Al-Asoumi: “The justifications for refusing [housing provision] are that those concerned are the middle classes. We have heard about the existence of something called the middle classes, but in truth these no longer exist”
Al-Asoumi: “I challenge the Government to show that it has moved even a single step forward on the health tourism file, since the statements in this regard by the previous minister 13 years ago. Nothing has so far been achieved”
Al-Asoumi: “I haven’t insulted anybody. The difference between me and others is that they speak in a roundabout manner, while I speak directly”
Chairman of Permanent Committee for Public Utilities and Environment (from Oct 2015)
Chairman of Joint Committee for Subsidy Reform and Developing Revenues (from Nov 2015)
Chairman of Parliamentary Sub-Committee for Reviewing Subsidy Reform (July 2015)
Chairman of the Investigative Committee on Unregistered Foreign Workers (April 2015)
Member of Mumtalakat Investigation Committee (April 2015)
Member of Government Action Plan Committee (Jan-Feb 2015).
Member of Permanent Committee for Public Utilities and Environment (From Nov 2014)
As one of the longest-serving MPs (since 2006), Al-Asoumi has been an outspoken and visible figure in the 2015 Parliament. Al-Asoumi’s constituency covers some of the key business districts of Manama, making him an articulate advocate for small and medium-sized businesses. He also takes a strong interest in transport infrastructure. During the 10 November 2015 parliamentary session, Al-Asoumi led an urgent motion for blocking the sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat from taking possession of a stretch of coastline near Al-Fateh Mosque in Al-Asoumi’s constituency.
In October 2015, at the beginning of the new parliamentary term, Al-Asoumi was elected as the new head of the Public Utilities Committee, taking over from Jamal Dawoud.
Al-Asoumi’s chairmanship of the Subsidies Sub-Committee during mid-2015 gave him a high level of visibility on one of the highest profile and most controversial issues of 2015. The Sub-Committee’s strongly-worded mid-August statement criticizing the Deputy Chairman of Parliament’s comments on the subsidies issue is perhaps an indicator of Al-Aradi’s readiness to speak his mind.
Al-Asoumi’s activity in pursuing the health fees issue in early 2015 shows what an energetic figure he can be in pursuing matters he feels passionate about. He has been unforgiving in pursuing the Minister of Health on the issue of fees and other perceived shortcomings of the Ministry. During autumn 2015, Al-Asoumi championed a proposal for divesting the Health Ministry of responsibility for sending Bahrainis for treatment abroad, after numerous irregularities were cites in the Financial Audit Bureau report.
Al-Asoumi was the most outspoken MP in calling for the interrogation of the Health Minister following the parliamentary review of the 2014 Financial Audit Bureau report. He reacted furiously when insufficient numbers of MPs voted in favour of the interrogation proposal and ended up storming out of the 5 May 2015 parliamentary session, after the Chairman refused to let him speak.
His combative approach makes him sometimes rather scathing of the efforts of others. For example; Al-Asoumi accused MPs behind a proposal for increasing housing allowance, of playing with the public’s feelings, while knowing the Government would reject the idea. Al-Asoumi has tended to concern himself less with Government spending than some other business-minded MPs, but spoke positively of the State Budget and voted in support of it being passed.
Al-Aradi competed unsuccessfully for deputy chairmanship of the Parliament in December 2014. In the previous 2010-2014 Parliament, he was a member of the “Independents Bloc” which included current MPs Al-Mulla, Al-Kooheji and Bin-Huwail. During the 2011-12 parliamentary year Al-Asoumi was Chairman of the Services Committee.
ACTIVITY DURING 2015-2016 PARLIAMENT SEASON
Housing, services & infrastructure
Transport: Al-Asoumi on 9 July proposed amendments to transport laws to restrict the stopping of public transport in residential areas.
Al-Asoumi on 5 Oct proposed a bill obliging civil servants to use the national airline. Al-Asoumi on 28 Oct asked the Minister of Transport about the nature of the commitment by Govt officials to travel by Gulf Air in their flights.
Housing: Al-Asoumi on 15 Sep met the Housing Minister to discuss ongoing and forthcoming housing projects.
During a parliamentary debate on 13 Oct in which the Housing Minister was present, Al-Asoumi criticized the Govt’s refusal to extend housing provision to those with a BD 1,500 income. Al-Asoumi added: “The justifications for refusing [housing provision] are that those concerned are the middle classes. We have heard about the existence of something called the middle classes, but in truth these no longer exist.”
The 27 Oct parliamentary session discussed and approved a motion put forward by a number of MPs calling for taking possession of old buildings and replacing them with new housing. Al-Asoumi supported the proposal, noting that it was cheaper for the Govt to rebuild homes with the existing infrastructure in place.
Domestic areas: During the 3 Nov parliamentary session, MPs discussed a proposal for removing abandoned cars from domestic areas, Al-Muqla noted the lack of clear definition of residential and industrial areas, which led to numerous garages being set up in areas near homes. Al-Asoumi noted the availability of other areas better suited to garage plots. He noted that there was such a conglomeration of garages in his Houra locality (35 along a single road) that even the rats had become addicted to engine oil.
Standards of living, health & education
Social development: A statement by Al-Asoumi on 27 July praised the role of the Ministry of Social Development in serving citizens and furthering the needs of Bahrain’s society.
Health: During the 10 Nov parliamentary session, Al-Asoumi spoke in favour of a proposed a health centre for addressing problems associated with infertility, saying that such a proposal should have been implemented years ago.
During the 24 Nov parliamentary session MPs approved a proposal by Al-Noaimi, Al-Bakri, Al-Asoumi Al-Najjar and Dawoud for removing the scheme for providing treatment overseas from the Health Ministry.
Environment: Al-Asoumi on 7 Nov said that through his Public Utilities Committee role, he planned to add additional legislation to the public cleanliness law, to address nuclear and chemical waste. Al-Asoumi on 22 Nov said that his Committee had discussed measures for toughening penalties for environmental pollution arising from nuclear and chemical waste.
Economy & employment
Unregistered workers: Al-Asoumi on 30 Sep called for parliamentary interrogation of those officials found to have failed to address the issue of unregistered foreign labour and “free visas”.
During a 15 Nov meeting with officials to discuss the issue of unregistered foreign workers, Committee Chairman Al-Asoumi stressed the need for better coordination between the key parties and the need for additional legislation.
Trade: During the 24 Nov parliamentary session, a proposal by Al-Asoumi, Al-Kooheji, Al-Jowder and Al-Ammadi was approved for obliging the Commerce Ministry to provide a record of non-implemented trade registrations, and action taken against those residing illegally in Bahrain.
Alcohol sales: The 27 Oct parliamentary session discussed a motion put forward by a number of MPs calling for a crackdown on alcohol sales on Reef Island.Al-Asoumi commented, “Investors should get all their rights in Bahrain, as it was constitutionally ensured. But at the same time, they should commit to the law. If we allow them to overlook the rules and regulations of the country, others will behave in the same way and things will be chaotic. The Kingdom has a long experience in welcoming investors and considering our reputation in this regard I call upon the related parties to take this matter as a priority.” MPs voted in support of this proposal, which was referred to the Shura council for further debate.
Mumtalakat: During the 10 Nov parliamentary session, Al-Asoumi led an urgent motion for blocking the sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat from taking possession of a stretch of coastline near Al-Fateh Mosque in Al-Asoumi’s constituency. MPs decided to delay the proposal for further consideration.
Good governance & public finance
Subsidies: On 3 Aug it was revealed that Al-Asoumi was to be appointed Chairman of the Subsidies Sub-Committee.
On 18 Aug Al-Asoumi pledged that his Committee would achieve a “historic accord” regarding subsidy reform and he praised the positive engagement from the Govt’s side. He said that members recognized the challenging economic circumstances Bahrain was facing and this required solidarity in addressing the subsidies issue.
On 20 Aug Al–Asoumi stated that the Govt was disinclined to take a “unilateral” decision on subsidy reform and he urged a delay in implementing measures until the Committee had completed its work. He said that the Committee on 22 Aug would meet with Chamber of Commerce officials and businesswomen. Al-Asoumi noted the importance of recent public meetings organized by the Social Engagement Committee for hearing the views of local people on the subsidies issue.
On 23 Aug Al-Asoumi said that his Committee had discussed the possibility of a month’s delay in removing meat subsidies in order to allow further debate. Al-Asoumi noted the agreement of Committee members of the need for quickly arriving at a “clear vision” for subsidy reform. He stressed his Committee’s determination to play a positive role in preserving the balance of Bahrain’s economy.
On 24 Aug Al-Asoumi told the media that his committee expected to receive data regarding subsidy reform form the Ministries of Energy and Electricity the following week.
Al-Asoumi on 3 Sep said that MPs preferred the option of the smart card for subsidy reform. He said that the Committee was reaching the end of its work and would soon give a detailed assessment of its conclusions.
Al-Asoumi on 7 Sep said that officials were only in the early stages of discussing proposals for addressing fuel subsidies and there was still no agreement between ministers and MPs on these issues. Al-Asoumi said that there was no agreement yet on the possibility of increasing the prices of the higher grade of petrol and stressed that talks were still ongoing on fuel subsidies.
Al-Asoumi on 14 Sep said that numerous proposals had been made to ministers for formulas for redirecting subsidies to citizens, to avoid adverse effects for Bahrainis. Al-Asoumi on 19 Sep said that MPs and ministers had agreed on a range of issues related to electricity subsidies reform. He said that the Govt was due to respond formally to a number of proposals submitted by MPs on this issue.
Following the Government directive to set up a committee to discuss prospects for a subsidies smart card, on 8 Oct Al-Asoumi said that this was a positive step and in line with the thinking of MPs, but that this should aim to reach conclusions quickly.
During the 27 Oct open parliamentary debate on subsidy reform, Al-Asoumi accused other MPs of trying to set themselves up in the position of heroic contestants vis-à-vis the Govt; adding that they were wrong to have held an open debate before the Subsidies Committee report was submitted.
In the Bahrain TV show on the views of MPs following the 27 Oct parliamentary session, Al-Asoumi was quoted voicing his support for the smart card option as the best means of avoiding price rises and other effects.
During the 3 Nov parliamentary session, MPs voted to increase meat subsidy compensation to BD 10 to each Bahraini citizen. MPs also voted in support of compensating butchers and investigating the situation facing them. Al-Asoumi said that a clause in the Labour Fund Tamkeen’s charter stipulated the necessity of compensating those harmed by such measures.
Al-Asoumi on 23 Nov said that there must be no increases in the amounts Bahrainis pay for their electricity bills.
Subsidies Committee: On 1 Nov, after a lengthy period of absence by head of the Joint Committee, Majid al-Majid, Al-Majid submitted a request to withdraw from the Joint Committee for Subsidy Reform and Developing Revenues. Parliament agreed to replace him with Adel al-Asoumi, with Abbas al-Madhi as deputy Chairman.
On 2 Nov Al–Asoumi denied reports in Al-Ayam that the Joint Subsidies Committee had fallen short in his work. He praised the work of the former Committee Chairman Al-Majid and said that his replacement of Al-Majid was purely an “organizational measure”. He clarified that Al-Majid was present in Bahrain and not on prolonged travel abroad, as Al-Ayam had claimed (Al-Ayam on 1 Nov stated that Al-Majid had been out of the country on “private travel” for two weeks and would not return for a further two weeks).
Al-Asoumi on 19 Nov said that the Subsidies Committee was still awaiting responses from the Govt, and said that without key information the Committee could not finalize its conclusions.
Al-Asoumi on 21 Nov stressed that gas subsidy reforms must not harm Bahrainis or Bahraini businesses, in particularly the crafts and pottery sectors. He noted that representatives from this sector had raised their concerns.
Al-Asoumi on 22 Nov said that a meeting would be held the following week regarding pricings for electricity bills for foreigners and businesses after the removal of subsidies, as well as for agreeing on a timescale. He added: “More technical study is required before new rates are decided upon for expatriates, but a rough draft is expected in the coming days. “We have completed more than 90% of the work on the subsidy cuts plan for water and electricity and our main target – cutting off major companies that make millions out of the subsidized rates – has been achieved.”
Al-Asoumi noted the key question would be how to retain subsidies for Bahrainis “either the same system is used as with meat subsidies, where payments are made directly to bank accounts, or ration cards are introduced,”
Bonuses: Al-Asoumi on 12 Nov welcomed the Govt’s agreement with the parliamentary proposal for halting bonuses for local authority officials for two years, to reduce Govt expenditure. He called for such bonuses to be permanently halted.
During the 24 Nov parliamentary session MPs approved an urgent proposal for preventing government sector employees from obtaining bonuses for their roles in publicly-owned entities. Al-Asoumi claimed that some Govt employees were earning six times their wage level for attending a couple of meetings, despite these entities failing to make profits or benefit the Budget.
Public debt: During the 17 Nov debate on the proposal to limit the debt ceiling to 60% of GDP, Adel al-Asoumi criticized Bu-Ali’s Finance Committee for rushing through this proposal as an urgent bill before MPs had a proper chance to study and consider it.
Policing & regional security
Terrorism: Al-Asoumi on 28 July condemned the recent attack in Sitra which killed 2 policemen, saying that “Bahrain’s security is a red line”. Al-Asoumi on 6 Aug condemned the mosque attack in Abha Saudi Arabia.
Iran: Al-Asoumi on 24 July condemned statements by the Iranian leadership concerning Bahrain, which he described as interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs. He praised the response of Bahrain’s leadership to these threats. Al-Asoumi on 29 Aug strongly condemned the Al-Karranah bombing which killed one policeman. He said that the attacks aimed to spread disunity and undermine stability.
Egypt: Al-Asoumi featured prominently in 26 Oct newspapers welcoming President Sisi of Egypt to Bahrain.Al-Asoumi on 19 Nov spoke at an event for the Egypt-Bahrain friendship society. He talked about proposals for a Bahraini visit to Sharm al-Shaikh, coinciding with Bahrain’s national day, to promote tourism to Egypt.
Youth, culture & sport
Achievements: MPs Ali al-Aradi, Ahmed Qaratah, Khalifa al-Ghanim, Abdulrahman Bumjaid and Adel al-Asoumi have submitted a proposal for displays in the Governorate buildings highlighting the achievements of successful local figures. Al-Wasat reported on 23 Oct that this proposal was to be discussed in the coming parliamentary session. During the 27 Oct parliamentary session MPs Al-Aradi and Al-Asoumi demanded the withdrawal of the proposal, saying that they disagreed with amendments which altered the nature of the initiative.
Parliament role & constituent engagement
Committees: According to Al-Watan newspaper on 6 Oct, Jamal Dawoud is standing for continuing his chairmanship of this Committee in the coming parliamentary term, although reportedly Ahmed Qaratah and Adel al-Asoumi are also competing for the job. However, Dawoud acknowledged his readiness to stand down if this served the greater good.
Affiliation: Al-Wasat newspaper on 4 Oct signaled that a new parliamentary bloc was likely to be established at the beginning of the new parliamentary term, consisting of MPs Al-Asoumi, Bu-Ali, Qaratah, Al-Bakri, Al-Maarifi, Al-Noaimi, Al-Hammadi, Bin-Huwail and Turki. However, Al-Asoumi’s name was absent from subsequent speculation about blocs.
On 23 Nov Al–Asoumi told Al-Watan newspaper that membership of blocs limited the freedom of MPs to take decisions in the interests of local constituents. He noted that most constituents had voted against affiliations with blocs and societies. During the previous Parliament, Al-Asoumi was a member of the Independents Bloc.
Delegation: Al-Asoumi in mid-Oct participated in a delegation to the International Parliament in Geneva.
Private bills: During the 3 Nov parliamentary session, MPs reacted angrily to the Govt’s rejection of a number of private bills put forward by MPs. Al-Asoumi asked what all the point was of the talking in Parliament, if it wasn’t taken seriously by the Govt. He criticized the manner in which health fees were being imposed on businesses that employed foreign workers.
During the 17 Nov MPs once again responded angrily to a new set of responses from the Government rejecting almost all of their proposals which had been submitted as private bills. Al-Asoumi questioned how the Govt could say that that the proposal for promoting health tourism had been accomplished when the health service was in such a poor state. He said: “I challenge the Government to show that it has moved even a single step forward on the health tourism file, since the statements in this regard by the previous minister 13 years ago. Nothing has so far been achieved.” During the same debate, after a tense exchange with a Government official, Al-Asoumi questioned whether the Govt was suffering from Alzheimer’s – although he later retracted this statement after the Parliament Chairman called him to account.
ACTIVITY DURING 2014-2015 PARLIAMENT SEASON
Housing, services & infrastructure
Road safety: Al-Asoumi on 1 February called for cameras to be installed in traffic lights to crack down on those violating traffic laws.
Aviation: Al-Asoumi on 2 March strongly praised Gulf Air’s achievements in reducing losses, improving its performance.
Public infrastructure: The Transport Minister responded to a question by Al-Asoumi about the GCC railway, saying that the project would take 8 years, if work started in 2015.
Standards of living, health & education
Health fees: Al-Asoumi has spoken out on several occasions about the proposal for increasing health charges for non-Bahrainis, including in both the 20 and 27 January parliamentary sessions. He said that the Health Ministry’s actions was “raising the blood pressure of citizens – not treating them!”. On 31 January Al-Asoumi once again spoke out about the health charges issue accusing the Health Minister’s actions of being “unconstitutional”.
On 8 February Al-Asoumi again called for the Minister to be summoned to Parliament for questioning. During the 10 February parliamentary session Al-Asoumi secured consensus from MPs on a bill calling for medical fees to be scrapped. Al-Asoumi criticized the Health Minister for not being present.
Public health: During the 3 March parliamentary session on revisions to the public health law, Al-Asoumi confirmed that there were many amendments needing to be made. He said that there needed to be careful consideration to ensure that there was care in distinguishing between Bahrainis brought up in the Kingdom and foreigners. On the issue of food standards of products sold on the side of the street, Al-Asoumi said that there had to be clear identification of who was responsible for monitoring these products.
Housing benefit: During the 17 March parliamentary session Al-Asoumi criticized the proposal for raising housing allowance from 100 to 200 BD, saying: “This is simply a way to play with people’s sentiments. This should have been negotiated as part of the Government Action Plan – if the proposal was serious”. Al-Asoumi said that the Government would simply reject the proposal.
Al-Asoumi on 19 March put forward a formal proposal for issuing social support cards to families to help redirect Government support to Bahraini families and assist them in obtaining basic commodities. He blamed the growing shortfall in the national budget on a “failure to direct support to citizens”.
Health Ministry: Al-Asoumi warned the Ministry of Health on 23 March that Parliament’s “powers of oversight” would be used against the Ministry if “mistreatment of consultants was proven”
Economy & employment
Regional economy: Al-Asoumi chaired a delegation during mid-February to an Arab Parliament conference in Cairo discussing financial issues.
Pearl monitoring: During a stormy 10 March parliamentary debate over a bill for privatizing monitoring the quality of pearls and precious stones, Al-Asoumi questioned why the draft bill had been marked as urgent, and urged MPs to reject it, considering that Bahrainis held the necessary skills to conduct this work.
Foreign workers: Al-Asoumi on 18 March threatened to turn the issue of unregistered foreign workers into a vote of confidence issue against ministers. Al-Asoumi said that despite there being “no difficulty in controlling the issue”, nothing had been done. “The Council [of Representatives] must intervene to compel the Government to get rid of these workers;” he said.
Good governance & public finance
Audit report: During the 31 March parliamentary debate in which it was decided to delay further discussion on the Financial Audit Bureau report because key ministers had failed to attend; Al-Asoumi said: “How can we discuss the audit report when no minister is present?”
During the 14 April parliamentary debate concerning the annual Financial Audit Bureau report, Al-Asoumi pledged that the Health Minister should be interrogated this time round. Al-Asoumi noted “massive violations” in the Health Ministry, particularly with regard to treatment abroad. “We should not remain sitting in this Chamber if we don’t interrogate the Health Minister” he added.
Al-Asoumi on 18 April said that MPs were resolved to interrogate the Health Minister following Parliament’s review of the annual audit report. “The legal document has been prepared as well as the documentation of all the violations and mistakes made by the Minister over the previous period,” Al-Asoumi stated.
Public debt: During the 10 March parliamentary session Al-Asoumi called on his colleagues to pause before passing a draft bill placing a ceiling on public debt. He said that “limiting public debt could affect security, defence and standards of living. Don’t give the Finance Ministry the pretense for reducing projects.”
The session on the public debt bill saw a dispute between Ali al-Asoumi and Isa al-Kooheji after a mechanical fault in the voting system led Al-Kooheji to demand a re-vote due to the vote being recorded for an absent deputy (Rua al-Haiki). Al-Asoumi objected, saying that another vote would make no difference to the majority decision to send the draft public debt bill back to the Finance Committee. The Parliament Chairman overruled him and demanded a second vote during the next week’s session.
Budget: In a joint 4 April statement Al-Asoumi and Abbas al-Madhi praised the Prime Minister’s recent comments about ensuring that the rights and benefits of citizens are not removed.
Policing & regional security
Policing: Al-Asoumi praised the speed of the Interior Ministry in detaining “saboteurs” on 12 March who committed “terrorist acts” in the Juffair area.
Rights & freedoms
Cartoons: During a 20 January parliamentary session discussing the new Charlie Hebdou cartoons portraying the Prophet Al-Asoumi proposed submitting recommendations to the UN outlawing “religious insults”.
Youth, culture & sport
Sport: Al-Asoumi has called for much greater support for sports in Bahrain. During the 7 April parliamentary session he was widely quoted as saying that Bahrain’s sports budget was lower than the value of Ronaldo’s shorts!
Youth & sport: Al-Asoumi welcomed the appointment of the first Minister for Youth and Sport in Bahrain’s history. (15 April)
Grand Prix: Al-Asoumi on 20 April praised the organizers of the F1 and congratulated ministries for the smooth and secure running of the event.
Parliament role
Action Plan: During the 20 January parliamentary session Al-Asoumi spoke of the need for full cooperation with the Government in amending the Government Action Plan. Al-Asoumi during the 27 January parliamentary session said that the Government Action Plan Committee had “fallen short” in its work by not better organizing its submissions to ministers.
Adel al-Asoumi criticized the leadership of the Action Plan Committee during the 21 April parliamentary session. Nabil Al-Balooshi rebuked Al-Asoumi for “insulting the Committee’s head, Ali al-Aradi. Al-Asoumi responded by saying: “I haven’t insulted anybody. The difference between me and others is that they speak in a roundabout manner, while I speak directly”.
Effectiveness rating
- Standards of living, health & education – 6
- Housing & services – 6
- Policing & regional security – 5
- Good governance & public finance – 5
- Economy & employment – 8
- Supporting constituents & youth – 5
- Rights & freedoms – 4
- Constructive Parliament role – 7
- Public visibility – 6
- Progressive/reformist credentials -5
Results of 2014 elections – 1st Capital
Areas covered: Manama northeast coast, Diplomatic Area, Houra, Qudaybiya
Housing blocks: 307, 308, 309, 310, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 344, 346
Registered voters: 6,317; Percentage 1st round voter turnout: 72.0%
First round vote:
Adel al-Asoumi (MP) – 2068 (47.5%); Khalid Sulaibikh – 1491 (34.2%); Ibrahim Janahi – 631 (14.5%); Ahmed al-Awadhi – 93; Ahmed al-Abbasi – 74
Second round vote:
Adel al-Asoumi (MP) – 2265 (54.5%)
Khalid Sulaibikh – 1891 (45.5%)
Profile of election campaign: Adel Abdulrahman Mohammed Ahmed al-Asoumi
Seen as a popular and dynamic sitting MP, Ali al-Asoumi is Chairman of Bahrain’s National Basketball Association and active in increasing Bahrain’s international sporting profile. This result will have surprised few people. Al-Asoumi is a respected MP and local figure, so he was the favourite from the beginning of this contest.
Al-Asoumi said that since winning his parliamentary seat in 2006 “I embarked on a well-defined electoral programme for developing Houra and Qudaibiya. I’m now in the process of completing these… I’m one of the deputies who has made most use of constitutional parliamentary tools for achieving the aspirations of citizens”. Al-Asoumi refused to say how much he had budgeted for his campaign, but said that he required relatively less than those contesting for the first time, because incumbents like him relied more on their “public standing”, rather than self-promotion.
Constituency demographic
1st Capital is one of the most predominantly loyalist areas within the Capital Governorate. A 72% first round turnout is a respectable figure and gives Al-Asoumi a strong mandate.
For the many regional visitors to Bahrain, this is the Manama they know, with its hotels, leisure facilities, the Corniche and plentiful shopping and restaurant opportunities. In terms of land area this is one of the larger Capital constituencies, although it has relatively low population density with only 6,317 registered voters, a substantial proportion of these clustered in the more traditional areas of Houra and Qudaibiya.
One reason for the low population density is that the area encompasses many government and commercial offices, particularly in the Diplomatic Area and Financial Harbour. The population is set to grow in the coming years as much of the coastal land has been recently reclaimed and there are several large residential projects underway.
Know your deputy: MPs profiles
Adel al-Asoumi – 1st Capital
Chairman of Permanent Committee for Public Utilities and Environment
Ahmed Qaratah – 2nd Capital
Adel Bin-Hamid Abdulhussain – 3rd Capital
Abdulrahman Bumjaid – 4th Capital
Nasser al-Qaseer – 5th Capital
Chairman of Parliamentary Human Rights Committee
Ali al-Atish – 6th Capital
Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Shari’ah and Legal Matters
Osamah al-Khajah – 7th Capital
Shaikh Majid al-Asfour – 8th Capital
Mohammed Jaffar Milad – 9th Capital
Nabil al-Balooshi – 10th Capital
Ali Bufarsan – 1st Muharraq
Ibrahim al-Hammadi – 2nd Muharraq
Jamal Buhassan – 3rd Muharraq
Isa al-Kooheji – 4th Muharraq
Mohammed al-Jowder – 5th Muharraq
Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Foreign, Defence and National Security Affairs
Deputy-Chairman of Parliamentary Human Rights Committee
Abbas al-Madhi – 6th Muharraq
Ali al-Muqla – 7th Muharraq
Abdulrahman Bu-Ali – 8th Muharraq
Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Financial and Economic Matters
Fatimah al-Asfour – 1st Northern
Deputy Chairwoman of the Committee for Women and Children
Jalal Kadhim al-Mahfoudh – 2nd Northern
Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Financial and Economic Matters
Hamad al-Dossary – 3rd Northern
Deputy Chairman of Committee for Youth and Sports
Ghazi Al Rahmah – 4th Northern
Chairman of Committee for Youth and Sports
Ali al-Aradi – 5th Northern
Deputy Chairman of Parliament
Rua al-Haiki – 6th Northern
Chairwoman of the Committee for Women and Children
Shaikh Majid al-Majid – 7th Northern
Dr. Isa Turki – 8th Northern
Abdulhamid Abdulhussain al-Najjar – 9th Northern
Mohammed al-Ammadi – 10th Northern
Chairman of Committee for Supporting the Palestinian People
Jamal Dawoud – 11th Northern
Jamila al-Sammak – 12th Northern
Khalid al-Shaer – 1st Southern
Mohammed al-Ahmed – 2nd Southern
Abdulhalim Murad – 3rd Southern
Second Deputy Chairman of Parliament
Mohammed al-Maarifi – 4th Southern
Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Services
Khalifa al-Ghanim – 5th Southern
Anas Buhindi – 6th Southern
Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Shari’ah and Legal Matters
Abdullah Bin-Huwail – 7th Southern
Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Foreign, Defence and National Security Affairs
Dhiyab al-Noaimi – 8th Southern
Mohsin al-Bakri – 9th Southern
Deputy Chairman of Permanent Committee for Public Utilities and Environment
Ahmed al-Mulla – 10th Southern
Chairman of Parliament