Jordan Times
Friday, December 2, 2005
MPs' priorities security
bill, reform
By Mohammad Ben Hussein
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday
opened the third session of the 14th Parliament with a four-pronged bidding for
legislation on anti-terrorism, regions development, the National Agenda and a
framework for social solidarity services.
In a shorter than usual Speech from the Throne, the King also called on the
legislature to act responsibly when dealing with the government.
Topping the speech was the anti-terrorism law, proposed in the wake of the
triple suicide bombings at three Amman hotels on November 9.
The King said the law would be part of “a security strategy” designed to deal
with “these changed circumstances.”
“This requires the drafting of legislation that serves this strategy to ensure
that Jordan will remain as it always has been: An oasis of security and
stability and a haven for freedom where human rights are respected,” King
Abdullah told the full Chamber of senators and deputies (see
full text of Speech from the Throne).
The King reiterated that “development cannot proceed and our goals cannot be
realised unless and until security, stability and the rule of the law are
ensured.”
The government of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit is expected to submit an
anti-terrorism draft law to the Parliament later this month.
The law will set harsh penalties for anyone who condones or supports acts of
terror. It will grant authorities the power to hold any terror suspect for
questioning indefinitely, and to issue penalties to those who seek to endanger
the lives and property of citizens, whether inside or outside the country.
Noting the country's achievements in development, the King said more involvement
of the people in this arena had become necessary. To that end he said the Royal
Committee on Regions development would submit its findings to Parliament.
In addition, he said, the National Agenda, prepared by a multifaceted steering
committee would be put before Parliament and the government for deliberation.
The committees on the regions and the National Agenda were both set up in
February.
The Steering Committee for National Agenda completed its 2,500-page document of
recommendations designed to set political, economic and social policy for the
next 10 years.
Its chairman, then-deputy prime minister Marwan Muasher, presented the document
to King Abdullah on November 23. The regions commission, headed by Senate
President Zeid Rifai, submitted its report on the same day, recommending more
involvement of Jordanians all over the Kingdom in the decision-making process
related to the development of their areas and help citizens in various regions
elect their own councils.
The two sets of recommendations place a substantial workload on the
legislature's agenda.
The King's call that “Parliament deal with the government with a sense of
responsibility” followed a second ordinary session that was rife with battles,
accusations and petitions, which brought about a ministerial resignation and an
early reshuffle of the Badran government.
Many observers believe the 14th Parliament has been an obstacle to modernisation.
In his speech to a newly-appointed Senate and a House that last week was
rumoured to be on its way to being dissolved, King Abdullah said: “We are at a
new threshold of the reform and modernisation march, and confronting the
challenges imposed upon us by difficult region circumstances requires each and
every one of us to rise to the challenge of this moment.”
His call for a body responsible for social solidarity seeks to eliminate waste
through duplication or unnecessary overlapping of services.
“There must be a single body that constitutes a term of reference and serves as
an umbrella for social solidarity that works within a clear plan within an
institutional framework and that is accountable.”
Following the King's speech, members of the Lower House of Parliament reelected
Abdul Hadi Majali as House speaker.
Majali received 68 votes over his opponent Deputy Saad Hayel Srour, who won 38
votes.
The Lower House of Parliament comprises 110 elected deputies and the Senate 55
appointed members.