Al-Samit: 'Electronic Agencies' launching next month... New penal law criminalizes dangerous acts and increases penalties

Abdul Karim Ahmed: Justice Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Orphan Affairs, Advisor Nasser Al-Samit, confirmed that the Authority is working on preparing a comprehensive program to provide extensive discounts for beneficiaries, in cooperation with several participating entities, noting that the returns on their funds have exceeded 11%.

Al-Samit said, in a press statement on the sidelines of honoring 1,247 male and female students from the Authority’s beneficiaries for their academic excellence across various educational stages for the 2025-2026 academic year, that serving this group is a great honor for him and all employees of the Authority. He emphasized that their sole goal is to support and care for them as the country’s future and the nation’s backbone.

He expressed his gratitude to the students’ families for supporting their children until they reached this stage, wishing success to all high achievers, and affirming that the Authority hopes to have repaid them, even partially, for their kindness through the honoring ceremony.

Regarding new measures to preserve orphan funds, Al-Samit clarified that the Authority announced about two weeks ago the distribution of returns exceeding 11% of the funds to its beneficiaries. It has also begun preparing a comprehensive program to offer extensive discounts in collaboration with several entities that have kindly offered their cooperation, covering almost all sectors.

He added that work is progressing rapidly across all relevant committees tasked with preserving these objectives, reaffirming that serving the male and female beneficiaries of the Authority is a great honor.

Penal Law

On the timeline for submitting the new Penal Law to the Council of Ministers, Al-Samit stated that work is currently underway awaiting additional responses from certain entities regarding the law. He explained that once these responses are received, the documents will be sent to the Office of Fatwa and Legislation, after the committee responsible for drafting and formulating the law, chaired by Advisor Saud Al-Sanaa, completes the necessary procedures.

He anticipated the law’s approval within a short period, describing it as a distinctive and exceptional law aimed at combating and significantly reducing crime in the country, while aligning with most international standards and benefiting from best practices implemented in several countries in this field.

Al-Samit clarified that the new law will criminalize certain dangerous acts that are not currently criminalized, alongside imposing harsher penalties. He added that, conversely, the law will introduce alternative measures and community service to implement certain rulings, noting that these tools are among the most important deterrents in comparative laws.

He expressed his hope that the law will contribute to addressing Kuwait’s criminal justice system and completing previous efforts in this regard, pointing out that the details of these measures will be comprehensively presented within the new law.

Electronic Agencies

Regarding digital transformation and the development of the judicial system and laws, Al-Samit affirmed that electronic agencies represent one of the largest projects the Ministry is working on, announcing their imminent launch next month.

He explained that the project took about a year to develop through a government contract with Microsoft, describing it as the largest project of its kind undertaken in the State of Kuwait. He noted that the service will be distinctive and exceptional, providing an unprecedented mechanism to safeguard the rights of both agents and principals in all cases, and confirmed that the Ministry will announce it next month.

During his speech at the honoring ceremony, Advisor Al-Samit emphasized that celebrating outstanding students is a recognition of their diligence, determination, and commitment to learning and success. He stressed the importance of care, encouragement, and family follow-up in developing students’ abilities and reinforcing an upbringing based on knowledge, values, and good conduct. He called on students to make this honor a motivation to continue striving, excelling, and trusting in their abilities, and to apply their knowledge and efforts.

In service to Kuwait and to elevate its standing, he expressed pride in their excellence and commended the efforts of their families, as well as the members of the teaching and administrative staff and employees of the Authority in supporting their educational journey. Al-Sumait pointed to the directives of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait regarding the importance of caring for families and safeguarding their interests, and managing their affairs with honesty, integrity, and justice. For her part, Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Court Affairs, Aliya Al-Saqqa, affirmed that the recognition ceremony embodies the Authority’s interest in its sons and daughters, its commitment to supporting and encouraging them, and its standing by their side throughout all stages of their lives, based on its belief that excellence is the fruit of diligence and hard work. Al-Saqqa expressed her appreciation to the families of students and teachers, as well as to the Authority’s employees and all contributors to this success, congratulating the high achievers on their accomplishments and wishing them continued success and the perseverance to maintain their path of achievement, so that they may remain a source of pride for their families and their country.