SUBSCRIPTION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016 SAFAR 3, 1438 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwaitis hold most negative Min 19º views of Trump among Arabs Max 27º High Tide 00:48 & 14:40 60% say Clinton will have ‘positive impact’ on Kuwait Low Tide 08:08 & 19:59 40 PAGES NO: 17039 150 FILS WASHINGTON: Among Arabs, Kuwaitis have the most negative view of US Republican candidate Donald Trump, Most motorists unlikely to give up cars and only half have a positive view of his rival Hillary Clinton, a public opinion survey from the Arab Center in KUWAIT: The recent hike in gasoline prices in Kuwait Washington, DC showed late Tuesday. Some 69 percent of has caused many motorists, whether nationals or expa- respondents from Kuwait said they disapprove of the real triates, to rethink whether to continue using their pri- estate mogul, compared to his overall 60 percent disap- vate cars or seek other alternatives. The sudden move proval rating in the region, the results revealed. by the government to increase petrol prices prompted Meanwhile, 50 percent of respondents from Kuwait said many drivers to also try to find a better way to compen- they approved of the former first lady, compared to her overall 56 percent approval sate for the loss incurred as a result of such a move. rating in the region. Kuwait Using taxis can be more expensive than abandon- was among the eight coun- ing private cars, while resorting to public transporta- tries from which a total of tion like buses seems like the best options for many. As 3,200 people over the age of seen in several developed countries, public transporta- 18 were randomly selected tion has always played a key role in having lesser traffic to answer questions on the congestions as well as lower cases of “road rage”. upcoming US election. The And with the prices of fuel going up, many car users other countries were Algeria, shifted their attention to public transport means in Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, the order to save money as a result of the increasing petrol Palestinian Territories (West price, yet they encountered many dilemmas such as Bank and Gaza), Saudi Arabia shabby bus stops, fewer number of buses that use cer- and Tunisia. There were 400 tain routes, the blazing heat while waiting for the bus respondents from each Donald Trump and most importantly, the experience of using the bus. nation, and questions were asked over the phone. In separate interviews with KUNA, a number of bus The most favorable view of Trump is in Iraq at 34 per- passengers, including nationals and expatriates, cent, and the least favorable view of Clinton is held by affirmed that they would not hesitate to use public Palestinians at 54 percent, results showed. Overall, 66 per- transport to help reduce traffic congestions and to cut cent of the Arab public prefers a Clinton administration if down the use of their cars, especially as fuel prices have they had to choose between her and Trump, and only 11 gone up. However, they said they would do so if percent said they would like to see a Trump presidency. extraordinary additions to public transport are made, Another 11 percent said they have no preference, and the remaining 11 percent said they do not know. The including an increase in buses, shaded and air-condi- strongest preference for Clinton is in North Africa, primarily tioned bus stops, reasonable fares and prompt service. KUWAIT: Buses are seen at the main KPTC depot in Mirqab. — KUNA in Morocco and Tunisia, the data showed. Continued on Page 13 Continued on Page 13 Qatar vows ‘100% Court allows two candidates to run compliance’ with key labor reform Ghanem has best chance for speakership: Ashour Population tops 2.6m By B Izzak court case regarding his registration as a candidate, said yesterday that the National Assembly was dis- which was carried out by his elder son Talal at the solved mainly in order to reduce the chances of the DOHA: Qatar said it expects “100 percent compli- KUWAIT: The administrative court yesterday ruled to orders of the court. The government appealed the order opposition from winning seats in the election. He also ance” from businesses by the end of 2016 on a labor allow two candidates barred by the election authorities and the appeals court is due to issue its ruling on Nov 8. harshly criticized the opposition groups and individuals reform introduced to ensure the country’s vast to run in the election after studying their urgent peti- In a related development, former MP Saleh Ashour Continued on Page 13 migrant workforce receive their salaries on time. tions. But the government immediately filed an objec- Government figures released in Doha yesterday to tion against the ruling and will challenge the verdict at mark the one-year anniversary of the introduction the appeals court. Those allowed are former opposition of the Wage Protection System (WPS) show that 1.8 Islamist MP Bader Al-Dahoum and new candidate Mane million - around 85 percent - of Qatar’s 2.1 million Al-Ajmi, who were among 47 candidates barred by the workforce are now paid electronically. That works election authorities on Tuesday. out at around 37,000 companies. A majority of those barred have filed petitions at the But a senior labor ministry official told AFP that court. The authorities barred 31 for receiving verdicts all companies will sign up to the scheme by the end against them while the remaining 16 were banned for of December. “Our aim is to have 100 percent com- not completing procedures of their applications. The pliance by the end of the year,” said Mohammed Ali government objection will only temporarily prevent the Al-Meer, the director of Qatar’s labor inspection two candidates from running until the appeals court department. “We have a commitment from the settles the issue. (remaining) 15 percent, we have contacted them.” The administrative court will today issue its verdict in Meanwhile, Qatar’s population has passed the the case of former MP Safa Al-Hashem who was barred 2.6 million mark as the emirate draws in thousands for receiving a verdict against her on a slander case. of workers to build the infrastructure for the 2022 Hashem filed a petition yesterday. Former controversial football World Cup, official figures showed yester- MP Abdulhameed Dashti also filed a similar petition day. The tiny state has seen a more than fourfold through his lawyer as he has been outside Kuwait since increase in its population since 2000 as oil and gas March. Dashti was handed jail terms totaling over 31 revenues have fuelled a rapid economic transforma- tion. A total of 2,611,522 people were resident in years for insulting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Dashti said on his Twitter account that the court will Continued on Page 13 rule on his case on Nov 9. Dashti is also fighting another THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016 LOCAL KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad meets with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets meets with Chairman of the International Islamic Charitable Organization Chairman of the International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO) Dr with Faisal Al-Ayyar. (IICO) Dr Abdullah Al-Maatouq. —Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos Abdullah Al-Maatouq. Amir congratulates IICO chief for winning humanitarian action prize KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Faisal Al-Ayyar who presented him a copy of his book Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Chairman of the International titled: “Money and Desert ... Kuwaiti Investments Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO) Dr Abdullah Al- between the Hammer of Politics and the Anvil of Maatouq at Bayan Palace yesterday afternoon. Mismanagement.” During the meeting, His Highness the Amir congrat- Earlier yesterday, His Highness the Amir received His ulated Maatouq, also the UN Secretary General’s Special Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Prime Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs and an advisor to the Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Amiri Diwan, on winning Bahrain’s prestigious Sheikh as well as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Nasser Prize for Humanitarian Action as well as on the Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- letter sent to him by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Sabah. Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince moon in recognition of his humanitarian activism. received His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, Sheikh Maatouq later met with His Highness the Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khaled, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad; who congratulated him for Interior Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- winning the award. Sabah, as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness the Prime Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir also received Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Kuwait keen on human rights: Researcher NEW YORK: Bolstering human rights is a of Kuwait. She added that Kuwait has top priority for the State of Kuwait, said a worked and continues to cooperate with researcher in a speech to a UN social, the UN on human rights development, humanitarian, and cultural committee mentioning that the constitution of the meeting late Tuesday. Sarah Saleh Al- country and its laws prioritized the protec- Zouman, member of the Kuwaiti diplomat- tion of human rights. ic delegation partaking in the 71st UN Zouman reaffirmed that Kuwait will General Assembly, told the meeting that work with other international partners to her country was very keen on implement- reinforce notions of human rights world- ing legislations and policies aimed at wide, saying that problems like terrorism, improving the situation of human rights in the spread of armed conflicts, human traf- Kuwait.