By B Izzak

KUWAIT: MP Abdulwahab Al-Essa said he received a message on Tuesday from HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, saying he totally supports the government to “work and achieve”. Based on the message, received through acting speaker Mohammad Al-Mutair, Essa said he understands that there is only one government running the country and he supports this government.

In surprising statements made on Sunday, Essa had called on the government to resign because he thought that it had lost the confidence and trust of the leadership after HH the Crown Prince said in his opening speech of the new term of the Assembly last week that he was not fully satisfied with the work of the government and the National Assembly as well.

In a separate statement, Mutair said he met with HH the Crown Prince early Tuesday and it was evident from the meeting “HH the Crown Prince’s keenness of pushing the two authorities (the government and the Assembly) for more achievement and productivity to meet the aspirations of the people”.

Mutair added “HH the Crown Prince will be fully satisfied with the performance of the two authorities when they achieve the largest number of issues that concern the nation and citizens”. Mutair said after the meeting with HH the Crown Prince, he became more convinced that this was the meaning of the speech at the Assembly’s opening session and nothing else. MP Essa also said the message he received from HH the Crown Prince means the Kuwaiti government has the support and blessing of HH the Crown Prince.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Fahad Al-Jarallah said on Tuesday cooperation with the National Assembly should continue for the service of the nation and citizens. Jarallah, in a statement, said he will meet members of the Assembly’s finance and economy committee on Thursday to discuss a government proposal to increase pensions of retirees. This proposal, he added, is at the behest of the political leadership and will be approved in the next parliamentary session once completed.

Jarallah said the government will also propose improving living conditions of public and private sector workers, and that teams from the ministry and Public Institute for Social Security are preparing the ground for these proposals. The minister also underlined the importance of economic reforms to guarantee the sustainable financial status of the state, as well as achieving justice and equality among citizens. “The government approach will encourage citizens to work in the private sector, which is a major element in the national economy,” Jarallah said.