KUWAIT, 6 April 2005 — Kuwait’s health minister resigned yesterday ahead of a no-confidence vote in Parliament brought by 10 MPs accusing him of squandering public funds and mismanagement, the official KUNA news agency said.
The no-confidence filed against Mohammad Al-Jarallah is the second serious challenge by Parliament to the government of since Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah formed the Cabinet in July 2003.
KUNA quoted Jarallah as saying it was up to Sheikh Sabah to decide whether to accept his resignation. The 10 MPs made the no-confidence request after Jarallah faced tough grilling on Monday in Parliament.
Jarallah was questioned by Islamist MP Dhaifallah Bouramieh, who read out a long list of accusations, including deterioration of health services and squandering of public funds in medical purchases and hospital rehabilitation projects.
Jarallah has denied the charges.
“I am proud of my performance ... during my work as minister,” KUNA quoted Jarallah as saying. “But it is obvious the political climate is very negative.”
Jarallah said his critics had “factional intentions”. He did not elaborate.
Some newspapers said the MPs behind the motion were upset that no member of the powerful Awazem tribe or Shiite had been named minister in recent Cabinet changes.
Kuwait on Monday named a new finance minister to replace Mahmoud Al-Nuri, who tendered his resignation last year after he narrowly survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament.
Last week Anas Al-Reshaid was appointed new information minister two months after his predecessor quit ahead of being questioned by Islamist MPs over allowing “immoral” Western-style concerts in the country.
