Grilling-powerful democratic tool in Kuwait

Kuwait, a tiny oil exporting country, classified as one of the richest country on the face of earth is truly democratic rather too democratic which I am not exaggerating and eventually it will be proved in the subsequent lines in any case. Sunday 15^th instant, one of Kuwait Parliament member named Faisal Al-Muslim belonging to opposition group has submitted a request to the Parliament Speaker to grill Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad A-Sabah on two counts. Two days later, Wednesday 18^th, two more grilling requests were filed with the parliament whereby parliamentarians Musallam Al-Barrak and Mubarak Al-Waalan are questioning Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Khaled Al-Sabah and Public Works & Municipalities Minister Dr Fadhel Al-Saffar respectively. Before the dust could subside a bit, if not settled down, another grilling came up and it was from lawmaker Dr. Daifullah Buramiya who on Thursday the 20^th sharpened his sword against First Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. In nut shell, four grilling have been submitted in six days gap, not a bad political freedom score from any prospective. Newspapers have also mentioned that at least one more minister is too to be brought to docks but the parliamentarian, who is targeting Finance Minister, has lately decided to wait and see who wins and who looses in these four grilling and then act accordingly.

It goes without saying that Kuwait is ruled by none but royal Sabah family in other words all the powers are vested with Sabah family but nevertheless the beauty is that Sabah family does recognize the importance of other Kuwaitis as well. In cabinet, which is the chief executive body of the country, out of total fifteen ministers, there had always been eleven to twelve ministers from general public including even one Deputy Prime Minister proves that the rulers do share the authority with others in any case. Kuwait parliament is yet another the most glaring example of sharing powers between the ruling royals and general masses otherwise in the very first instance either there had no popularly elected parliament or it had been nothing beyond a rubber stamp parliament at the most but the ground reality is that none of the two situations prevail here. Three out of four grilling, impute Sabahs, is the most burning question to be hones but nevertheless it does prove that both, the rulers and the ruled, are quite sincere and judicious in their respective spectrums. Kuwait constitution bestows full freedom on its citizen without any discrimination about the clan they belong to or the area they reside in. All Kuwaitis are equal and none supersedes others in any manner. The constitution does not slap a bar and or limit as to who can move a grill request and against whom and the practice is in vogue for quite many years and different member of parliaments have exercised their such inborn right against many previous ministers both from ruling family & others alike over the period of years. Incidentally, the premier who is the first cousin of the present Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, has already faced four such grilling motions since he took over in 2006.

Without prejudice to both the parties, I would like to thrash out the present four requests of grilling but purely from academic angle and, therefore, it should not be twisted, interpreted and painted otherwise whatsoever. Kuwait, in absence of any political party, is ruled by royal Sabah family and the three top slots of Amir, Crown Price and Prime Minister are be manned by Sabah and Sabah only and thus from this point of view grilling against PM is a direct blow to the very power corridor of the country which is not a joke under any circumstances from any angle whatsoever. It proves in quite crystal clear terms that in Kuwait any MP can question even PM without any fear and fright which is quite exceptional particularly in eastern countries unless one willingly wants to play with fire. PM, on the other hand, in response to the challenge posed by the parliamentarian, has very openly accepted the questioning without raising his eyebrows or winkle on face itself proves how truly democratic country is. MP Faisal Al Muslim alleges that PM has issued a cheque amounting to KD 200,000 to a former MP which he construes to be political bribe from such a top official of the country and hence it is being questioned. He also questions Prime Minister about various financial irregularities being committed in his PM Secretariat which unluckily had already been pointed out by Audit Bureau in year 2008.

As regards other three interpellations, it be elucidated that Interior Minister HE Sheikh Jaber Khaled Al Sabah is being asked by lawmaker Musallam Al-Barrak to answer as to why and how he misled the parliament when he was grilled in the house this June. MP maintains that the Interior Minister has twisted and falsified the facts before the august parliament hence it gives the right to the legislative member to ask the minister for clarification. His colleague parliamentarian Mubarak Al-Walaan charges Public Works and Municipalities Minister on account of financial and administrative lapses committed in the two ministries he is heading. In the fourth and the last grilling, Dr Daifullah Buramiya, opposition member of parliament dares to allege that First Deputy Prime Minister cum Defence Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah is accountable and responsible to answer to four different allegations ranging from  financial and administrative irregularities to death of people due to an explosion etc.

Jassem Al-Khorafi, being Speaker of Kuwait Parliament has very categorically professed that each member of the parliament enjoys inborn right to question any one on any ground. He also maintained that all those who have been accused of have full liberties to defend themselves when the grilling motions are tabled in the parliament on Tuesday 8^th December, first working day after festive Eid ul Adha break. Who wins and who looses in the battle on the floor of the elected parliament is yet to be seen but, nevertheless, it has already generated extra heat in the country which, truly speaking, is experiencing such like turbulence for quite many months if not years? Under the given situation, now the local political arena in particular and the regional in general, is not only very much explosive but awfully slippery too and none knows with authority and authenticity as to which of the two will eventually earn laurels, or for that matter, who tastes dust in the political grappling. The parliamentarians who have singled out themselves by raising their fingers and standing up against PM and or ministers are very much vehemently grinding their teeth to bitterly bite their preys at the right opportune while the defendants, on the other hand, are quite naturally busy in collecting evidence to prove their innocence and be honourably absolved of the charges hurled against them.

The crux is that Kuwait parliament is exceptionally so very strong in its truest literal and practical sense and resultantly it can rightly boast of owning daring and unflinching souls who without caring about the repercussions and fall out, risk their reputation to swords but for betterment of the country and not otherwise. Needless to mention, most of the constitutions of the countries confer almost same authority to their citizens like Kuwait and hence Kuwait is not an exception to the established practice but nevertheless who dares and where is a trillion dollar question. History books are full of the instances where assembly members whether in east, west, north and south, were none but ‘yes’ irrespective of the prefix (Mr, Mrs, Miss) they carried but absolutely it is other way round so far as Kuwait is concerned.

Isn’t there a loud message in quite unquestionable terms and words from Kuwaiti MPs to the rest of MPs of the world including my beloved compatriots in Pakistan that they must not compromise on principles and have the guts and the strength to say black as black without caring least of the repercussion? Hats off for both the rulers and the lawmakers of Kuwait and I very sincerely wish that peace and tranquillity must always continue prevailing in Kuwait and its flag always flutters atop amongst communities of nations.ere

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