KUWAIT: The National Assembly’s legal and legislative affairs committee discussed yesterday a new law for the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Authority after its law was annulled by the constitutional court over procedural flaws.

The panel’s secretary MP Ahmad Al- Qudhaibi said the committee will vote on the new law on Sunday to be ready for an Assembly debate on Jan 12. He said the main amendment to the law is the inclusion of a definition on profiteering and granting the authority powers to search without a prior warrant from the public prosecution.

The authority has also been empowered under the new law to follow up cases with investigation authorities. After the constitutional court’s decision last month, the government dissolved the Anti-Corruption Authority which was established about a year ago and assumed its duties in the past few months.

But the government immediately prepared a new law to avoid the shortcomings in the previous law and sent it to the Assembly for approval. The law was scheduled to be debated on Dec 22, but the death during the session of MP Nabil Al-Fadhl forced the suspension of Assembly meetings. Justice Minister Yaqoub Al-Sane said there are no differences between the government and MPs over the new draft law, adding the new law affirms the independence of the authority and that it follows the justice ministry in small administrative affairs only.

Meanwhile, the head of the Assembly’s educational and guidance committee MP Awdah Al-Awdah said yesterday the committee held an informal meeting with Information Minister Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and ministry advisors to review the final text of the electronic crimes law. He said the two sides were in agreement over the amendments made by the committee on the government-sponsored bill and that it will be sent to the Assembly for debate and approval. Awdah said he believes the Assembly will approve the law in two rounds after discussions with the government. The law applies to electronic websites and news bulletins which do not come under the existing press law. Also, four lawmakers submitted a proposal calling on the government to give priority of employment to children of Kuwaiti women married to foreigners immediately after Kuwaiti citizens

By B Izzak