close
No Image

Social affairs minister slams auditors at cooperative societies

KUWAIT: Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social Affairs and Family and Childhood Affairs, emphasized the need to strengthen oversight mechanisms within cooperative societies on Thursday. During a meeting with senior officials from the Cooperative Societies Control and Inspection Department, she strongly criticized the performance of financial and administrative auditors in cooperative societies, accusing them of failing to fulfill their duties. According to media reports, Al-Huwailah pointed out instances of misreporting and the overlooking of violations, stressing the need for increased accountability and professionalism.

The minister called for the enhancement of oversight practices and the efficiency of auditors to ensure quality operations within cooperatives. She reaffirmed that the law must be applied equally to all, including government officials, businesses, and employees. Al-Huwailah also mentioned potential reforms in the cooperative sector, including changes to the laws governing these societies. She raised concerns about privatization efforts, warning that this could result in control by traders.

Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah
Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah

Dr Al-Huwailah conducted an inspection tour of the department, reviewing work processes and addressing employees, reported Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). She emphasized the importance of adhering to Cabinet directives to maintain the quality of cooperative work and ensuring the presence of auditors during official working hours. The minister confirmed that regular meetings will continue to monitor performance and improve quality, and reiterated that her office remains open for suggestions and inquiries.

Anti-corruption efforts

The cooperative sector has faced corruption issues for years. In 2024, Al-Huwailah referred expat workers and former Kuwaiti members of the boards of the Abdullah Al-Mubarak and Jahra Cooperative Societies to public prosecution. This action was part of efforts to combat corruption, protect public funds, and safeguard shareholders’ rights.

In January 2025, the ministry issued a statement confirming its ongoing commitment to address corruption. The statement noted that a team formed on June 25, 2024, headed by Assistant Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Heba Al-Shammari, had received 100 reports concerning suspected corruption in the ministry’s sectors, including cooperative societies and public benefit societies under its supervision. The team has investigated these reports in collaboration with the relevant departments, providing recommendations to address the errors that led to these issues.

The rush to speculate in the stock market has created victims, and these victims are often easy targets for those who claim to be knowledgeable. This, in my view, is one of the most pressing issues in our society. People exchange information without...
By Farah AlHashem The ceasefire agreement between the Zionist entity and Hamas, brokered in January 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict that has shaped the Zionist entity’s future. Following the Oct 7 attacks, known as the “Al-A...
MORE STORIES