MP claims 9 ministers are shareholders of private firms in 'constitutional violation'

AMMAN — MP Rula Hroub has sent a query to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour asking him why he still keeps in the Cabinet ministers she claimed to have violated the Constitution for being shareholders in private firms.

Citing Article 44 of the Constitution, Hroub listed in the inquiry nine ministers she charged to be partners in private companies and shareholders in others. 

She submitted the query to the Lower House speaker's office on April 4 to be sent to the government.

The said article reads: "No Minister may purchase or lease any Government property even if the sale or lease thereof has been offered in public auction. He shall not, while holding his Ministerial office, become a member of the board of directors of any company or take part in any commercial or financial transaction or receive a salary from any company."

Ministers listed in the letter, a copy of which was made available to The Jordan Times, are: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Mohammad Thneibat, Labour Minister Nidal Katamine, Municipal Affairs Minister Walid Masri, Social Development Minister Reem Abu Hassan, Culture Minister Lana Mamkegh, Finance Minister Omar Malhas, Transport Minister Ayman Hatahet, ICT Minister Majd Shweikeh and Justice Minister Bassam Talhouni. 

Each of the listed ministers is claimed by Hroub to be an associate in at least one company with most of them in three, five, seven or even nine.

House Speaker Atef Tarawneh has sent the official inquiry to Ensour with a note to have a response within 21 days.

According to the House by-law, ministers have up to 21 days to provide answers to lawmakers' queries unless the speaker requests a quicker answer and the concerned minister approves. 

Also under the by-laws, MPs have the right to transform their queries into a move of no confidence if not convinced with ministers' defence.