PM presents policy statement to House

AMMAN – Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit on Sunday presented lawmakers with his government’s action plan and requested a vote of confidence accordingly.

During a House meeting, Bakhit outlined government’s “action plan and programme” to implement the guidelines listed in His Majesty King Abdullah’s Letter of Designation.

According to Article 54 of the Constitution, every newly formed Cabinet must within a month of its formation, in cases where the Lower House is in session, place before the deputies a policy statement and request a vote of confidence on the basis of the said statement.

“The government approaches your esteemed Chamber with a request for confidence, based on its detailed action plan, which outlines its plans and vision to translate into facts on the ground the guidelines listed in the Letter of Designation in line with the Constitution,” he told lawmakers.

Addressing lawmakers yesterday, Bakhit said that his government, inspired by a “strong will of reform and courage of revision” will move ahead with its action plan to address the challenges facing the country in the next stages in complete cooperation and coordination with the legislative authority.

The premier indicated that Jordan was the first country in the region to launch a reform process, saying that his government will proceed with a well defined approach to bring about the envisioned reform.

The premier said that boosting the role of the political parties and public participation in the decision-making process are top priorities of his government, which will embark on a comprehensive nationwide dialogue with all segments of the society to reach at a “consensus” over legislation governing all political activities, including the elections, municipal, public gatherings and decentralisation laws.

“The government will work on drafting a new elections law that boosts the role of political parties and can lead to the formation of elected Cabinets,” he noted.

Bakhit also said that out of a strong belief in the vital role of the professional associations in the reform process, the government “is on the way to establish a teachers association”.

Concerning media, the premier explained that the Cabinet will improve all laws governing the work of media, including the Press and Publications Law, “out of the belief in the independent and professional role of the media and its role in the reform process”.

The premier said that as part of efforts to combat all forms of corruption, the government will boost the monitoring role of the Audit Bureau over public institutions, adding that the government will refer to the House regular reports on the Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigations into corruption cases.

On economic reform, Bakhit explained that as a result of the repercussions of the global financial crisis and the “surrounding political turbulence” on the economy, “the government will not allow the exploitation of the current difficult times to serve personal interests at the expense of citizens and their future”.

The premier explained that in light of these new developments, it has become clear that the local market cannot be left uncontrolled and unregulated as the free market economy requires nor can it be regulated by state-controlled economy.

“There should be an adoption of the social market policies that guarantee free competition among traders and at the same time protect consumers and prevent manipulations,” he told lawmakers.

Bakhit said that the government will employ strict monitoring measures over markets to curb unjustified hikes in the prices of basic commodities through the Supplies and Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

“The prices of oil derivatives should be always stable and affordable to all citizens, and thus the government has plans to issue an update of fuel prices on a quarterly rather than monthly basis,” Bakhit said.

The premier explained that the reform process requires restructuring of public institutions, pledging that his government will provide lawmakers in two months time with a complete study of the status of the public independent agencies and the possibility of merging them.

On the government’s agendas to improve education, Bakhit said that the Cabinet will continue reviewing curricula.

He said that the government will boost extracurricular activities of students with the aim of boosting the culture of dialogue and voluntary work among them and enhancing the values of loyalty and tolerance.

Bakhit explained that the government is committed to extending financial support to universities to help them overcome their financial troubles.

The premier also indicated that the government will move ahead with plans to carry out the Kingdom’s mega-projects to achieve energy and water security, including the nuclear energy project and the Red-Dead Project.

Supporting the agriculture sector will be a top priority of the government, Bakhit said, adding that the government, out of a conviction that the sector is of strategic importance as it contributes immensely to economic growth, will support farmers and improve agricultural resources.

Bakhit also said that supporting the Jordan Armed Forces and security bodies will be of prime significance for his Cabinet, which will be committed to providing these agencies with all necessary needs in their efforts to maintain the stability and security of the country.

Regarding Palestinian refugees, the government “will stand against any… plot against the rights of its Jordanian citizens who have the right of return and will be a supporter of Palestinian refugees in their quest to restore their historical rights”.

Lawmakers will start today deliberations over the government’s action plan and will take the vote of confidence on Wednesday.