MP: Parliament will solve Bahrain's problems

Bahrain, a country where people can voice their grievances and have it redressed through their own voice in the parliament and that without resorting to any violence. It is important to give the peaceful route a chance before looking at any violence, said the newly-elected Member of Parliament from Hidd, Samir Al Khadim. Elected with 52.81 per cent votes (1739 votes), the former member of the Muharraq Municipal Council, told in his first interview to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) that ensuring the security of all the people of Bahrain would be top of the national priority. “We have to ensure that the main road and other paths need to be kept free for business to go on. Destruction of infrastructure, carrying the grouse to the streets with Molotovs and other IEDs is not the accepted method,” he added. Nobody in Bahrain parliament will decline the genuine needs of its citizens. “There is always a patient ear to every genuine need and that ought to be brought before the parliament,” Al Khadim told the BNA. “Ensuring safety and security to all who live in Bahrain, be they citizens or residents, is top national priority as an elected member of parliament,” he added. In addition, to the safety and security that people in Bahrain are entitled to is the issue of housemaids reneging their contracts to work elsewhere after reaching Bahrain, said Al Khadim. “It will be my priority to ensure that stringent laws are in place to ensure that the illegal movement of housemaids is stopped,” he added. If the housemaid finds the sponsor misbehaving, then the next alternative should be to repatriate the worker. If harassment can be established then the sponsor will pay for the return of the maid to where she came from. Housemaids reneging on their contract and moving to work in other houses is becoming an all too common practice that needs to be curbed, said Al Khadim. “Bahrain’s labour laws for house maids need to be reviewed,” he added. Turning to the issues of the electorate that brought him to the parliament, Al Khadim said the first priority is the opening of his doors to the people at all times. “It is important to extend a patient ear and be there for them. Never leave their needs unattended and be with them even more, sticking closely to the society,” he added. The first issue brought up has been that of electricity bills, he added. “Although the first slab is comfortable, the second slab on is considered rather steep and there is a need to relook at these rates and reduce them to manageable levels for the people,” he added. The youth of Muharraq, he said, have been requesting for universities to be set up closer home. Students from Muharraq have now to travel great distances to reach college – be it UOB or any other. “The government and private institutions need to be spoken for establishing branches of their centres of higher learning in Muharraq. This remains a key issue,” the newly elected MP said.