Media Release

Kuwait, Jun 15: A leading social welfare organization of Indians in Kuwait, Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA) urged authorities of Kuwait to be lenient and considerate on concerns of expatriates about the new regulations and law enforcement regarding traffic violations and residencies check points in Kuwait.

It was requested by the representatives of the Association in a meeting with Major General Abdul Fattah Al Ali, assistant undersecretary for traffic affairs, Kuwait on Wednesday, June 12.

In a memorandum submitted to Major Ali by a delegation headed by Sageer Trikarpur, chairman of KKMA mentioned, "As a law abiding community, we fully support the Kuwaiti officials in taking action against anyone who is considered as illegal or involved in criminal activities. However, we are requesting your kind intervention to give humanitarian consideration and avoid misuse while implementing (laws) where even at times basic human rights are violated."
 
Major Ali assured that expats who have legally valid residency in Kuwait and no traffic violations or criminal/offense records against their names, they should feel secure and safe.

The delegation particularly brought his attention to penalizing private car owners having friends, colleagues or relatives riding with them such as while going for work, shopping, prayers, hospitals, family visits, airport drops, etc. Major Ali responded that it is not the case rather he would be happy to see full of passengers in cars as it would reduce the number of cars on the road.

Major Ali hailed strong bond relation of India and Kuwait. Indian nationals are present in practically all segments of society in Kuwait, and are known to be disciplined, hard working, talented and law-abiding. “You people have acquired a special space in Kuwait as "a brilliant and the least problematic expatriate community which works or the overall development of Kuwait", Major Ali mentioned.

At the same time, he highlighted the importance of abiding traffic rules and clarified the current checking is not targeted only to expatriate community in Kuwait any nationality. It is a planned program based on studies to regulate our roads and making it safe for all nationals and residents in Kuwait. He said that the Middle East region has the highest rate of car accidents fatalities in the world and within this region with around 450 road fatalities in a year despite having very good roads and traffic infrastructures. The problem is very alarming and hence the current action is aimed at minimizing the traffic problem and the risk associated with it before it becomes acute and irreversible.

While thanking the Ministry for implementing strict traffic rules for the sake of safety of drivers and passengers alike, the Association on their part offered all support through conducting traffic awareness seminars and defensive driving training for their community members. First of this kind of seminar will be held on Friday June 21 at Indian Community School in Salmiya in which the Ambassador of India as well as Major Abdul Fattah Al Ali will be invited.

Vice chairmen Akbar Siddique and N A Muneer, president Abdul Fathah Thayyil, general secretary K Basheer, organizing secretary Hamza Payyanur, working presidents A P Abdul Salam, Iqbal B M and admin secretary K C Rafeeque also accompanied the delegation.