New parliament members form Al Bahrain

Nine of the newly elected members of parliament joined hands to create a new parliamentary bloc Al Bahrain (The Bahrain). The new bloc will be led by Ahmed Al Sa’ati.Al Bahrain comprises, in addition to Al Sa’ati, Hassan Eid Bokhamas, the second in command, Dr Jamal Saleh, who will be the spokesperson, Shaikh Jawad Bu Hussain, Dr Sumayya Jowder, Sawsan Taqawi, Ali Al Derazi, Abbas Al Ma’adi and Ahmed Qarratah.Al Sa’ati told the Bahrain News Agency on the sidelines of the press conference that another three more newly elected members were expected to join the bloc – thereby strengthening it.The agenda of the bloc, he said, was focused on the economy of the country. “We intend to spare no effort in improving the livelihood of the people of Bahrain. Generating more employment opportunities and increasing the incomes of Bahrainis is our key effort,” said the head of the bloc.It is important to win back the confidence of the GCC investor as well as the local investor, he added. The priority, he said, is to ensure that the recommendations of the National Dialogue are carried forward. The reforms initiated by His Majesty the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa need to be pushed forward, he added. Once the powers bestowed on the parliament are utilized, more can be bestowed, helping the nation move ahead with its political reform, he said.The parliament needs to be empowered to involve in government activity, including the monitoring of proposal passed by them till it becomes a law. “We also have to legislate on many social and economic isues,” added Al Sa’ati.Among the other important initiatives of the new members will be the display of a new phase of government – one that is expected to help regain the reputation of the nation built over the past eight years, said the bloc head.“We only have three years and much to be done to instill confidence in the people that the new representatives they have elected mean business for them,” said Al Sa’ati.Later, addressing a press conference at the Gulf Hotel convention centre, he added that the bloc was not in any way affiliated to any external body either socially or politically or otherwise.Asked about the role of the two lady members, Dr Sumayya Al Jowder and Sawsan Taqawi, Bokamal, the deputy chief of the bloc said that their names were already forwarded to the committees for a lead role. “We need to see what the committees have to say,” he told the BNA.Fielding a question on the role the bloc would play in parliament, members of the bloc said that they would take a strong opposition stand when it came to matters of administrative and financial corruption and would stoutly defend the government in areas of sovereignity and the will of the people.