Need transparency on fiscal health status: MP

Manama : Bahraini parliamentarians are “crippled” as they are unaware of the financial status of the country, an MP claimed yesterday. Demanding Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa to “open-up” about the economic and financial challenges the Kingdom is witnessing, MP Isa Al Kooheji called for more transparency about financial status of Bahrain.

The parliamentarian urged the Government to follow the footsteps of Saudi Arabia in revealing economic strategies and publishing it in the local media. Al Kooheji commented on the replies of the government to 20 proposals that were reviewed yesterday saying, “All the ministries in their replies to the proposals are demanding one thing, which is funding.”

“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Until this day we haven’t heard any comment from Finance Minister on the economic situation of the country. All we know is that financial conditions aren’t at their best, but no explanation was provided by the minister and we are kept in the dark. As representatives we don’t know what the economic situation is. If everything is clarified, we wouldn’t submit proposals that aren’t achievable,” Al Kooheji commented. He also mentioned the upcoming Value Added Tax (VAT) that will be implemented next year stating that most citizens aren’t aware of what it is.

“VAT affects all citizens, poor and rich. Why didn’t the minister explain the effects of implementing these taxes,” the MP questioned.

The legislator said that MPs are accused by citizens of being “useless” as they haven’t achieved any of their demands. “How would the representatives do anything if they’re not aware whether there are sufficient funds or not to implement projects,” Al Kooheji added. As reported earlier, Al Kooheji had submitted various proposals in a bid to tackle the tough financial situations of the country and to increase the State’s revenues. The former head of the council’s Financial and Economic Affairs Committee had demanded to suspend MPs’ salaries and to add it to the coffers.