A Kuwaiti opposition politician made an official request to parliament Saturday to interrogate a cabinet minister over negligence charges, reported the Kuwaiti News Agency (KUNA).
Hussein Al Qallaf sent the parliament a 113-page request accusing minister of justice and Islamic affairs, Saad al-Hashel, of four counts of negligence and failure to carry out his duties.
The request follows one in December against Adel al-Subaih, minister of electricity and water, who survived a no-confidence vote, said the agency.
Kuwait's government is due to hold its weekly meeting on Sunday, and will be watched closely to see whether it voices clear and full support for the minister as it did for al-Subaih.
"If the claims are correct, then this is a very big and serious questioning," said liberal MP, Abdullah Al Naibari, in reference to one of al-Qallaf's accusations, dealing with the state's handling of a case involving a new-born baby allegedly abandoned and found dead.
Al-Qallaf is also accusing the minister of failure to tackle alleged corruption in his department, incorrect implementation of laws and lack of seriousness in dealing with thieves of public funds, with emphasis on several contracts involving the defense ministry, said KUNA.
Parliament launched wide investigations after the 1991 Gulf War into the state's management of huge public funds, often accusing the government of corruption and allowing some to walk free after defrauding the state, said the Gulf News.
The government has strongly denied the charges and stressed the full independence of the judiciary in tackling the alleged embezzlement, added the news service -- Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
