Kuwaiti Deputy Emir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah urged the need for government and parliament unity in tackling corruption, following the leak of videos that he deemed were an "encroachment on people's freedoms and privacy".
In a televised address to the public, Sheikh Nawaf said “no offender will escape punishment.” Members of the Royal Family are a "part of the Kuwaiti people, and the same laws apply to them. Whoever makes a mistake bears responsibility for that mistake," he said. "No one is above the law."
The social media revelations, he went on to say, are "manifestations of meddling and chaos in the nation, particularly in relation to the recent leaks that affect some employees in our security institutions."
This matter has been an "attempt by some to cause disharmony and stir up strife," he underlined, according to the Kuwait news agency (KUNA).
According to the leaks, security officials had spied on the social media accounts of prominent figures, including lawmakers and journalists. The revelation prompted uproar in Kuwait.
The issue "in its entirety and all of its details" is under investigation, Sheikh Nawaf added.
He expressed full confidence in the efforts of the security institution and judiciary in delivering a "just punishment" for any wrongdoing.
"This requires everyone to stop the spread of such harmful material, which only the enemies of the nation will benefit from, and those who seek to achieve their own interests and goals at the expense of our national security," he said.
Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, had himself, repeatedly warned of the "harmful nature" of some social media reports, he said, noting their "destructive" effects on Kuwaiti society.
"We will not allow a misguided few to drag our country towards division and chaos in the name of false freedom," warned Sheihk Nawaf.
However, he highlighted that his "belief in freedom of expression is firm and our commitment to the democratic approach is unquestionable." The country has been bound from "generation after generation" by an "honest model of national consensus... governed by the constitution, the rule of law and public interest," he added.
He conceded there were crucial matters and issues that needed to be resolved, "resulting from long accumulations," such as education and youth, administrative reform, the country's demography, public services and economic reform - through resolving the waste in public funds and corruption.
In addressing these issues, the Crown Prince expressed "huge confidence" in the Prime Minister and Kuwaiti people, calling on the government and parliament to take effective measures to deter corrupt officials and practices.
Sheikh Nawaf threw his support behind PM Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Hamad al-Sabah despite parliamentary demands for his resignation over the leaks and corruption.
These are "actual and grave challenges that cannot bear the luxury of procrastination and preoccupation with political wrangling, settling scores and scoring points, and deviation in the use of constitutional monitoring tools that do not achieve reform," continued the Crown Prince.
He went on to describe corruption in the country as a "devastating plague," which may lead nations to "poverty, ignorance and disease."
"We have a serious and resolute opportunity to confront this devastating danger with full determination and strength as fighting corruption is not an option, but rather a legitimate duty, a constitutional entitlement, a moral responsibility and a national project, whose responsibility everyone shares," he went to stress.
National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim said Sheikh Nawaf’s call on the government and parliament to assume their duties in these files is “necessary”, adding that the Crown Prince’s speech to the people was “firm and clear.”
He highlighted his call to combat corruption because no one is above the law, even if they were members of the Royal Family, noting that the Crown Prince will personally oversee these efforts.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry announced Sunday that an independent panel was probing the national security agency recordings that were leaked on Saturday. The leaks date back to 2018 and the National Assembly was informed of the issue on August 4.
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anas al-Saleh vowed to carry out a swift investigation in the leaks, saying: “Spying on the people’s social media accounts was a grave violation of the constitution.”
He announced the detention of the national security chief, former head of the money laundering department and several officers in the case.
