MPs against government decision to hike gasoline prices

Bahrain Parliament weekly session concluded early yesterday as 18 MPs didn’t show up at the Council of Representatives building in Gudaibiya to convey their rejection to the “Government’s solo-taken decision of increasing gasoline prices.”

Parliament Chairman Ahmed Al Mulla first suspended the session for over an hour and after intensive discussions outside the Parliament dome, the speaker came back and decided to conclude the session.

The MPs’ step came as a rejecting stance to the government’s latest decision to hike gasoline prices, without consulting the lawmakers.

MP Mohammed Al Maarifi told DT News yesterday that decision to boycott the session yesterday was a direct message to the government to reconsider their decisions of disregarding MPs inputs.

He claimed that the government has no clear strategy to overcome the existing international economic and financial crisis.

“The government’s policies in regards to conquer the financial crisis are mainly harming citizens. There were no compensations to citizens and the decision came with no prior notices,” Al Maarifi added.

MP Ahmed Qarata also boycotted yesterday’s session. He said, “Our decision to boycott the session was to prove to the government that cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities is important. Increasing gasoline prices by 60 per cent wasn’t just a simple decision. They should’ve discussed and studied with us the consequences before taking such a vital decision.”

On the other hand, few of the MPs who attended the session criticised the boycotting MPs stances, stating “MPs should benefit of their parliamentary jurisdictions to overcome the difficulties faced by the people of Bahrain and hold the government accountable for any errors.”

Youth and Sports Parliamentary Committee Head Ghazi Al Rahma was among the protesting MPs against the boycotting move, stating, “Boycotting sessions wouldn’t assist in achieving anything before the government. It’s halting the legislative work and the government would simply disregard the council.”

He called the MPs to “preserve the fruits of His Majesty the King’s reforming project, which resulted in the creation of the council of the people of Bahrain representatives’ council.”

Sharing a similar view, the council’s Financial and Economic Affairs Committee Deputy Chairman Jalal Kadhem questioned, “How could MPs quit the session, where they have all the jurisdictions to hold the government accountable for its actions?”

The MP said “the council of representatives should meet the aspirations of citizens and correct the current situations in the country,” adding that the questioning of energy ministers is in place and a decision would be taken in regards to the recent gasoline price hike decision.