According to sources, Al-Wasmi eventually decided to withhold his decision after being told that MP Dr Faisal Al-Mislem received HH the Amir’s assurance that citizens detained for storming Al-Watan TV’s premises will be allowed a chance to explain themselves.
Al-Wasmi arrived in the Parliament with plans to submit the grilling motion he had vowed to the previous night (against HH Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah). He headed directly to his office to prepare a draft law which will be ready within 30 minutes. Two hours later, Al-Wasmi headed to the legislative committee’s office to attend an ongoing meeting. It was at that time that reports surfaced that the debutant lawmaker failed to present a work program on two subjects he had previously announced – the alleged discrimination practiced in arresting tribesmen, and bedoon (stateless) demonstrators.
A meeting took place at MP Dr Adel Al-Damkhi’s office featuring lawmakers Khalid Al-Sultan, Badr Al-Dahoum, Abdullah Al-Barghash, Falah Al-Sawagh, Shaya Al-Shaya, Abdullatif Al-Omairi, Dr Jamaan Al-Harbash, Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Mohammad Al-Kandari, Osama Al-Munawer, and Mohammad Al-Dallal – all of who are part of the 35 MPs’ alliances that form the Parliament’s majority. They discussed how to react to Al-Wasmi’s step, MP Khalid Shukhiyyer entered Al-Wasmi’s office after the latter returned. It is believed that Shukhaiyyer went there to sign his approval, according to sources who spoke to Al-Rai.
MPs meeting at Al-Damkhi’s office held a press conference to announce their reservation on Al-Wasmi’s decision. During the press conference, he was seen exiting his office to attend the public funds protection committee meeting where he reportedly met with MPs Musallam Al-Barrak, Mohammad Hayef and Mubarak Al-Waalan. Shortly afterwards, Al-Barrak exited the meeting and was heard telling reporters that “no grilling motions will be filed.” He made his way to MP Khalid Al-Sultan’s office.
Two minutes later, Al-Wasmi was seen carrying documents and walking towards the Parliament’s general secretariat office, which gave reporters the impression he would file a grilling motion. He, instead, reached Al-Sultan’s office where he stayed until the end of working hours. Sources familiar with discussions held at Al-Sultan’s office indicate that MPs Al-Barrak and Hayef – who later joined the meeting as well – played key roles in convincing Al-Wasmi to postpone his plans.
