Manama: Veteran Shura Council member Jamal Fakhro was last night elected unopposed for a record 10th consecutive year as the first vice-chairman of the upper house of the National Assembly.
He has held the post since chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh was appointed by His Majesty King Hamad in 2006.
Meanwhile, Jameela Nasaif was last night elected unopposed as the council’s second vice-chairwoman for the second consecutive year.
Mr Al Saleh prompted laughter when he referred to the pair as his two “beauties”, the English translation of their first names.
The pair later joined Mr Al Saleh at a general-secretariat meeting to divide the remaining 37 Shura Council members among committees, based on specialisations and
preference.
Mr Al Saleh said during the council’s first session last night that legislators must co-operate with the government to secure more benefits for the public, despite the oil slump and regional
political challenges.
“There are challenges and tough measures are necessary, but people’s benefits should not be
affected – they should be improved and this requires urgent legislations and vital infrastructure projects,” he said.
“Shura Council members are here for a purpose and that’s developing the country. The task is not easy, but we want to serve the people as they have aspirations.
“Security, stability and prosperity are the three pillars that we have to base our work on and I am confident that we can achieve what is expected from us.”
Information, Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Isa Al Hammadi reiterated the government’s commitment to boosting co-operation with legislators in line with the four-year action plan for 2015-2018.
“Our co-operation will have a positive impact on the national march, boosting security and stability and promoting citizens’ welfare.
“Legislators in the previous session managed to get 11 decree laws, 19 draft laws as well as submission of four proposals to the government, which have been approved and implemented
accordingly.”
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