To Kuwaiti Politicians: Let Us Rest

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
This commentary was published in The Arab Times on 07/06/2011

The minority politicians sometimes feel they are absolutely right without any argument, so they go beyond the limits to impose their points of view on the majority in a dictatorial manner. These politicians start by raising doubt on others, up to the extent of accusing them of treachery and corruption. However, a closer look at such allegations reveals the accusers themselves have committed the same misdeeds.

This is the situation of the troublesome lawmakers in our society. They have legalized forbidden actions to impose their ideas on the majority. The latter had long made a statement but the troublemakers have not accepted the outcome; hence, they continue to foment political crisis.

Most lawmakers support the government in the interest of the populace, but they also oppose the stance of the executive whenever necessary. Nonetheless, those who consider themselves the descendants of the 19th century revolutionary socialist German Friedrich Engels, clones of Montesquieu - a political thinker who had greatly influenced the French revolution, or students of former Cuban President Fidel Castro, intend to drag the lawmakers, ministers and even government employees into an unnecessary unrest. This method has failed, along with the shady Arab deals. Those who flex their muscles like adolescents and threaten the stability of the nation should understand the situation.

The defamation campaign launched recently by the embattled lawmakers, who have been gathering signatures for the so-called ‘National Salvation Statement’ under the leadership of MP Musallam Al-Barrak, is a violation of the Constitution and interference in the jurisdiction of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Not content with the signature campaign, these lawmakers have also called for the resignation of the majority. In other words, they have been using minority dictatorial tactics to incite political wrangling in government institutions; disregarding the Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression through appropriate channels.

The troublesome minority seems oblivious to the fact that two, three or even 10 lawmakers cannot completely disregard the rights of others. They have been pointing accusatory fingers at other people but they are wrong, because the majority is willing to cooperate with the government to achieve the development goals of the country. The minority hurts the entire society and whoever prevents harm becomes a sinner. They have not realized that nobody is ready to listen to their speeches again. Most of the citizens have turned them into a laughing stock due to their childish actions. They behave contrary to their claim of abiding by the Constitution, the latest of such acts is the document that Al-Barrak and his associates are promoting and this clearly reflects their penchant for political aggrandizement.

The issue requires logic in line with the natural principles that guide parliamentary activities rather than unconstitutional stubbornness and provocation on the street. They have violated the trust of those who elected them as their representatives in the National Assembly. Whoever refuses to follow the Constitution and logic should step down, instead of demanding the resignation of the majority for refusal to move towards the wrong path, which is really a serious crime.

Ahmed Al-Jarallah is the editor-in-chief of The Arab Times and of the Kuwaity daily Assyassah