MPs are set to vote on amendments that would allow them to direct 12 questions per member, during his or her term, to the Premier, Deputy Premiers and ministers, rather than one per month.
Parliament’s legislative and legal affairs committee has recommended the amendments to the 2002 Parliament Bylaws Law saying it would give them a wider insight into the work of the government despite a request for a rethink from the Cabinet and the Legalisation and Legal Opinion Commission.
“The current system of directing questions is more appropriate and is in line with the Constitution and modern legislation; the amendments would drive the questions out of purpose and put huge hurdles on the work of the executive branch (the government),” said the Cabinet in writing.
“The change will have a negative effect as it would mean Parliament would be directed away from its purely legislative and monitoring duties.
“The more the questions, the more they become ineffective rather than being concentrated and up to the point without repetition or deviation as they don’t fall in line with issues of concern.”
The commission said the new system would at least double the number of questions, which would be a burden on the government and Parliament at the same time.
“This means that instead of reviewing and debating legislations, all that scheduled would be replies to questions. This will harm the monitoring and legislative role of Parliament and will lead to negative outcomes in the progress of work, whether done by MPs or the government.”
The National Assembly, in October 2018, approved constitutional amendments that widened the scope of questions with the inclusion of the Premier and deputy premiers within MPs’ reach, and allowing Shura Council members to direct questions and get written answers without the concerned minister’s presence.
MPs are also set to vote on giving the government the go-ahead to sign on the GCC Payment System Company’s set-up and foundation terms.
The company, which has been backed by the Central Bank of Bahrain, will enable the transfer of large payments directly between member countries and settle disputes while also reducing the costs of transactions and allowing more efficient organisation.
The company would have two headquarters, in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, and would see two transfers daily.
All GCC member states have signed, except Bahrain.
MPs are also set to reject amendments to the 2015 Commercial Registrations (CRs) Law, originally proposed by the Shura Council, that would have obliged the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry, rather than the applicant, to follow up approvals related to the issue of the CR.
It would also see penalties doubled on individuals if they commit the same violation from terms in their CRs twice rather than having it doubled for a second offence, even if not related.
The Cabinet, and the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry and the commission have asked legislators to rethink the amendments on the basis they are unclear and don’t follow cohesive progression.
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