or look, adding that voters also can judge whether the candidate deserves the parliamentary seat if he or she was an organized person, which in turn the candidate’s personality would be reflected on the society.

He pointed out that some candidates believe that it is easy to run for the elections because of the availability of the social media means which have made everything easy, adding that it has now become effortless to become acquainted with the candidate’s program and future plans. He noted that the social media outlets have also made it easy for the candidate to run for elections where in the past, the candidates used to visit the voters at their diwaniyahs to disclose their electoral program.

From the psychological perspective, Assistant Professor of Psychology in Kuwait University Dr Naeima Taher said that many candidates run for the elections as they believe they can resolve the country’s problems, whereas others believe it is lucrative to be an MP. She added that some candidates believe in the prestige and love to be seen by others in the various media means. She pointed out that the society now is aware of the electoral process and would not be deceived by those who do not want good for the society. – KUNA

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Kuwait Times

Photo shows Kuwaiti National Assembly

KUWAIT: The 2016 National Assembly election, which will be held on November 26, will see a furious competition among experienced and new-comer contenders. This unique mixture of candidates with expertise and others with new schools of thought is expected to draw many voters to the polling stations to choose who will be the best among those to serve the best interest of the people in the next phase. Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) took to the street to see how the public is feeling towards voting for a new-comer candidate or a more experienced one.

Talal Al-Fadhli, 38 years old, said that voters will have a difficult choice to decide who to vote for in November 26; their choice will heavily rely on who will represent them best in the parliament. Voters seek to have a powerful parliament that would accelerate the process of development in the country, especially since the region is being affected by so many security and economic challenges. He pointed out that he leans toward picking new blood candidates to give them a chance to prove themselves and allow the people’s demands to be heard. He encourages voters to choose a contender away from any sectarian or tribal prejudice.

Abrar Al-Dawsari, 21, rooted for experienced candidates for they have political and economic prowess. Her choice rests on the fact that the country is coming into a new era full of challenges and a change is required to face these tests. She added that the next parliament should be influential and the MPs should be there to serve the people and should occupy this important post only to serve their personal agendas. Ali Al-Mutairi, 30, said that voting is a patriotic duty that should be exercised by everyone who seeks to improve the country’s services at all levels.

He added that his vote will be given to the candidate whom he sees will be able to defend the people and speak out for them. Others who spoke to KUNA expressed similar sentiments towards the upcoming elections. They all emphasized the importance to raising awareness to the public to exercise their political right and choosing wisely. A total of 391 candidates so far officially registered for the 2016 parliamentary election. According to the Ministry of Interior, candidates who wish to withdraw from the race can submit a request to the Elections’ Affairs Department up until seven days before elections day, or November 19. by meeting the aspirations of the public.

Meanwhile, three parliamentary hopefuls quit the electoral race yesterday, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) announced, leaving a total of 388 candidates contesting parliamentary elections on November 26th. In a statement, the MoI’s Department of Election Affairs noted that Adel Al-Kharafi has relinquished his candidacy in the Second Constituency, while Khaled Al-Azmi and Abdulmohsen Al-Mqataa, two candidates from the Fifth Constituency, have quit the race. As per election laws, candidates are permitted to drop out of the electoral race no later than a week before the date of elections. The 2016 parliamentary elections are held according to decree 20/2012, amended by law 42/2006 on re-organizing the electoral constituencies. – Agencies

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Kuwait Times

Dozen arrested in fake domestic help office

KUWAIT: Residency detectives raided a fake domestic help office in Jleeb Al-Shuyiukh, where 12 residency violators and absconders were arrested with a large number of fake receipts and stamps. Sources added that the office had been providing daily maid services and practicing fraud.

Firemen hurt
A fire broke out in a Hawally building, said security sources, noting that on rushing to the scene, Hawally and Salmiya fire teams found that the fire was in a first-floor apartment. The fire was controlled and the tenants were rescued with no casualties, except for two firemen who suffered from heat stress and were treated onsite.

Forgery
A citizen was arrested for renewing a commercial license of his transport company without using proper legal documents. Security sources said that the suspect renewed the license twice – in 2013 and 2016 – in the same way. The sources also noted that a female employee involved in the forgery is still at large and that a search is on for her.

Inspections
The Capital municipality made several inspections during September on co-ops, stores, restaurants and foodstuff warehouses to check the safety of the food, said Capital municipality manager Ammar Al-Ammar, noting that the inspections resulted in removing 437 ads and filing 17 citations.

Ministry awarded
The Ministry of Interior’s relations and security media department said that for the second year in a row, the 30th Arab Anti-Narcotics Apparatuses Conference recently held in Tunisia awarded Kuwait’s interior ministry for the best operational and information cooperation on Arab, regional and international levels. The department said such cooperation resulted in busting several drug smuggling networks through joint cooperation and exchanging information.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

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Kuwait Times

crime-scene

KUWAIT: A policeman was arrested for violating traffic laws, dangerous driving and trying to escape arrest. Security sources said the suspect was stopped for a traffic ticket while he was in uniform in his private vehicle, which he did not like. He left his driving license and registration with his colleagues and tried to drive off in a stunt-like manner before backup arrived and stopped him.

Fatal accident
A Syrian was instantly killed when he lost control over his vehicle and it collided into a lamppost along the Sixth Ring Road. A case was filed to reveal the circumstances which led to the accident.

Worker hurt
A civilian employee at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) was injured after he fell from a first-floor terrace at MoI headquarters. Security sources said the employee was smoking on the terrace, when he leaned on the railing, which broke, causing him to fall from a three-meter height. The man was rushed to hospital.

Theft
A citizen reported that the contents of his vehicle were stolen while it was parked inside the municipality impoundment garage. A case was filed and investigations are ongoing to reveal the circumstances behind the theft.

Expat muggers caught
A Kuwaiti citizen and two bedoons were arrested for impersonating as police detectives and robbing expats, said security sources, noting that the suspects were found responsible for over 40 robberies in various areas.

Fire
A fire broke at the Amghara scrap market, said security sources, adding that firefighters managed to control the fire without reporting any casualties. An investigation is underway to determine the causes of the fire. – Al-Rai and Al-Anbaa

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: This November 6, 1991 file photo shows then Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (center) attending a ceremony to celebrate the extinguishing of the last burning oil well since the Iraqi Invasion eight months prior. – KUNA photo

KUWAIT: Kuwait commemorates today the 25th anniversary of putting out the last oil well set on fire during the Iraqi invaders. Iraqi troops, in 1990, set about 700 oil wells on fire before withdrawing from Kuwait in 1991, leaving behind one of the worst environmental calamities in recent memory.

The last of the burning oil wells was extinguished on November sixth during a ceremony attended by the late Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Exceeding expectations, the job took only eight months due to the efforts of more than 10,000 experts from different countries. The Kuwaiti team managed to put out 41 oil well fires. – KUNA

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: Third constituency candidate Abdulmohsin Khalaf Al-Saeed talks to Kuwait Times. – Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Abdulmohsin Khalaf Al-Saeed is a first-time candidate running in the elections from the third constituency. He is a banker, and has many ideas and solutions to develop the country. According to him, both the legislative and executive authorities are not active, as there are many improvements and developments that can be done in Kuwait. The current situation inspired him to run in the elections.

“Previous MPs did not play their role in the proper way. Parliament members should both legislate and control according to the constitution. Looking back at the previous parliaments, we notice that the government was suggesting laws much more than the parliament, while it should be the opposite,” Saeed told Kuwait Times. “The internal rules of the parliament should be changed. To submit a law proposal in the parliament, an MP needs two other supporters, which I think is incorrect,” he said.

Economic reforms
“The steps taken for economic reforms were not correct. Reforms should start with businessmen and not simple people. I have alternative solutions for this issue, which will avoid taking such measures. Kuwait depends on natural resources which were not created by people, so its economy is strong. The mistake is that we are not investing in this wealth.

“We can overcome the present crisis by investing in the oil sector. They buy a barrel of our oil for $40, then sell it back to us for $400 through the products we import. We can correct the budget deficit by this idea of investing in oil. Kuwait sells three million barrels of oil daily, which can’t cover the budget deficit, and this causes anxiety to those who are related to the economy. So when the oil price rises, they feel happy and satisfied, and are worried if the price drops, as they know it will have a bad impact on them.

“The solution is very simple without all these reforms. The solution is in investing in oil in the same way as developed countries, so we can produce raw materials which we can sell. This will bring a much bigger income than what we get from selling crude oil. Unfortunately, both the parliament and Cabinet ignored this issue for many years, although it can be realized by issuing a law that allows foreign oil companies to work in Kuwait.

“Producing raw material and other products such as medicine, rubber, etc will increase the gross national product (GNP), and Kuwait will become a manufacturing country – at least of oil products – as we don’t have a real economy due to not having any agriculture or animal husbandry. Kuwait can become bankrupt within 10 years if it starts depending completely on renewable energy. This may happen if we don’t develop the oil sector.

“If this law passes in the parliament, it will provide hundreds of jobs and will eliminate unemployment. I have conducted many studies with my colleagues through which we found that the oil sector is the only sector that didn’t stop during the financial crisis and was not affected. This law will also provide opportunities for small companies that will work as subcontractors in a similar way to what happened in 2003, when many small companies worked with the US Army and over ??????$6 million?????? was spent.

“Today, the occupation is different. Kuwait is forced to make half of its investments inside the country and the other half outside by investing in US treasury bonds or sovereign wealth funds, so we spend abroad and our money stays there.”

Petrol price hike
“The impact of the petrol price hike is not visible yet, but people will notice it soon, as the price of most products and services will go up as a result. The parliament didn’t discuss this point when they approved giving a coupon for free petrol, but didn’t give coupons for other commodities and products. The biggest cause of this crisis in the national budget is due to medical treatment abroad, which consumes KD 740 million per year. The minister of health should be grilled and not the minister of commerce.”

Health
“The doctors here are not highly qualified, so the patient has to visit more doctors and get more diagnoses. We also see many medical errors, and recently a former MP died after a wrong surgery. The government is spending around KD 1,200 per person per year on healthcare, as the budget for medical treatment abroad is KD 740 million, in addition to the budget of the health ministry. This huge figure can provide the best healthcare including services and staff.

“The solution to this wrong situation is by issuing legislation that forces the ministry of health to develop the health sector in Kuwait. It should also establish a research center to train medical staff. This is a national project that will be welcomed by all MPs. This will realize the dream of all Kuwaiti doctors to have a Kuwaiti board in the same way as other developed countries.

“This will shift medical treatment inside the country instead of traveling abroad for this purpose. This will also create medical tourism into Kuwait, and visitors from neighboring countries will come to get medical treatment in Kuwait, and it will become a medical and manufacturing center.”

Education
“According to statistics issued by the ministry of education, the government spends KD 3,600 per year on each Kuwaiti student. This figure is a shock to any citizen. With this amount, we expect to have a much better standard of education, as we spend a lot and the outcome is bad. The teacher is the most important factor in education. Teachers here are not proud of their profession, while in the West teachers are proud of their job. Teachers here are not respected too, so we should issue a law that protects their rights.

“We also should establish a center to prepare the teacher to start working. Teachers should also be allowed to submit any suggestion and it could be taken into consideration. The project should also bring 10 of the best universities around the world to supervise and direct education in Kuwait.”

Profile
Saeed was born in 1979, graduated from Kuwait University with a degree in commerce, economy and political science, and worked for 15 years in investment and banking. He is a member of various NGOs including the Red Crescent and Journalists Association. He resigned from his job at a bank and is now running his own business. His election slogan is ‘We Can with our Will’. “I mean by this slogan that we can change Kuwait for the better,” Saeed concluded.

By Nawara Fattahova, Staff Writer

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Kuwait Times

Yacoub Al-Ebrahim

KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait announced a net profit of KD 27.5 million for the nine-month period of 2016 compared with KD 25.4 million in same period last year, a growth of 8.2 percent. Fee income witnessed year on year growth of 8.8 percent, foreign exchange income 61 percent and investment portfolio income 31.3 percent. The bank continues to maintain a solid level of operating profit before provision, amounting to KD 74.5 million compared to KD 74.0 million for the same period last year.

Commenting on the bank’s financial results, the bank’s spokesman Yacoub Al-Ebrahim said Commercial Bank’s total assets at the end of Sept 2016 reached KD 4,047 million (Sept 2015 – KD 4,035 million). The banks’ capital adequacy ratio at the end of Sept 2016 at 16.86 percent is higher than the minimum 13.5 percent required by the Central Bank of Kuwait, while the leverage ratio at 10.6 percent is more than three times higher than the minimum requirement of three percent.

Ebrahim added that the bank continues to maintain a lower NPL ratio, which reached 0.91 percent at the end of Sept 2016, one of the best ratios in Kuwait’s banking system, with an available provisioning coverage of 658.8 percent. Ebrahim concluded his statement by referring to the bank’s solid performance which was recognized by international rating agencies in their recently published credit opinion.

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Kuwait Times

Kuwaiti Islamist opposition leaders and candidates, Osama al-Mnawer (L), Walid al-Tabtabai (2nd L), Bader al-Dahoum (2nd R) and Adel al-Damkhi (R) sit on October 30, 2016 during a campaign meeting for the upcoming parliamentary election in Kuwait City. Kuwait opposition groups are returning to the polls after a four-year boycott, seeking to curb a political “deterioration” in the oil-rich Gulf state, but analysts doubt they will succeed. More than 30 prominent Islamist and liberal opposition figures and former lawmakers have registered to run in the November 26 polls in the hope of forming a formidable political force. / AFP / Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti opposition groups are aiming for a comeback in parliament after a four-year election boycott, seeking to reverse what they see as the deteriorating political situation in the state. More than 30 prominent Islamist and liberal opposition figures and former lawmakers have registered to run in the Nov 26 polls in the hope of forming a formidable political force.

Kuwait’s 50-seat parliament is considered the most powerful of its kind in the Gulf Arab states thanks to its legislative and monitoring capacities. The opposition groups boycotted two general elections in 2012 and 2013 in protest at a change in the voting system brought unilaterally by the government. The opposition alliance said at the time that the change, later endorsed by Kuwait’s constitutional court, would allow the government to control parliament and promote autocratic rule.

“The opposition has discovered that the boycott was not the right choice. In fact, they found that they have only isolated themselves,” political analyst Nasser Al-Abdali said. “I think the boycott has considerably weakened the opposition as a whole,” Abdali, the head of Kuwait Society for the Promotion of Democracy, told AFP. HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah last month dissolved parliament over a dispute over a hike in petrol prices and called for snap polls.

The opposition held massive street protests in 2011 and 2012 demanding democratic reforms and an elected government in the state, which has a population of 4.3 million, of which 70 percent are foreigners. But over the past two years, the strength of the opposition, which last controlled parliament in Feb 2012, weakened considerably. The change in the voting system and the opposition boycott together helped elect a pro-government Assembly that critics often described as a “rubberstamp” parliament.

By boycotting the polls, the opposition sent an important message against the government’s “unconstitutional practices” that undermined true democracy, Islamist candidate Mohammad Al-Dallal said. “After four years (of opposition boycotts), the political situation has deteriorated, corruption became rife and both the government and parliament failed to deal with major economic and security issues,” Dallal, a former opposition MP, told AFP. “That is why the participation of the opposition became necessary to enforce reforms, confront corruption and strengthen democracy,” he said.

Former liberal opposition MP Abdulrahman Al-Anjari admitted the boycott failed to achieve its goals. “The boycott failed to abolish the government change in the voting system,” Anjari, who is running for office, said at a symposium this week. “Parliament should not be left without opposition,” he said.

But several opposition figures, including former three-time parliament speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun, have decided to continue with the boycott saying participation will not solve any problem. The opposition is rejoining polls while one of its prominent leaders and former MP Musallam al-Barrak is serving a two-year jail term for criticizing HH the Amir in public.

Kuwait has the Gulf’s oldest elected parliament, but under the constitution, the Amir has extensive powers and can dissolve the legislature at the recommendation of the government. Ruling family members occupy the key portfolios of defense, foreign and interior. While parliament has the power to vote the prime minister and Cabinet members out of office, the set-up means change is not easy.

Political analyst Mohammad Al-Ajmi believes the opposition will have a limited presence in the next parliament, and “will not be a big or effective force”. “I think the next house will be dominated by pro-government lawmakers,” the sociology professor told AFP. Abdali said he thinks that the opposition could have 10 MPs in the next parliament but many of them will be new faces. The elections come as Kuwait, which sits on around seven percent of the world’s proven crude reserves, grapples with a sharp fall in oil prices that pushed it into a budget deficit after 16 years of surpluses. – AFP

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: Two maids beat up their elderly sponsor and escaped. The sponsor included a medical report in her complaint, which listed several injuries. She said the maids entered her room, with one holding a stick, adding that she does not know why the two attacked her.

Search for reckless driver
A citizen crashed his car into a laundry shop, then backed into a parked car before escaping. Interior ministry operations received a call about the incident in Maidan Hawally, so policemen want to the site and began investigations. The man did not go to the police station when he was summoned by police, so detectives were asked to arrest him.

Wife charged
A citizen accused his Tunisian wife of stealing the contents of a beauty salon he owns in Salmiya. Detectives are looking for the suspect for questioning.

Muggers at large
Hawally detectives are looking for two persons who robbed two expats. A security source said an Indian told Salmiya police that two persons robbed him of his smartphone, KD 150 and his civil ID. Meanwhile, a Pakistani taxi driver said a man claiming to be a detective robbed him of KD 500.

Abduction
An Egyptian man’s name was placed on the travel ban list to prevent him from leaving with his daughter, who is in her mother’s custody. The Egyptian woman told police that her ex-husband kidnapped their daughter, saying that after he picked up the girl from school, he fled to an unknown area. – Al-Anbaa and Al-Rai

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KUWAIT: A juvenile sought the help of two friends to lure a man who had an affair with one of his relatives, then raped him. A police source said the youth discovered that one of his female relatives had a relationship with a man, so he took her phone and beat her before locking her up. The source said the suspect, with two of his friends, tricked the man into having a meeting, then abducted him and beat him. He was then raped. The source said the victim told his mother about the attack, so she took him to the police station and filed a complaint. Detectives are working on the case.

Drug traffickers caught
Four Egyptian nationals who were using and selling drugs, while at the same time were in violation of the residency law, were arrested by Farwaniya police, to be later sent to the Drugs Control General Department. Police patrols suspected the four, so they were stopped and found to be in an abnormal condition. When they were searched, hashish ready for sale was found on them. They were taken to the police station.

KD 1,500 debt
A Yemeni man was arrested after a foot chase in Adan, as she was wanted over a KD 1,500 debt. Policemen took the woman to the civil implementation department for further legal action.

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Lt Gen Suleiman Al-Fahd

KUWAIT: Interior Ministry Undersecretary Lt Gen Suleiman Al-Fahd said the Interior Ministry is working hard on resolving the traffic problem according to the most modern scientific and practical methods. He pointed to the danger of driving all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs) and similar vehicles on streets and the accidents they cause, despite efforts and campaigns to limit such accidents. He said riding of ATVs by children and youths in residential areas causes many accidents and some of them lead to death. Fahd said strict application of the traffic law is in the public interest and maintains the safety of the country’s youth, adding that the responsibility is of all without exception. He said parents are not free from this responsibility, adding that any adult who rides an ATV will be detained, while a juvenile will be sent to the care home and his parents will be legally responsible.

Pagan rituals
The Interior Ministry’s Relations and Security Information Department said measures have been taken against an employee of the emergency hotline 112, as she did not deal seriously with a call from a woman about a person allegedly carrying out Pagan rituals in public, which is illegal in Kuwait. The department said the ministry does not tolerate any laxity in dealing with such calls or any call that is made to the 112 center.

Sirens test
The Civil Defense Department will test sirens tomorrow (Nov 8) at 10 am to make sure they are in working order, a Ministry of Interior statement said. The department said that there will be three tunes of varying pitches. The first is intermittent, which means an emergency is near happening; the second is a wavy tune, which means the danger is underway; while the third tune is continuous, which means the danger is over. The civil defense department will receive calls and questions from all those who hear the sirens on 1804000.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

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KUWAIT: Political analyst Rima Al-Odheeb stressed the need for all parliamentary elections candidates to undergo medical tests, adding that such a decision has been delayed for too long and should have been put into practice years ago. She noted many Arab countries have made such tests mandatory to run. Odheeb said medical examination of candidates is a major step towards having parliamentarians with good health that would be positively echoed in their opinions and role in legislation and monitoring. “MPs must be physically and mentally fit to perform well,” she said. Odheeb said a survey on her Twitter account to probe public opinion found that 88 percent of participants agreed, while only 12 percent rejected the proposal.

Health cooperation
Health minister Dr Ali Al-Obaidi yesterday signed a contract of cooperation between Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (RCPS) of Canada. KIMS Secretary General Dr Ibrahim Hadi announced implementing the cooperation agreement for three years with the aim of developing the institute’s training courses and ensure training doctors according to highest international medical training standards. Hadi added that the agreement was approved by KIMS head of the board of trustees and health minister Obaidi to train the institute’s training staff on latest clinical training and means of assessing trainees. He added that the agreement includes having RCPS supervise the Kuwaiti board examinations.

Municipal Council elections
Municipal Council Chairman Muhalhel Al-Khaled said the council’s supplementary elections  would be held according to the earlier constituencies’ system and that new areas would be added as per the new municipality law 33/2016. Khaled said MoI will announce the new lists of voters residing in new areas who had been deprived of voting in previous municipal council elections according to the old law 5/2005. Khaled explained that supplementary elections would be held in five constituencies – the fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth – after members Abdullah Al-Kandari, Ahmed Al-Bughaili, Nayef Al-Sour, Meshari Al-Mutoutah and Mane Al-Ajmi resigned.

Renewable energy
Minister of Electricity and Water and Acting Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Al-Jassar yesterday launched a project to install photoelectric cells at the Bayan water reservoirs. A statement issued by the ministry said the project is part of its keenness on adopting the latest in the field of renewable energy as well as reach the ultimate goal of covering 15 percent of the energy Kuwait needs by 2030 by renewable energy.  The statement added that the project was launched in collaboration with the Environment Friends Company; the sole representative of S-Energy Company of Korea. The project includes installing solar panels, including 492 photoelectric cells, over an area of 2,000 sq m to produce 120 kilowatts of electricity and link them to the main grid. The statement added that the cells used were especially designed to work in extreme heat of up to 95 degrees. The ministry added that a special polyethylene cleaning technology would be used instead of water to ensure the cells’ durability. The ministry added that the project is supervised by a group of Kuwaiti engineers and technicians working for the ministry.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

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KUWAIT: A state of chaos prevailed yesterday at the domestic helpers’ medical examination department, where hundreds crowded to undergo medical tests pending renewing residency visas, which resulted in delaying many transactions.

Illegal camps
Jahra municipality launched a wide-scale campaign to fine illegal camps pitched without having valid licenses, violating the limits specified for each camp, or camping in off-limit areas. Some camps were warned during the campaign while over 50 violating ones are being removed. Separately, the Ministry of Health announced its intention to use ATVs as ambulances during the camping season so that paramedics can reach various camps easily.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

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KUWAIT: Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP) has signed a contract between public and private sectors and a group of companies headed by ‘Projacs’ for projects management, to provide special advisory for the South Al-Jahra Labor City project. South Al-Jahra Labor City will be offered for investment with the establishment of a Kuwaiti shareholding company, KAPP said in a statement.

The company will be established in accordance with the country’s build, operate and transfer (BOT) system and Law No 116 of 2014. The project aims to provide housing for expats with low incomes in peace with good environmental and service standards that include all security, health, entertaining and social facilities for employment, it said.

The project’s area exceeds one million square meters, with a capacity of 20, 000 workers. The duration of the project is estimated to be 40 years according to build-operate-transfer (BOT) system, including three years of design and construction. – KUNA

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