Lawmakers, clerics launch amnesty campaign

KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah yesterday visited the Audit Bureau as part of his efforts to beef up the fight against corruption. He said that his visit comes in implementation of HH the Amir’s directives to fight corruption and protect public funds. He held talks with head of the Audit Bureau Faisal Al-Shaye and his deputy Abdulaziz Al-Saraawi.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled commended the vital role of the bureau in safeguarding public funds. He said he agreed with the head of the bureau to strengthen cooperation in the coming period and follow up all issues that constitute a flagrant violation against public funds, saying it will be accorded special importance. The premier, who has already visited the judicial council and the National Assembly before forming his first Cabinet, said he will visit the tenders committee and the legal and legislative department in a bid to strengthen their respective roles.

Opposition MP Abdulkarim Al-Kundari called on the prime minister to fight corruption with deeds, saying that if he strikes against one corrupt figure, many will fall, and “if you protect one reformist, all the people will be with you”. The lawmaker added that a government that has not punished anyone for corruption, “but rather those who fought corruption were punished”, will not be able to convince the people to file complaints against corrupt figures.

Meanwhile, a number of opposition MPs and clerics launched a campaign titled “we want a comprehensive pardon” and issued a document asking people to sign it. The campaign was launched at a public rally held by MP Mohammad Al-Mutair, who placed the document at his residence for people to sign. The document appeals to the government and HH the Amir to issue a pardon against a number of opposition activists and former MPs who were handed heavy jail sentences for storming the Assembly building or for writing comments deemed offensive on social media. Several MPs have urged the new prime minister to begin his new term in office by agreeing to an amnesty law and work for national reconciliation.

By B Izzak