MANAMA, 21 April 2004 — Finance Minister Abdullah Seif, embroiled in alleged pension fund fraud, yesterday became the first Bahraini minister to face questions from members of Parliament since the house was restored two years ago, an MP said.
“There was a positive atmosphere at the session despite the differences of view,” said MP Ali Ahmed Abdullah.
Five issues were raised with the minister, including why he had failed to prevent the irregularities and bonuses paid to him as chairman of the civil servants’ pension fund, Abdullah said.
Eighteen MPs attended the services committee meeting which will resume today.
It was the first time Bahrain’s MPs have grilled a minister since the Gulf state turned into a constitutional monarchy in 2002 amid democratic reform.
The Parliament was dissolved in 1975 after it clashed with the government over a state security law.
Abdullah said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul Aziz Al-Fadhel also attended the committee meeting but did not speak under a deal between government and a parliamentary inquiry.
The inquiry is looking at irregularities at two pension funds and loans to finance a number of projects.
The government has ordered a company building the Bahrain Exhibition Center to immediately repay a loan it received from the funds and told the National Hotel Company to repay the interest on another loan.
MPs in January demanded the right to question Seif, Labor and Social Affairs Minister Majid Al-Alawi, who chairs the board of a social security fund, as well as his predecessor, Abdul Nabi Al-Shoala, who is today a minister without portfolio.
