His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued today Royal Ordinances 58 and 59 and Royal Decrees 81 and 82 for 2014. Royal Ordinance 58 annulled the position of a minister without portfolio, previously appointed by a royal order, and relieved off the advisors who have been appointed at this rank at the Royal and Crown Prince Courts. The Royal Court Minister shall enforce the order from the date of its issuance and promulgation in the Official Gazette.
Royal Ordinance 59 set the regulations of appointing the Shura Council members. In addition to the eligibility criteria defined by the constitution and decree-law 15 for 2002, the member shall be recognised for his/her competence and honourable national stances. He/she shall be holder of a high academic qualification or have a distinguished experience in the legislation field of no less than two legislative terms.
Choosing the Shura Council members shall also take into consideration representation of all social segments without discrimination as well as appropriate representation of women and minorities. The order shall be effective the day after its promulgation in the Official Gazette.
Royal Decree 81 formed the Capital General Secretariat Board which is chaired by Mohammed Ali Ahmed Abd Ali Al Khuzai and features in its membership Mazin Ahmed Ali Al-Omran (Deputy Chairman), Ahmed Abdullah Ahmed bin Hindi Al-Menai, Iman Isa Abderazaq Al Qahtani, Dima Rasoul Abdullah Al Hadad, Saleh Taher Mohammed Taradah, Abdul Wahid Abdul Wahab Ahmed Abdullah Al Nakal, Aziza Abdulrahim Mohammed Kamal, Lamis Taqi Mohammed Al Baharna, Majdi Jassim Ahmed Al Nasheet, Dr. Maram Isa Mohammed Yousef Al Sharbati, Dr. Maha Saleh Hussain Al Shehab and Dr. Waheeb Isa Ismail Al Nasser. The new board will serve a four-year term and the decree shall be implemented by the relevant ministers from the date of its issuance.
Meanwhile, with the resignation of the Cabinet, Royal Decree 82 annulled the position of a minister without portfolio and relieved off all advisors to His Royal Highness the Prime Minister who have been appointed at this rank. The Prime Minister shall enforce the decree which takes effect on the date of its promulgation in the Official Gazette.