Kuwait’s MP demands details on cash withdrawals

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In his question to Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Barrak demanded a list of all cash withdrawals from the central bank to all government bodies and agencies from April 1, 2006, just two months after the prime minister was appointed, until now.


He also demanded the value and date of each withdrawal, the employees who made the withdrawal for each government agency and the names of beneficiaries, MPs included, whom the money was paid to and for what reason, demanding supporting evidence for each transaction.

The question comes amid a major controversy over the reported illegal deposits of around KD25 million into the accounts of two MPs which were linked to political motives, specifically grillings in the National Assembly.

The deposits were reportedly made in cash and through transfers within a short period of time which aroused suspicions by local bank officials. The report prompted MPs to call for a swift investigation as they prepare to call for an emergency parliamentary session to debate the issue.

The government has made a small reference to the issue by saying that the central bank has not received any notification from the public prosecution or local banks about any illegal deposits.

Barrak yesterday accused the government of being involved in the issue, adding that the silence of the governor of the central bank raises many question marks. Bloggers and Twitter users have even mentioned the names of the two MPs who received the funds.

Islamist MP Jamaan Al-Harbash said the Reform and Development Bloc will prepare a request to call for an emergency parliamentary session to debate the issue and called on MPs to sign the request.

At least 33 MPs are required to sign for the session to be held. Harbash warned that if the government foils the session or does not attend, the grilling of the prime minister will be inevitable.

Assembly speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi meanwhile said on Sunday that the assembly cannot do anything because it does not have any document or evidence regarding the case. But several opposition MPs strongly criticized Khorafi for issuing such a statement, saying that the assembly must act quickly to clear the reputation of its members.

In another development, the interior ministry yesterday denied a report in Al-Qabas newspaper that unnamed MPs have mediated to secure the release of a number of people arrested on charges of drugs trafficking.

A statement by the ministry insisted that no MPs have intervened in such cases and such mediations cannot take place in the interior ministry especially in cases related to drugs trafficking.


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