Penalties for violators of public assets on top of expected extraordinary session agenda — official

 AMMAN — The Parliament's upcoming extraordinary session will address a set of key regulations aimed at enhancing societal security and reforming the judiciary, a senior government official said.

Legislations to be discussed in the session seek to intensify penalties on violators of public money and public employees on duty, as well as those committing car thefts, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah said in a recent exclusive interview with The Jordan Times.

Violations related to festive firing, sports hooliganism, water and electricity thefts as well as assaults against certain groups like women, children and persons with special needs, will also be under discussion, he noted.

The expected extraordinary session, which convenes by a Royal Decree determining its opening date and agenda, will cover a total of 12 judiciary reform laws, including the Penal Code, Maaytah said. 

Last week, a Royal Decree was issued proroguing the first ordinary session of the two Chambers of Parliament as of Sunday, May 7th. 

"It is very important for these laws [recently announced by the Cabinet] to be discussed as a single unit," he highlighted.  

The minister noted that replacing imprisonment penalties for misdemeanor assaults with community service is among the amendments to be endorsed by lawmakers, adding that they allow a better sought end for punishment.

Commenting on the ordinary session, which lasted for 6 months, Maaytah said it witnessed "remarkable" efforts from the government and the Parliament, especially during the debate ahead of the vote of confidence and the marathon discussions of the state budget, as well as the endorsement of a large number of "urgent" economic and regulatory laws.

The session included discussion on the Audit Bureau's reports from 2009 until 2015, which resulted in referring certain files to the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission, while some cases were referred to the attorney general's office for graft suspicions involving former ministers, he underscored. 

Oversight meetings witnessed over 800 queries from MPs to the government, 679 of which were responded to, the minister said.  

“The relation between the Lower House and the government is based on the separation of authorities under the Constitution, yet it involves participation and dialogue for the sake of reaching consensus on some disputed issues,” he stressed.

Maaytah said the 18th Lower House has “performed its legislative and oversight duty” in the ordinary session.

The official noted that citizens as voters have the power to improve the Lower House’s performance through their vote in successive parliamentary cycles.  

Under Article 34 of the Constitution, the King has the power to convene, inaugurate, adjourn, and prorogue the Parliament.

His Majesty King Abdullah inaugurated the 18th Parliament’s first ordinary session on November 11 with a Speech from the Throne.

The laws enacted by the sitting Parliament that went into effect include laws amending the tourism, public health and collection of state funds laws. 

They also comprise legislation protecting the environment and consumers, a law governing the work of the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission and the National Human Rights Centre.