Delays in processing legislation and proposals are undermining Parliament’s role and stalling reforms, an MP has claimed.
Jalal Al Mahfoodh made the remarks yesterday as Parliament approved deadline extensions for its five permanent committees, despite the final legislative term ending in May ahead of national elections later this year.
He cautioned that postponing bills at such a critical stage risks leaving dozens of laws ‘trapped in drawers’, effectively passing unresolved legislation on to the next Parliament.
“Continuous postponement, especially in the final session of the legislative term, strikes at the very heart of parliamentary work,” Mr Al Mahfoodh said.
“It negatively affects citizens’ interests and weakens the entire legislative process.”
He expressed frustration that several draft laws submitted by MPs have seen little to no progress.
“How long will these laws be delayed?” he asked. “We are on the final stretch, yet committees continue to request postponements without justification.”
Mr Al Mahfoodh noted that some of the stalled items were originally proposed by Parliament, studied by committees, referred to the government, and later returned as government-drafted bills – meaning official feedback had already been incorporated.
“In such cases, there is no logical reason for further delay,” he said.
“These bills should have been sent directly back to Parliament for approval.”
He also criticised the Shura Council for what he described as selective delays, pointing to a royal decree amending Parliament’s internal regulations that was rejected by 36 MPs more than two and a half years ago but still remains unaddressed by the upper chamber.
Mr Al Mahfoodh stressed the need to protect the integrity of the legislative authority and move forward with key laws without delay.
Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam said only complete legislation and proposals that are studied, with feedback from relevant authorities, are brought to Parliament. However, he agreed that things needed to be sped up.
“Committee chairmen complain that MPs have been missing meetings, so if matters are to be passed, there must be punctuality,” said Mr Al Musallam. “This is not to say that delays are excusable.”
Mr Al Musallam was backed by first vice-chairman MP Abdulnabi Salman and second vice-chairman MP Ahmed Qarata, who stressed that they were pushing for more topics to be included in Parliament’s agenda.
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