ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015 LOCAL 10 Aiwa ‘Apartments too small’ Mixed reaction on fines for hanging laundry in balcony By Cinatra Fernandes Arab Times Staff I n this week’s Arab times online poll, readers shared their views on the issue of new fines for those hanging laundry in their apartment balconies. A majority of the respondents felt that this phenomenon was result of apartment rooms being too small. A new campaign undertaken by the Municipality that will fine those who hang their laundry from balconies made the news a few days ago and garnered both positive and negative reactions from the public. The Municipality has stated that the aim of this campaign is to improve upon the look of Kuwait’s residential areas. 57% of voters felt that they could only hang their clothes in the balconies as the rooms are too small. “Go to any new building in Salmiya and all you can fit into a bedroom nowadays is a small bed and a small cupboard, and maybe you will have room enough for one person to walk around the room. I think this is the reason people have to use the balcony space to dry their laundry and some even use it for storage. When I first came to Kuwait in the 90s, I remember the flats being very spacious, now they are like matchboxes”, a reader shared. 15% of voters felt that a hue and cry would be made for a few days and then the matter would be forgotten. “Like a lot of rules and directives in Kuwait, this will come and go. I don’t think it is important enough to actually matter in the long run” a voter shared. Another respondent pointed out that flats in most of the newer buildings do not have balconies. “So in a few years, when all the old ones are demolished and replaced by new buildings, this rule will automatically become obsolete”, he said. 8% of voters agreed that drying clothes in the balcony harms the beauty of the building and another 8% pointed out that other countries also have similar beautification laws. 6% of respondents felt that dish antennas and storage items should be fined too. “I think laws like this are necessary when people do not have any sense of propriety and hang their undergarments for the world to see. It is unsightly and I hope these fines will be enforced rigidly. No one can deny that this will greatly improve the appearance of our surroundings”, a reader pointed out. 4% pointed out that laundry prices were exorbitant in Kuwait. “It is very hard to dry clothes indoors in the winter and it is not possible for families to use a laundry service because they are too expensive”, an expatriate homemaker shared. “I think the Municipality should make it a priority to curb house rents; only then can we afford to use laundry services”, another voter shared. Other residents and workers felt that they were being penalised for minor faults. “Every time I read the newspaper, there is some new way I can get fined. Living in Kuwait has become a cat and mouse game for expatriates.” KFSD photo The meeting in progress. 13th Firefighter Day on March 5: Al-Mekrad Deputy Director General for Firefighting and Human Resources Affairs at Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) Brigadier Khalid Al-Mekrad said the 13th Firefighter Day will be held from March 5-7 under auspices of State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah. Al-Mekrad revealed this in a press statement after a meeting he chaired inside the KFSD headquarters recently with the attendance of representatives from the Military Fire Service Command, Firefighting and Rescue Unit, National Guard Directorate, Security and Safety Unit at Kuwait Oil Company and Equate Petrochemical Company. He said the event will coincide with the World Day for Civil Protection which is celebrated on March 1 every year. He stated the event is important to all firefighters because it is a special day for them. He indicated the event will remind them of sacrifices and efforts exerted by firemen in serving the nation. Ex-MPs, mediamen, citizens protest closure of ‘Al-Watan’ Political decision, says ex-minister Al-Rashed PNS ‘Tariq’ in Gulf waters Trip from Feb 1-5 Pakistan Navy ship ‘Tariq’ due KUWAIT CITY, Jan 28: Pakistan Naval Ship “TARIQ” will be visiting Kuwait on a goodwill visit from Feb 1 to 5, 2015. The ship is named after a gallant Muslim conqueror Tariq Bin Ziyad. His conquest of Gibralter led to the extension of the Muslim rule in Europe. The life of Tariq Bin Ziyad is full of achievements, which are a source of great inspiration to Muslims all over the world; sailors of Pakistan Navy are no exception. They take great pride in serving onboard their ship that has been named after one of the greatest leaders in Islamic history. PNS TARIQ (D-181), the Ex-HMS AMBUSCADE is a general purpose Frigate. She was the first of the Type 21 Frigates built by Yarrows Ltd of Glasgow and launched on Jan 17, 1973. It was commissioned as Ex HMS AMBUSCADE into the Royal Navy on Sept 5, 1975 and was the seventh ship in the Royal Navy to hold this name. Her career has encompassed all aspects of a warship’s life from exercises to guard ship duties and from peacetime visits to the full heat war in Falkland Islands. This ship was commissioned as a PNS TARIQ on July 28, 1993 at Daven Port, play mouth (UK). This is third ship in Pakistan Navy to hold this name. The first was HMPS TARIQ, which was inherited from Royal Indian Navy soon after independence in 1947. The second was a gearing class Destroyer, which was commissioned on Sept 9, 1978, after rendering 12 years of glorious service, the ship was decommissioned and handed over to Maritime Security Agency in 1990. PNS Tariq has undergone a major modification in regard to her weapons and sensors. Major modernization of the ship was carried out indigenously by replacing the obsolete Command Systems, weapon and sensors. The Commanding Officer of PNS TARIQ Captain Vaqar Muhammad TI (M) PN was commissioned in Pakistan Navy on July 1, 1992. He is a Communication specialist, qualified Air War Course from Air War College PAF and Master of Science in System Engineering from Naval Post-Graduates School, Monterey, USA. He has been assigned on numerous operational, field and staff appointments during his 22 year of commissioned service. News in Brief Indian attempts suicide: The Farwaniya police recently saved the life of an Indian who attempted to commit suicide by jumping from the roof of his company in Al-Riqqa, reports Al-Kuwaitiah daily. A security source said police rushed to the company and convinced the Indian to give up the idea, calmed him down and took him to the Police Station. According to the security sources the youth wanted to end his life after learning his girlfriend had married another person. ❑ ❑ ❑ Police officer threatened: A Kuwaiti reportedly threatened to kill a police officer who had gone to the house of the Kuwaiti with a court verdict which ordered the man to vacate the house in Sabah Al-Salem, reports Al-Shahed daily. The citizen then reportedly threatened the Chief Officer at the Sabah Al-Salem Police Station. The man then resisted arrest and escaped from the scene. A case has been registered. ❑ ❑ ❑ ‘Haris’ robbed: Police are looking for two people for impersonating police and stealing KD 1,400 from Pakistani caretaker of a building in Fahaheel, reports Al-Anba daily. The impersonators claimed they had a warrant to search his house for drugs. The men then forced the caretaker to open his room and escaped with the money. ❑ ❑ ❑ Wanted man held: Police have arrested a Kuwaiti who was wanted by law for failure to pay worth KD 74,000 debt to a local bank, reports Al-Anba daily. At the time of arrest he was in possession of drugs, says security source. The same source said the suspect was driving along a street off Al-Sha’ab AlBahari and he promoted suspicion of patrolmen on duty. Police checked the records and found he was wanted by law. Police have seized from him a quantity of marijuana, narcotic pills and a cigarette rolled with hashish. ❑ ❑ ❑ Bedoun blames sons: A bedoun (retired personnel from the Interior Ministry) has filed a complaint with the Andalus Police Station accusing his sons of forcing him to sign a promissory note for KD 50,000 under threat, reports Al-Anba daily. The bedoun said he had a dispute with his wife and he had lent her KD 500 about a month ago. On the day of the incident she allegedly called him to her house to return his money and as soon as he entered he saw his sons waiting for him. KUWAIT CITY, Jan 28: Former MPs, well-known media personalities, journalists and citizens gathered at the Kuwait Journalist Association (KJA) to declare their solidarity for the freedoms, particularly press freedom and to protest the closure of a prominent newspaper (the Al-Watan Arabic daily) by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, reports Al-Anba daily. All those who gathered at the KJA objected to the suppression of freedoms and putting restrictions on the press. The speakers stressed the closure was a big mistake on the part of the government saying it was done to serve political ends. They also urged the decision-makers to put issues on the right track and hold accountable the wrongdoers. Former minister and MP Ali AlRashed said he is sad because the freedom of the press in Kuwait is violated in 2015.He stressed the decision to close Al-Watan Arabic newspaper is a ‘political decision’ and has nothing to do with the application of the law by the Ministry. He added that both Alam Alyawm and Al-Watan Arabic daily are closed simply because they represent the opposition. He added: “Thank God we are not a revolutionary people and do not think about changing the system because it is the stability, security and safety to us, but we are not satisfied with the performance of the government.” For his part, representative of the Kuwait Journalists Association Faisal Qanaei expressed his sadness at the closure of the newspaper and the withdrawal of its license and the closure of other newspaper and satellite TV channel. He expressed his happiness also about this rally of solidarity under the roof of the Kuwait Journalists Association which represents the freedom. Former minister Ahmad Al-Mulaifi said the defense of freedom of the press is an integral part of our principles because the free press is responsible to disclose corruption and abuses. He pointed out the Lebanese civil war broke out following the disclosure of corruption and schemes which were hatched against the nation via the Zionist enemy. He added, democracy stands on two pillars — the parties and the free press. Former MP Safa Al-Hashem said, the Al-Watan daily is the newspaper of the nation, the ruling family and the Authority and its closure tarnishes the image of the ruling family. Former Member of Parliament and representative of the Islamic Constitutional Movement lawyer Mohammad Al-Dalal said the case is bigger than the subject of the AlWatan daily. “Irrespective whether we agree or not with it because this is natural in the political arena, but the behavior of the executive authority is not natural which seeks the acquisition of all authorities, including the fourth authority (the press). We’re ready to help OFWs: Dado ‘Don’t panic amid crackdown plans’ By Michelle Fe Santiago Arab Times Staff KUWAIT CITY, Jan 28: “Don’t panic. Remain calm and please refrain from spreading unnecessary posts on Facebook that scare people,” urged Philippine Charge d’ Affaires Atty Raul H Dado as he sought everyone’s cooperation in disseminating the correct information after an alleged “news advisory” coming from the embassy went viral on the social media about the planned crackdown on illegal residents. The Ministry of Interior announced recently the biggest crackdown that it will launch against more than 100,000 residence violators in Kuwait prompting overstaying expatriates including undocumented Filipino workers to panic. According to the MoI, there are around 6,700 overstaying Filipinos in Kuwait. “Please don’t scare your fellow Filipinos. Please don’t post advisories without consulting us. We have already met with the Kuwaiti authorities and our team is ready to assist all those undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who want to go home before the planned massive crackdown is launched,” explained Dado. He reminded all Filipinos to follow the laws of the host country and go home if their residence visa has expired. “We are ready to help all undocumented (OFWs) go home by expe- Atty Raul H Dado diting their travel documents and endorsing them to the Kuwait Immigration authorities. Our mass repatriation is ongoing following the procedures set by the MoI. Those who want to go home may signify their intention and be included in the mass repatriation,” outlined Dado. He announced that those undocumented OFWs who want to go home may go to the Philippine Embassy Extension Office in Hateen area to list down their names and apply for travel documents. Its location is at Block 2, Street 217, Villa 42, Hateen area. Those undocumented OFWs who want to be repatriated may also call the Embassy’s Repatriation Hotline 98005115. Meanwhile, the embassy’s other hotlines are 65002612 (Assistance to Nationals Unit) and 69902264 (Rescue & Medical Emergency). “Please do not hesitate to come to the embassy, submit your names and apply for travel documents. With the help of the Kuwaiti authorities, we will try our best to fast track your repatriation. Always remember that the only thing to fear is fear itself,” he assured. Dado disclosed that the Philippine Embassy will be issuing a detailed advisory for its nationals over the weekend to clarify matters on the planned crackdown and disseminate repatriation guidelines. Almost 700 liquor bottles found with Asian duo By Mishal Al-Sanousi Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, Jan 28: Security operatives discovered a liquor factory in Sabah Al-Ahmad city run by an Asian expatriate, and retrieved 420 bottles of liquor ready for sale plus four drums and a box of leaven, two gas cylinders, 13 boxes of empty bottles, and 10 additional packs of bottles. The operation was conducted with the guidance of acting Director General of Ahmadi Security Directorate Brigadier Ali Al-Mari, and with support forces headed by acting Commander of Former minister Maasouma AlMubarak said that the Kuwaiti Constitution emphasizes a set of constants, including freedoms. Speaking on behalf of the cartoonists, Abdul Salam rejected the gagging of mouth and restricting freedoms of the press, which is the pride of Kuwait and the Kuwaiti free press. ❑ ❑ ❑ Pollution denied: Deputy DirectorGeneral at the Environment Public Authority for Environment Control, Dr Mohammad Al-Ahmad denied reports about air pollution which was the talk of the town among citizens Ahmadi Port Lieutenant General Ali Baqer. The suspect was referred to the concerned authority. In another campaign by Ahmadi securitymen led by Brigadier Saleh Al-Azemi — acting Director of Operations and Patrol Department, an Asian expatriate was apprehended in Wafra area in possession of 247 bottles of liquor. They also took into custody 10 individuals who were without identification documents and 7 others for various offenses, and recovered two wanted vehicles. ❑ ❑ ❑ and residents of Fahaheel and Maidan Hawalli two days ago, reports AlSeyassah daily. A number of citizens and residents claimed they had to leave the Al-Kout Commercial Complex at 10 pm when the entire surroundings were filled with the smell of sulfur. A similar scenario happened in Maidan Hawally. However, Al-Ahmad admitted there is a certain phenomenon which he called H2S that exists in some areas, but there have been no reports from the competent authorities about gas leakage or sort of contamination in the air. ❑ ❑ ❑ Syrian nabbed: The border security police recently foiled an attempt by an unidentified Syrian to infiltrate into Iraq through the northern border, reports Al-Shahed daily. The daily added, the Syrian was attempting to escape under the cover of fog. However, he was seized and referred to the concerned authorities. Security sources said the Syrian has been referred for serious interrogation to identify his motives and affiliations especially information has been rife that some people have been attempting to infiltrate into Iraq to join DAESH. Husband arrested: The Adan police have arrested a Kuwaiti for breaking into the home of his wife and stealing KD 14,000, her passport, Civil ID and the work ID, reports AlRai daily. A security source the woman in her complaint to the police said she had a dispute with her husband. On the day of the incident he broke into her home armed with a knife and threatened to stab her and forced her to open the safe, stole the contents, assaulted her and escaped. The complainant has submitted a medical certificate showing bruises on her body.