Kuwait Times

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KUWAIT: In 2014 Kuwait ratified the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. In the same year the Council of Ministers issued Resolution No. 1070 transferring the dependency copyright administration from the Ministry of Trade and Industry to the National Library of Kuwait. The National Library provides services in the area of depository, preservation, and protection of intellectual property rights of authors through the application of the depository System, where the author or publisher registers and deposits the author’s artistic works in the National Library to ensure the conservation of the author’s intellectual property.

And now Kuwait has issued a new copyright law, Law no. 22 of 2016 (On Copyrights and Related Rights). The new law covers the copyright and related rights of natural and legal entities; Kuwaitis and foreigners permanently resident in the State of Kuwait; and foreign nationals belonging to one of the member States of the Convention or the Organization and those under their auspices. The old law (No. 64 of 1999 on Intellectual Property Rights) has been revoked.
The protection established by the new law is conferred upon the copyright of original works of literature, arts, sciences, or knowledge, whatever the type of work or the means of its expression, its importance, or the purpose of its authoring or composition.

Protection of author’s moral and financial rights
The author and the author’s heir shall enjoy perpetual, inalienable and imprescriptibly moral rights over the work. Also, performance artists, their heirs and successors shall enjoy perpetual, inalienable and imprescriptibly moral rights.
The author, and their heirs and successors are to enjoy the exclusive right to permit or prevent any form of use or exploitation of the work, and for those authors who not have heirs or successors, the Kuwaiti National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters will be responsible to protect the authors’ interests against any infringement. Also, performance artists enjoy some financial rights as per the new law.

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For the first time in Kuwait, the new law protects the author’s works, in particular from unauthorized publication, reproduction, public broadcast or rebroadcast, public communication, translation, adaptation, rental, or the making available of the work to the public including via computer, the internet, information networks, communications networks or other means.
The duration of protection endures for the period of the author’s lifetime and fifty years following the author’s death. Also, the duration of protection with regards to audio, visual, audio-visual works and films, collective works of a legal entity, and computer programs shall be fifty years as of the date of the first showing or legitimate publication of the work, regardless of republication.

Enforcement
The new law gives an important role to the National Library of Kuwait, as for the library’s staff (who are designated by the competent minister (i.e. the Minister of Information)) have the right to monitor the implementation of the Law by inspecting presses, libraries, publishing houses and public places. If any potential infringement is detected, they are to forward details of this to the relevant authority for further investigation. They have the right to request police assistance in the performance of their duties if needed.
Furthermore, by a reasoned administrative decision from the competent Minister, any establishment in violation of the law may be closed temporarily for a maximum period of three months and, in case of repetition, may have its license withdrawn and be closed permanently. The Public Prosecution have the exclusive authority to investigate, act and make prosecutions in relation to all crimes resulting from the application of the provisions of the new law.
Any infringement of the moral or financial copyright of the author may incur a prison sentence of between six months and two years, and/or a fine of KD 500 to KD 50,000. This also applies to anyone found guilty of distributing equipment designed to circumvent the technical protection employed by copyright owners, for which the fine may be as much as KD 100,000.

Conclusion
The new law is a significant step forward for the protection of copyright in Kuwait, and a reflection of how important the subject is to the government. It is hoped that Kuwait will be strong in enforcing compliance with the new law, and that it will continue to revise it to keep pace with technological advancements. – Al-Tamimi and Company

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Kuwait Times

An improved educational sector remains one of the most pressing public demands in Kuwait

KUWAIT: Just as November 26 was set for the snap parliamentary elections, the electoral scene has been bustling; candidates hurried to register and join the race, working hard on their manifestos and campaigns to win people to vote for them.

Voters, on the other hand, have been busing considering the urgent issues of prime importance for the majority of the people, that will need to be addressed by the mew parliament. They are examining the electoral programs, or manifestos to choose who can really represent them and defend their rights and gains in the Abdullah Al-Salem’s Hall.

It is always been the case with every parliamentary poll, that voters in the five constituencies have disparate views regarding the priorities that will have to be on top of the agenda of the future legislature. However, they share the view on essential topics, namely housing, education, health and unemployment. These top the list of people’s concerns, closely related to the present, and the future.

Still these same traditional issues and problems come on top of peoples interest, as they look forward to having MPs who enjoy a high sense of responsibility and capabilities to develop the efficacious solutions, Nasser Abdulaziz, an engineer at the Ministry of Electricity and Water said.

Promoting education takes over all other issues; it the real criteria of a society’s development in all fields, Abdulaziz said. A nations progress and aspiration rely mainly on good education, especially in early stages, to guarantee a bright future for the country, Abdulaziz added.

Health care
Ahmad Al-Herz, also an engineer at the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), urged the potential MPs to concern themselves more with the issue of health care. For Herz, improving health services is a ‘necessity’ of high concern to citizens and expats.
The issue includes providing the state of the art medical equipment, and foreign efficiencies, which will be for the benefit of all, and in the meantime save the huge sums of money spent on treating patients abroad.

For Bader Al-Mashaan, a citizen, housing is an issue of high concern to many Kuwaitis; it is essential for the stability of a family. Mashaan hopes that voters will choose representatives who can fulfill their mission and play due role in handling the issues of the society.

Unemployment
Citizen Omar Al-Saidi said meanwhile that unemployment has to be paid utmost attention by the new legislatures, to rid the society of the hardest obstacle to youth aspiration. Unemployment is a chief cause of some youth deviation from the right path, and who could fall prey to drug-taking or even to commit crimes punishable by the law, he said.

Creating new jobs and investing youth free time in the best possible way for their own good and for the society, has to top off all priorities of new parliament. There is dire need for hard work to avoid the negative and social impact of joblessness, he noted.

According to a poll by the Secretariat of the former parliament, dissolved by an Amiri decree last month, housing topped the concern of the Kuwaiti people by 21 percent; promoting health services followed with 17 percent.  Developing education was third on the list with 13 percent, and citizens loans ranked fourth. Other topics included women, development, increasing wages, administrative reform, countering corruption, and traffic. The poll covered 10,551 people, out of 439,715 eligible voters, about 2.4 percent. – KUNA

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KUWAIT: Forty nine MPs had succeeded in representing the first constituency in the last 12 parliamentary rounds from 1981 till 2013. The 1st constituency was considered one of the biggest constituencies in the representation of the governments during the said period.

On the parliamentary representation of the 1st constituency during that period which grouped the 1st, 4th, 8th, 12th and 13th in the 25 constituencies formation, MP Adnan Syed Abdul Samad, (winner of the February and December parliaments 2012, which were invalidated by the Constitutional Court, and parliament of 2013) came first in the representation of the constituency for eight legislative terms.

He was followed by MP Abdullah Yousef Al-Roumi, who represented the constituency for seven legislative terms, whereas MPs Hassan Abdullah Johar and Saleh Ahmad Ashour, (winner of the February and December parliaments 2012, both were invalidated by the Constitutional Court and his membership in the 2013 parliament) represented the constituency for six legislative terms, followed by Hussein Ali Al-Qallaf, (winner in the February and December 2012) that was invalidated by the constitutional Court) and Salem Abdullah Al-Hammad and Mikhled Rashid Al-Azmi, represented the constituency in five legislative terms.

Then came Nasser Abdulaziz Sarkhou, Abdulmohsen Al-Madaj, Ahmed Abdul Mohsen Al-Mulaifi, Salah Khorshid, Abdul Wahid Al-Awadhi, Hussein Al-Huraiti and Dr Yousef Al-Zalzaleh, (winner of December 2012 parliament that was invalidated by the Constitutional Court) represented the constituency for three legislative terms.

Two terms
After that, Khaled Al-Jumaian, yaqoub  Mohammed Hayati, Dr Ahmad Al-Rubie, Abbas Al-Khudhari, Jamal Al-Kanderi, Ahmad Lari, (member in the invalidated February parliament), Faisal, Al-Duwaisan (winner of the invalidated February and December 2012 parliament) and 2013 parliament, represented the constituency for two legislative terms.
MPs Faisal Al-Qathibi, Bader Al-Mudhaf, Ahmed Al-Tukhaim, Esa Al-Mazidi, Murdhi Al-Uthainah, Khaled Al-Wasmi, Naser Al-Rowdhan, Abdullah Al-Nafifi, Rashed Al-Juwaisri, Ali Al-Baghli, Ismael Al-Shatti, Hmoud Al-Ruqba, Jasem Al-Mudhaf, Abdulmohsen Jamal, Ahmad AL-Shuhomi and Dr Masouma Al-Mubarak (winner in the invalidated December 2012 parliament, Mohammad Hasan Al-Kanderi (member in the invalidated February 2012 parliament), Essa Ahmad Al-Kanderi, Mubarak Salem Al-Harees, Abdullah Al-Turaiji, Kamil Al-Awadhi, Mohammad Murwee  and Abdelhameed Dashti (member in the 2013 parliament following invalidation of membership of Al-Mubarak by the Constitutional Court, all represented the constituency for one legislative term.

The parliamentary life in Kuwait had witnessed an unprecedented move in 2012 when the parliament of February was invalidated by the Constitutional Court, thus, invalidating membership of Usama Al-Shaheen, Adel Al-Damkhi, Abdullah Al-Turaiji and Abdulhameed Dashti.

In December 2012 parliament, memberships of MPs Kamil Al-Awadhi, Nawaf Al-Fuzai, Khaled Al-Shatti and Abdulhameed Dashti were invalidated by the Constitutional Court.

Ministerial appointments
The first constituency, according to the current division of constituencies, was the highest in terms of ministerial appointments since 1981 till the last government formation standing at 12 out of 31 elected ministers. The cabinet of 1981, Issa Mohammed Al-Mazeedi held a portfolio of the Ministry of Communications, Khaled Al-Jumaian held the portfolio of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in the government line-up for 1985.

With the return of parliamentary life in 1992, Dr Ahmed Al-Rubei held portfolio of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education in the government line-up for 1992 while Ali Al-Baghli was appointed Minister of Oil followed by Abdulmohsen Al-Madaj.

Jassem Abdullah Al-Mudhaf was appointed Minister of Commerce and Industry in the government formation in 1996, while Hamoud Abdullah Al-Roqba held the portfolio of Ministry of Electricity and Water and the Ministry of Public Works in the government line-up for 1998.

In the cabinet line-up of 2001, Salah Abdulredha Khorshed took over the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, followed by Dr Yousef Al-Zalzaleh in February 2006. Abdulwahid Al-Awadhi was minister of State for Housing Affairs in 2007 and then Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs. Hussein Al-Hurairi was Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in 2008 and 2009. In August 2013, Esa Al-Kanderi was appointed Minister of Communications and in 2014 he was appointed along with this ministry the State Ministry for Municipality Affairs. – KUNA

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Hopefuls call to plug deficit, but not at citizens’ expense

KUWAIT: Candidates standing in the Nov 26 general election called on the government to take necessary measures to tackle the growing budget deficit, but without undermining the standard of living of Kuwaiti citizens. The economic issue, especially government decisions and future plans to raise the prices of services and fuel, topped the agendas of the candidates, who warned the government that touching the income of citizens is a “red line” that must not be crossed.
Former MP Askar Al-Enezi, bidding for re-election, warned the government against “taking measures that undermine the income of Kuwaiti citizens because this is a red line”, adding that in the wake of the sharp drop in oil prices, “the government should have alternative solutions and treatments that rationalize spending and stop squandering of public funds”.

Enezi said that any government decision to raise prices or impose charges on citizens will be strongly confronted by the next National Assembly. Enezi was referring to the government’s decision to raise petrol prices and reported plans to further reduce public subsidies and impose various types of taxation in a bid to boost non-oil revenues to finance the budget deficit.

Former MP Roudhan Al-Roudhan said the decision to hike petrol prices was wrong and the government should have cut spending, starting from the top bureaucrats. Former Islamist MP Hamad Al-Matar said Kuwait is passing through a highly delicate period because of total dependence on oil as the only source of income, adding that the country needs comprehensive reforms.

Matar said the sharp decline in oil prices and the rising cost of its production as time goes by means that the country has reached a critical stage, which requires swift economic reforms to safeguard the interests of the future generations. He said that resolving the economic crisis cannot be made at the cost of citizens, especially low-income people, but through halting the severe squandering of public funds, valued at several billion dinars.

Matar called for working out a timetable for diversifying sources of income and for reducing dependence on oil. He charged that rampant corruption in various parts of the government only worsens the economic crisis, adding that the next Assembly should be prepared to confront corruption.

Meanwhile, the administrative court yesterday looked into several cases of candidates who were barred by the election authorities to contest the parliamentary polls. The court postponed two cases for today and referred two others to another court. The court has already ruled to allow 15 candidates to run in the polls, out of 47 hopefuls barred by the election authorities either because they had been previously handed verdicts by courts or for not completing their nomination papers.

Those reinstated include former MPs Safa Al-Hashem and Abdulhameed Dashti, in addition to Sheikh Malek Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, the only ruling family member in the race. The government has already challenged these rulings at the court of appeals. Such cases must be resolved before the election.

By B Izzak

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KUWAIT: Saudi authorities arrested a man accused of making the explosive belt that was used in a terrorist attack at the Al-Sadeq Mosque in Kuwait last year.

The man was arrested at a checkpoint when he raised suspicions after he tried to escape. He was arrested along with another fugitive following a brief chase, then transported to a maximum security prison, said sources with knowledge of the case.

Saudi and Kuwaiti authorities are currently coordinating with regards to the suspect’s extradition to Kuwait for trial, the sources said. — Al-Shahed

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KUWAIT: Hawally police arrested two Indian nationals in Nugra for possession of alcohol. The two men were caught with 15 bottles of liquor, and one of them was found in violation of the residency law. Both were sent to concerned authorities.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

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KUWAIT: An official at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) stationed at the Pakistan Embassy in Kuwait here has been caught embezzling funds.

The man has reportedly gone into hiding after being accused of embezzling Rs 8.2 million from 2010-12. His visa has been cancelled and passport taken in custody of the Pakistan Embassy.

A case against the accused has been registered by Pakistan Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) and a team has been dispatched to arrest him, reported GeoTv in Pakistan.

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KUWAIT: Well-informed official sources strongly denied that the ruling family held a meeting during which it agreed on appointing former foreign minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Sabah as the prime minister in the next Cabinet. “All this is hearsay, baseless social media stories, analyses or wishes,” the sources said, noting that the selection of the prime minister is the right of His Highness the Amir alone.

The sources stressed that His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah will remain in office, and that this had been agreed upon prior to dissolving the parliament. “Sheikh Jaber has started a development plan and new projects and will remain in office to complete them,” added the sources, noting that he succeeded in resolving the housing and state budget problems and this is enough to keep him in office.

In addition, the sources explained that the ruling family meeting is usually dedicated to discussing general issues, latest developments and family members’ affairs. “No decisions are made because running the state is in the hand of HH the Amir, the government and constitutional bodies,” the sources reiterated, noting that the meeting was just a regular family meeting.

350 inspectors
Acting manpower authority director Abdullah Al-Motoutah said investing in human resources is one of Kuwait’s priorities and the state is keen on respecting international agreements about providing a healthy environment and protecting workers from occupational hazards and diseases.  Motoutah added that 350 inspectors had been deployed in various governorates to ensure law 6/2010 pertaining laborers’ protection and compensating them for job-related injuries is fully put into practice.

Joint purchase
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Shemali said the GCC project of joint purchase of basic goods was facing some obstacles and that some studies warned that mass purchases would lead to price increases. In a statement made to the Saudi Eqtisadiya newspaper, Shemali said the move might overlap with the private sector’s role. He added that a recommendation was made to the ministerial committee meeting the following week to discuss the issue. Separately, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry finalized a draft bill for restructuring and liquidating commercial establishments and submitted it to the fatwa and legislation department after it was reviewed by Minister Yousef Al-Ali.

By A Saleh

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KUWAIT: Real estate price in Kuwait have remarkably plummeted due to the continuing dip in international oil prices, a commerce official said yesterday. Speaking to reporters while opening Kuwait International Real Estate Fair held on November 7-12, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Abdullah Al-Enezi said the fall in property prices is a good opportunity for purchasing.

He believed that Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) has led to a drop in real estate prices. He added that his ministry has set up integrated governmental centers at fairs, consisting of Kuwait Municipality and the ministries of commerce and justice, with a view to looking into all questions and matters bearing on violations.

The Kuwait International Real Estate Fair attracted 60 international real estate, investment and financial firms which are expected to offer around 250 property projects in 15 countries. — KUNA

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KUWAIT: Up to 43 MPs represented the second constituency in 12 assemblies between 1981 and 2013. The constituency is marked as number one in terms of recurrent win of parliament seats by same figures, compared with the other constituencies. Khalaf Al-Dumaitheer is on top of the list of recurrently elected MPs in this constituency that comprises sub-divisions two, three, five, six and 18, according to the 25-constituency system-occupying the seat in 10 subsequent legislative terms, including the annulled 2012 parliament. Second was Jassem the late Al-Kharafi, who was elected for eight consecutive terms. Meshari Al-Anjeri and Ahmad Baqer won the seat in six terms in a row.

Those who maintained the parliamentary membership for four consecutive terms were Mohammad Al-Saqer (including the anulled 2012 parliament), Mohammad Al-Mutair and Marzouq Al-Ghanim (including the anulled 2012 parliament). Ali Al-Rashed served for five legislative terms (including the anulled 2013 parliament and his resignation of the 2013 parliament).

Of the three consecutive terms record were Abdulaziz Al-Mutawaa, Abdullah Al-Nibari, Meshari Al-Osaimi, Rashed Al-Hebaidah and Abdulwahab Al-Haroun.  Khaled Bin Issa and Jumaan Al-Hirbish also served same number (including the anulled 2012 parliament).

Successive terms
In category of winning seats in two successive terms, were Jassem Al-Saqer, Abdulmohsen Jamal, Homoud Al-Roumi, Sabah Bou-Shiba, Hamad Al-Jo’an, Ahmad Al-Nassar and Fahad Al-Khennah. In the single-term category: Mohammad Al-Rushaid, Mohammad Al-Bader, Abdurrahman Al-Ghuneim, Jassem Al-Qutami, Abdullah Al-Aradah, Duaij Al-Shemmari, Abdullatif Al-Ameeri, Mohammad Al-Abduljader, Salwa Al-Jassar, Adnan Al-Mutawaa, Abdurrahman Al-Anjeri, Riyadh Al-Adsani, Rakan Al-Nisf, Adel Al-Kharafi, Hamad Al-Harshani, Oudah Al-Ruweiee, Abdurrahman Al-Jeeran, Khalil Al-Saleh Ahmad Lari and Ahmad Al-Qudheebi. Former MPs Al-Ameeri, Al-Mutawaa, Al-Anjeri, Al-Adsani, Al-Kharafi, Al-Harshani, Al-Jeeran and Al-Saleh all had seats in the annulled 2012 parliament.

Elected MPs in this constituency have a record of occupying the chairmanship post of the parliament. Jassem Al-Kharafi served as speaker of the National Assembly for five terms; 1999, 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2009. Ali Al-Rashed was speaker of the annulled 2012 parliament, while Marzouq Al-Ghanim was speaker of the 2013 parliament.

Cabinet
As to MPs’ representation in cabinets, the proportion is low, amounting to only four since 1981. MPs of this constituency did not have any ministerial portfolio in the cabinet formations in 1981, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.  However, Jassem Al-Kharafi served as minister of finance and economy in the 1985 cabinet.

Following restoration of “the parliamentary life” in 1992, Meshari Al-Anjeri took over the ministry of justice and administrative affairs. Ahmad Baqer was named as minister of justice, awqaf and Islamic affairs in 2001. He also served as minister of justice in 2003. After a cabinet reshuffle in 2005, he also served, in addition to his post, as minister of state for municipal affairs. In the 2011 line-up, Ali Al-Rashed was appointed minister of state for cabinet affairs. – KUNA

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KUWAIT: Candidates running for the 2016 parliamentary elections seek with all means to lure voters including the latest integrated and sophisticated advertising and media tools. Such combination of media and advertising means, according to media professors at Kuwait University, includes usage of traditional tools such as radio, television and newspapers, in addition to the modern techniques such as using the Internet, posters and the social media outlets, not to forget the face-to-face contact with the voters.

All available options
Media Professor at Kuwait University Dr Mahmoud Al-Hashemi said that many candidates use the latest technological advertising means and specialized companies to run their electoral campaigns. He added that such combination of traditional and latest campaigning tools make the voter decide whether this candidate will be able to fulfill his or her promises.
Hashemi noted that studies have proven that the well-prepared advertisements can play a big role in directing the voter to go ahead and cast his ballot for a specific candidate, calling for adhering to the law in terms of setting up advertisements which must be rational. He also called on the candidates to address the entire community and not for a certain group of affiliation, saying the candidate represents the whole society.

Emotional appeals
Dr Fawaz Al-Ajmi, another media professor, said that emotional persuasion plays a big role in directing voters’ convictions, followed by the intellectual and the gestures the candidate uses to disseminate his or her message to the voters. He added that many candidates have no time to substantiate their message to the voters, however, instead they tend to resort to direct contact with the voters and take part in media programs, besides using the various social media tools.

Getting the message out
Dr Khaled Al-Qahs, also a media professor at Kuwait University said that the ideal electoral campaign for any candidate must include usage of media tools besides the traditional ones in order to reach a big portion of the sought voters. He added that there are some candidates who do not have adequate money to take advantage of such tools but that does not mean he or she must stop, rather, he or she should focus on the best feasible means to get his or her message across to the voters. He also urged candidates to personally contact their voters through paying visits to their diwaniyas, saying that direct contact is an essential mean in the Kuwaiti society.  – KUNA

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‘Bedoon issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible’

KUWAIT: Fourth constituency candidate Nayef Al-Sour registers for the upcoming elections.

KUWAIT: According to Nayef Al-Sour Al-Mutairi, a candidate running from the fourth constituency, the most urgent issues Kuwaitis face are housing, withdrawal of citizenships and economic problems, all of which need strict legislations. Sour was a member of the Municipal Council before he resigned to contest the National Assembly elections. He was the head of the Farwaniya committee and rapporteur of the Jahra committee in the council.

In an exclusive interview with Kuwait Times, Sour said the bedoon issue is a humanitarian one that needs to be resolved as soon as possible to give stateless people due rights. “Many of them deserve the honor of Kuwaiti citizenship,” he stressed, adding that he disapproves of the DNA law because some fatwas prohibit it, while His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has given instructions to amend it.

Overburdened
Kuwait Times: What is the reason behind your decision to run for the elections?
Nayef Al-Sour: Citizens are overburdened; there is a lack of seriousness in resolving many problems and the fact that the coming parliament needs an infusion of fresh blood to achieve the best for the country.

KT: What are the main issues in your electoral program?
Sour: The most urgent issues for citizens include housing, withdrawal of citizenships and economic reforms, which all need strict legislations to be resolved.

KT: What do you think of the previous parliament?
Sour: My opinion about the previous parliament matches what many observers and critics have been saying – during its tenure, citizens suffered the most as a result of its unstudied decisions.

KT: How do you view the participation of the opposition in this election?
Sour: Running for parliamentary elections is not restricted to certain groups or people. Whoever sees himself fit and worthwhile to make achievements can run in the elections without resorting to unjustified conflicts.

KT: Do you think any women will make it to the coming parliament?
Sour: Compared to the number of male candidates, the number of female candidates in these elections is relatively low, and I do not think any of them will make it to the coming parliament.

KT: What percentage of change do you expect in the new parliament?
Sour: There will surely be some change in the coming parliament, and this is clear from the fact that many former MPs are running. However, I expect turnover will not be more than 50 percent.

KT: What percentage of participation do you expect?
Sour: I expect a higher turnout compared to the previous elections. I fact, I expect more than 60 percent of voters to take part because people are aware of the significance of their participation.

Program
KT: What is the basis of your electoral program?
Sour: It is based on various issues of great concern for citizens, such as the housing problem that had been the focus of my career in the municipal council and resulted in allocating many lands to build new cities to the north, in addition to the economic issue and withdrawal of citizenships.

KT: Some previous MPs made promises they could not keep. What do you think of that?
Sour: No parliament is devoid of broken or false promises, and this ought to be taken into consideration by candidates before making any statements. They should not make hasty remarks, especially if the matter is of concern to a segment of citizens.

KT: Is the bedoon issue on your electoral program?
Sour: The bedoon issue is a humanitarian one that needs to be resolved as soon as possible to give stateless people due rights, because many of them have made considerable sacrifices for Kuwait, including being martyred or taken as POWs during the Iraqi invasion in 1990. Many of them deserve the honor of Kuwaiti citizenship.

KT: What do you think of the DNA law?
Sour: I totally disapprove of it, because many fatwas have been issued by sheikhs prohibiting it. In addition, HH the Amir has called for amending the law.

KT: What is your view about writing off loans?
Sour: Kuwaiti citizens deserve to have their loans written off and not be overburdened. It is also a must to reward those who did not take out any bank loans.

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KUWAIT: The executive list of the law to increase electricity and water tariffs will be ready within weeks as the Ministry of Electricity and Water plans to release it before the law becomes effective on May 22, 2017, minister Ahmad Al-Jassar said.

Medical tests
Making appointments for expatriate workers’ medical tests necessary for visa transactions will soon be available online through the Ministry of Health’s website, Undersecretary Assistant for Public Health Affairs Dr Majida Al-Qattan announced. The service will also allow rescheduling older date and auto update of test results at the Interior Ministry’s website, she added. — Al-Anbaa

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Reform initiative also calls for change in voting system

KUWAIT: A group of leading personalities that include former ministers and lawmakers, calling itself the Reform and National Consensus Initiative Group, yesterday launched a political reconciliation initiative to end the deterioration in the country’s affairs. The initiative called on “competing members of the ruling family and other leading figures” to stop interfering in the election through “political money” and other means that could influence the outcome of the parliamentary polls, allowing them to ensure the success of their “candidates” in the election.

The initiative did not provide further details, but there have been increasing accusations that some influential figures, in a bid to influence the outcome of the polls to serve their interests, have pumped millions of dinars into the process. Allegations of vote-buying and other forms of bribery and corruption have been repeatedly made, but very few people have been sent to court over such claims.

The group consists of 20 personalities representing various political schools of thought and includes people like former justice minister and deputy speaker Meshari Al-Anjari, veteran politician and former minister Yousef Al-Nasef, former minister and MP Abdulwahab Al-Haroun, former minister Abdulwahab Al-Wazzan and several other dignitaries.

The initiative also called on the next Assembly and government to review the one-vote voting system, which was unilaterally introduced by the government in late 2012. The initiative said the outcome of the single-vote system led to social fragmentation on sectarian, family and tribal bases, which is incapable of building true national unity. The current election is being held on the basis of the single-vote system for the third time in a row. The first such election was held in Dec 2012, but the Assembly was dissolved in June by the constitutional court.

The second one-vote polls were held in July 2013 and it elected the Assembly that was dissolved last month after three years in office, following a dispute between MPs and the government over hiking petrol prices. The group said that they believe that dissolving the Assembly came to end a period that was marred by shortcomings and an incapable Assembly and government, and their failure to face domestic and external challenges.

The group also appealed to the political leadership and to various sides to rescue the country from a state of deterioration that it has fallen into. The initiative called on the government to firmly curb those who violate the law among the election candidates, crack down on bribery and corruption and stop illegal appointments in ministries based on influence.

It called for the election of capable and qualified people and to reject those who incite social tensions and threaten the unity of the society. It also appealed to voters to reject all those who were involved in corruption cases. The initiative called for appointing capable and qualified people from the ruling family and the society to the posts of the premier and so-called sovereign Cabinet portfolios.

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Eight people arrested for violation of labor and residency regulations.

KUWAIT: Residency detectives spotted seven women and a man in a car, whom they deemed suspicious. They were found in violation of residency law and reported absconding by their sponsors.

Security campaign
A security campaign was carried out in Nugra, where 377 persons were checked, 113 people wanted on civil cases were detained, including 44 absconders, 10 did not have IDs, eight had expired residency permits, one was arrested on drugs charges and one on suspicion of being drunk. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry announced that surprise traffic campaigns during the period from Oct 30 to Nov 5 resulted in issuing 41,945 citations, 1,408 vehicles were impounded, 44 persons detained and 11 expats sent for deportation for driving without a license.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al- Humoud Al-Sabah is pictured with officials during a tour at Abdullah Al-Khalifa stadium. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Sports in the country will be seeing a huge leap filled with great achievements in the foreseeable future, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said yesterday. The Minister made this remark, to the press, following a tour he took to newly constructed sports establishments of Abdullah Al-Khalifa stadium and Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah complex for indoor sports.

Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud pointed out that these newly sports venues have been built in accordance to international standards to meet the country’s goals to improve sports and provide athletes with all necessary needs to help them excel in their fields.

He added that Sheikh Saad Al-Abduallah complex is considered a “grand” sporting venue that consists of three major buildings: one for multipurpose stadium that could seat 5,000 people; the second for Basketball and the third for volleyball of which each could fit in 1,000 spectators. The minister pointed out that the construction of the complex will be finished in the first quarter of 2017.

The minister was accompanied during the tour by chairman of Public Authority for Sport (PAS) Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour Al-Sabah and his vice chairman Sheikh Humoud Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Both officials said that PAS is keen on communication with all technical and advisory channels to complete these sports establishment in a timely fashion. – KUNA

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minster of State for Development and Planning Hind Al-Subaih will to preside the fifth meeting of the supreme family council due to be held next week to discuss several topics on its agenda such as the council’s strategy, the role of marriage guidance centers and a bill on psychological consultancy.

Subaih added that the family council had been established in 2006 and that its roles have been activated recently. She also noted that the council  members include minister of information and minster of state for youth affairs, health minister, minister of justice, Awqaf and Islamic affairs, minister of education and higher education in addition some experts in child and family affairs.

Subaih also noted that there was a study to establish addiction treatment centers to rehabilitate addicts, which would ultimately help protect Kuwaiti families. She also highlighted a plan to open social protection centers for children to receive ones suffering from abuse and physical violence.

Fish released in Gulf
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) yesterday released a new batch of black sea bream young fish it had farmed into the Arabian Gulf waters off Mohammed Al-Ahmed Marine Base shores in the presence of  the marine forces commander, Admiral Khaled Ahmed Al-Kandari. The process is aimed at enriching national fish resources.

Teachers to be reassigned
MOE’s assistant undersecretary for public education Fatima Al-Kandari said that teaching staff schedules would be reviewed in various educational areas in order to achieve balance through transferring some teachers  amongst schools, if necessary.  Speaking about the tablet devices, Al-Kandary said that grade students would receive them soon and that school administrations would start retrieving tablets from students in Grades 11 and 12 by Thursday to update content and subject some to maintenance as per the contracts signed with the providing companies.

Municipality courts foreign investors
Kuwait Municipality’s Director Ahmed Al-Manfouhi said that the municipality aims to encourage foreign and local investors. He said that practical steps had been taken to allow foreign ownership in Kuwait as well as allowing foreign businesses to open branches in Kuwait without the requirement of having a local agent. He added that the Municipality had already received some international inquiries about investment opportunities in Kuwait. Responding to  a question about bureaucracy obstacles, Al-Manfouhi promised that a new legislation would be passed soon allowing foreigners ownership and that the state property management department  would attend the next meeting to discuss this issue.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

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Kuwait Times

Aseri focuses on civil law, youth, women’s rights

KUWAIT: First constituency candidate Dr Ghadeer Aseri speaks to Kuwait Times. — Photos by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT: Dr Ghadeer Aseri is a candidate from the first constituency, running in the elections for the first time. Social policy and education reform motivated her to stand. “I thought that I could best improve our community from the parliament, which is the legislative power, as the society can be changed by changing the laws. We should have laws that respect people. I want to give more chances to voters to have more options to choose from,” Aseri told Kuwait Times.
Aseri has three major issues in her sight that she wants to work on if she enters parliament: Changing the civil law, youth and women’s rights.

Education
“I aim to resolve the problems of young people by improving education and changing policies. I can change the community through education and also change the attitude of individuals. I have long-term plans, as I don’t aim to effect change in just the four years when I will be an MP, but to set a law to change the community over the next 20 or 30 years.

“This is related to civil law. Some people think the current civil law is suitable for the present time, but I think I can change the attitudes of generations through education. I aim to change the curriculum, the system of education and the quality of teachers. Many Kuwaitis enroll their children in private schools, as they believe they should invest in their children. They realize how important education is for the future of their kids. Today, children play with tablets and smartphones, which are considered as their toys. This is globalization and we have to move with it, and I will fix some policies to match this development.

“Today they let the student study, sit for the exam and get full marks, which is the traditional system of rote learning. We don’t have a curriculum that makes the student ask questions. We should have a curriculum based on the philosophy of asking ‘why’. We should have a curriculum of an international level. I noticed there is a problem in our curriculum. When our students – who are excellent and achieved full marks – travel to study in the UK, for instance, they only manage to attain a level of 80 percent in tests there. This means there is something wrong in our curriculum, and it needs to be developed. We have to scale up by 130 or 150 percent to be on the same level of Western universities.

“I also aim to establish more public universities in Kuwait. These should provide professional diplomas, and people of any age should be allowed to study there. It would be great if there were education loans too. I intend to set policies that allow citizens to continue their studies and systematically learn, and not just obtain a degree. I want to add ethics to the curriculum, so children will learn from an early age to avoid many bad behaviors, such as ‘wasta’.

“I believe that even if not all students in the class adopt what they are taught in school, the majority will do so. And they will bring about a revolution in the future to fight the bad behaviors that they learn in the home, school or work environments. Take my example – I don’t use wasta as I was taught at universities in the UK and US that this is not ethical.

“The quality of teachers is one of the basic pillars that needs to be changed. The government employs many teachers from abroad, but they are not of the satisfactory quality we need. Many of them speak with accents that our kids can’t understand. Also, as they don’t have the best qualifications, students have to take private tuitions. If we invest a little more to bring in native English teachers, for instance, they won’t have to pay for extra tuitions.”

Women’s rights
“The Kuwaiti woman is oppressed and I aim to change this and let her get her rights to be equal with men. She should get the same financial rights including rent allowance, child allowance, equal salary, housing loan and other rights. A woman is not allowed to issue official documents for her children, and I want to correct this.”

Expats
“I am against any kind of discrimination. I lived in the UK and I got the same medical treatment as British citizens, so I know that expats here should receive same the treatment, especially in healthcare and education. The existence of expats here is not a problem – we need them as we don’t have Kuwaitis to work in all fields. Maybe we need a modification in their numbers.
“I guess that changes in education will solve a great part of this problem. Our problem is in the system. In the past, some professions were not deemed acceptable by Kuwaitis, such as makeup artists, designers and others, while today many Kuwaitis run their own small businesses and even serve customers.”

Conclusion
“Citizens should vote to avoid letting the wrong candidates reach the parliament. The same thing happened in the past when many people refrained from voting, and the MPs who won approved bad laws such as gender discrimination in education. I’m even worried that they may demand shutting down the newly-opened opera house, claiming it is haram. People will then question them, but this was the result of not voting and allowing Islamists to reach the parliament. They may also enforce the wearing of the hijab for female students, as they have now approved it for intermediate schools,” Aseri warned.

By Nawara Fattahova

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: Fifty one candidates had succeeded in representing the second constituency in the past 12 parliamentary sessions since 1981 till parliament of 2013. Among the most runners for the 2nd constituency which grouped the 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 14th in the 25 constituency formation were Ahmad Al-Saadoun who represented the constituency for nine legislative terms besides his membership in the invalidated parliament of 2012.

He was followed by Dr Naser Al-Sanea, Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, winner in the invalidated parliament of February 2012, both represented the constituency for five legislative terms, whereas Saleh Al-Fadhala who represented the constituency for five legislative terms.

Adel Al-Sarawi and Faisal Al-Mislem, winner in the invalidated February 2012 parliament, Ali Saleh Al-Omair, winner in the invalidated February and December 2102 parliaments and membership in the 2013 parliament, represented the constituency for four legislative terms.

Hmoud Al-Jabri, Jasem Menahi Al-Osaimi, Jaser Al-Rajhi, Mohammad Al-Marshad, Sami Al-Munayes, Waleed Al-Osaimi, Faisal Al-Shaya, Rowdhan Al-Rowdhan and Jamal Al-Omar represented the constituency for three legislative terms. Ahmad Al-Khateeb, Ahmad Al-Kulaib, Ali Al-Saeed and Saleh Al-Mulla represented the constituency for two legislative terms.

One term
The constituency was represented for one legislative term by Ahmad Al-Mulaifi, member in the invalidated parliament of December 2012, Mohammad Al-Adsani, Esa Al-Shaheen, Yousef Al-Ghanim and Naser Sanhat Al-Osaimi, Abdulrazaq Al-Sanea, Naser Al-Bannai, Abdulaziz Al-Adsani, Abdusallam Al-Osaimi, Bader Al-Jeean, Ahmad Al-Duaij, Ahmad Al-Rubei, Bader Al-Farsi, Basel Al-Rashed, Abdulaziz Al-Shayji, Naji Al-Abdulhadi, Aseel Al-Awadhi, Rola Dashti, Khalil Abdullah, member in the invalidated December 2012 parliament, Safa Al-Hashem, member in invalidated December 2012 parliament and member in the 2013 parliament from which she resigned, Mohammad Al-Jabri, member in the invalidated December 2012 parliament, Yaqoub Al-Sanea, member in the invalidated parliament if December 2012, Abdulkareem Al-Kanderi, who resigned from parliament of 2013, Nabil Al-Fadhl, member in the invalidated parliaments of February and December 2012 and membership in the 2013 parliament, Ali Al-Khamees, Abdullah Maayouf and Fares Al-Otaibi.

Mohammad Al-Adsani had won for four times the post of Speaker of the National Assembly in 1981 whereas Ahmad Al-Saadoun became Speaker in 1985, 1992, 1996 and the invalidated parliament of 2012. The constituency saw since 1981 six out of 31 elected ministers.

Government line-up
In the government line-up in 1992, Jasem Al-Oun became Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and in 1994 he became Minister of Communications and Minister of Electricity and Water whereas the Social Affairs and Labor ministry was given to Ahmad Al-Kulaib.

Kulaib then became Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in 1998. MPs of the constituency did not assume any ministerial post in the government line-ups for the years 1981, 1985, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008 as well as in the invalidated parliaments of February and December 2012.

Rowdhan Al-Rowdhan became Minister of Health in the first government formation in 1999 and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs in the 2nd formation in 1999. Ahmad Al-Mulaifi was appointed Minister of Education and Higher Education in 2011.
Ali Al-Omair assumed the portfolio of Ministry of Oil and State Ministry for National Assembly Affairs in January 2014 and became Minister of Public Works and State Ministry for National Assembly Affairs after resignation of Ahmad Khaled Al-Jassar. In October 2014, Yaqoub Al-Sane was appointed Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. – KUNA

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: The government has begun working on its agenda for the new parliamentary term which will start after the November 26 elections. Key issues on the agenda include economic, health, educational, security and service-related concerns in addition to some topics that might lead to an early confrontation with the opposition in the new parliament, said informed sources.

The government’s agenda would include endorsing the GCC security agreement that had been already approved by all GCC states except for Kuwait. “The government will insist on voting on this agreement that is expected to be opposed by several MPs,” said an informed source.

The government also hopes to gain approval for another attempt at reducing government sector wages through what it is labeling a ‘strategic payroll alternative.’ The plan is to equalize salaries between civil service sector employees holding similar degrees, including those working in the strategic oil sector. Government efforts to cut special privileges resulted in a three day strike by employees of state owned energy companies in April of this year. The strike halved Kuwait’s oil output, bringing it down from 2.8 million barrels per day to 1.1 million by day two.

By A Saleh

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