Latest news with #MohammedAlAhmed
Daily Tribune
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
MP seeks rule change to tackle ministerial delays in answering questions
For the first time since Bahrain's Parliament was formed, an MP has turned to a rarely used constitutional tool to propose a change to the council's internal rulebook. The request aims to give MPs more control when ministers miss deadlines for answering parliamentary questions. MP Mohammed Al Ahmed submitted the proposal to the Speaker, seeking to add a new clause to Article 136 of the internal rules. The change would require the Speaker to act if a minister fails to respond within the set timeframe or within an agreed extension. In such cases, the MP who posed the question would be offered two options: either proceed with an oral reply at the next session or refer the matter to Parliament for a vote on postponing the question until a written response is received from the minister. No discussion would take place before the vote. Supplementary provisions The move draws its basis from Article 94(b) of the Constitution, which allows either chamber to adopt supplementary provisions to regulate matters of internal procedure not covered in existing legislation. The proposal argues that the current rules lack a clear mechanism for dealing with late responses, leaving questions unresolved and MPs uninformed about how or when the matter will be addressed. The suggested wording for the new clause reads: 'In all cases, if the legal deadline for the minister's response to a question expires, or if the additional period requested for deferral also lapses, the Speaker shall immediately offer the MP who submitted the question the choice either to place the question on the agenda of the next session for an oral reply, or to refer the matter to Parliament for a vote on postponing the question until a written response is received from the relevant minister, without discussion.'
Gulf Insider
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Bahrain: MP Seeks Rule Change to Tackle Ministerial Delays in Answering Questions
For the first time since Bahrain's Parliament was formed, an MP has turned to a rarely used constitutional tool to propose a change to the council's internal rulebook. The request aims to give MPs more control when ministers miss deadlines for answering parliamentary questions. MP Mohammed Al Ahmed submitted the proposal to the Speaker, seeking to add a new clause to Article 136 of the internal rules. The change would require the Speaker to act if a minister fails to respond within the set timeframe or within an agreed extension. In such cases, the MP who posed the question would be offered two options: either proceed with an oral reply at the next session or refer the matter to Parliament for a vote on postponing the question until a written response is received from the minister. No discussion would take place before the vote. Supplementary provisionsThe move draws its basis from Article 94(b) of the Constitution, which allows either chamber to adopt supplementary provisions to regulate matters of internal procedure not covered in existing legislation. The proposal argues that the current rules lack a clear mechanism for dealing with late responses, leaving questions unresolved and MPs uninformed about how or when the matter will be addressed. The suggested wording for the new clause reads: 'In all cases, if the legal deadline for the minister's response to a question expires, or if the additional period requested for deferral also lapses, the Speaker shall immediately offer the MP who submitted the question the choice either to place the question on the agenda of the next session for an oral reply, or to refer the matter to Parliament for a vote on postponing the question until a written response is received from the relevant minister, without discussion.'
Daily Tribune
19-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Draft law demands half of privatised roles for Bahrainis
Half of all jobs in privatised state projects should go to Bahrainis under a draft law set for debate in Parliament on Tuesday. The proposal would make it mandatory for contractors hired under government privatisation deals to employ at least 50% Bahraini staff. Put forward by MPs Dr Muneer Seroor, Mohammed Al Ahmed, and Lulwa Al Romaihi, the bill has already been approved by Parliament's Financial and Economic Affairs Committee. It applies across sectors where state control or operations are transferred to the private sector, including tourism, telecoms, transport, ports, power, oil and gas, and postal services. Dr Seroor argued the move was essential to ensure locals benefit from projects that originated in the public domain. 'It's not right for government-run projects to end up in private hands with no guarantees for our people,' he said. 'Job creation for Bahrainis must be a core outcome—not an afterthought.' The draft reads: 'A Bahrainisation quota of no less than fifty per cent must be imposed on any contractor engaged by the government under a privatisation contract.' Supporters say the law addresses a growing disconnect between jobseekers and available positions, particularly as public sector hiring slows. Though no longer state-run, privatised services are often funded through public money and should reflect that in local employment, they argue. The bill has two articles: the first lays out the Bahrainisation requirement, and the second calls for its immediate implementation once published in the Official Gazette.
Gulf Insider
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
10-Year Jail Term For 'Misusing' Al
Jail terms of up to 10 years are being proposed in Bahrain's first law to rein in artificial intelligence. The draft legislation, which Parliament's Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee is set to discuss, lays down tough penalties for Al-driven crimes, from cyber offences to threats against national security. Developers and users of Al tools that spread falsehoods, tamper with data, or facilitate online crime could also face prison sentences of up to five years. The bill lays out rules for Al software, civil liability, and criminal responsibility, aiming to bring the technology under legal oversight. It also pushes Bahrain towards becoming a regional centre for Al development while ensuring it is used responsibly in all sectors. A new regulator, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, is to be set up under the Ministry of Interior. It will issue licences to Al developers and service providers while keeping an eye on compliance with security and legal standards. MP Mohammed Al Ahmed, who brought the proposal forward, said that Bahrain has no laws covering Al, making it urgent to get rules in place. He argued that legal clarity was needed to match the way Al is transforming industries, ensuring laws keep pace with reality. The bill is split into five sections, covering everything from definitions and broad policies to rules, penalties, and final provisions. According to Al Ahmed, the law will give Bahrain a clearer framework for Al while encouraging fair and responsible use of the technology. Article 3 puts the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence in charge of licensing, enforcement, and working with government and private bodies to keep Al systems in sync. It will also issue reports on the risks Al poses, both technically and ethically. Article 4 states that no Al system can be rolled out without a green light from regulators. Systems must be open to scrutiny and checked for fairness and accountability. The law also bans Al from making decisions that affect people's rights without human oversight, particularly in key areas like law, health, and finance. Al systems must not be used in ways that endanger national security or public order. Article 5 spells out punishments for those who flout Al rules. Fines between BD1,000 and BD5,000 will be slapped on those who breach data protection and transparency rules. Those whose reckless or careless use of Al leads to serious harm – whether loss of life or environmental damage – face jail time or financial penalties. Harsher sentences apply where Al has been deliberately used for fraud, privacy violations, financial crime, or other breaches identified by regulators. Article 6 gives authorities the power to issue detailed rules and updates as technology moves forward. The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence will be able to amend legal standards when needed to ensure Al laws stay relevant. Also read: Bahrain: Drug Peddler Jailed For Five Years, Fined BD 3,000
Daily Tribune
03-03-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
10-year jail term for ‘misusing' AI
Jail terms of up to 10 years are being proposed in Bahrain's first law to rein in artificial intelligence. The draft legislation, which Parliament's Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee is set to discuss, lays down tough penalties for AI-driven crimes, from cyber offences to threats against national security. Developers and users of AI tools that spread falsehoods, tamper with data, or facilitate online crime could also face prison sentences of up to five years. Rules The bill lays out rules for AI software, civil liability, and criminal responsibility, aiming to bring the technology under legal oversight. It also pushes Bahrain towards becoming a regional centre for AI development while ensuring it is used responsibly in all sectors. A new regulator, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, is to be set up under the Ministry of Interior. Licences It will issue licences to AI developers and service providers while keeping an eye on compliance with security and legal standards. MP Mohammed Al Ahmed, who brought the proposal forward, said that Bahrain has no laws covering AI, making it urgent to get rules in place. He argued that legal clarity was needed to match the way AI is transforming industries, ensuring laws keep pace with reality. The bill is split into five sections, covering everything from definitions and broad policies to rules, penalties, and final provisions. Framework According to Al Ahmed, the law will give Bahrain a clearer framework for AI while encouraging fair and responsible use of the technology. Article 3 puts the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence in charge of licensing, enforcement, and working with government and private bodies to keep AI systems in sync. It will also issue reports on the risks AI poses, both technically and ethically. Green light Article 4 states that no AI system can be rolled out without a green light from regulators. Systems must be open to scrutiny and checked for fairness and accountability. The law also bans AI from making decisions that affect people's rights without human oversight, particularly in key areas like law, health, and finance. AI systems must not be used in ways that endanger national security or public order. Punishments Article 5 spells out punishments for those who flout AI rules. Fines between BD1,000 and BD5,000 will be slapped on those who breach data protection and transparency rules. Those whose reckless or careless use of AI leads to serious harm — whether loss of life or environmental damage — face jail time or financial penalties. Breaches Harsher sentences apply where AI has been deliberately used for fraud, privacy violations, financial crime, or other breaches identified by regulators. Article 6 gives authorities the power to issue detailed rules and updates as technology moves forward.
