'MP Shahid bribed two Kuwaiti MPs Tk 115m'

Bangladesh member of parliament (MP) Md Shahid Islam bribed two Kuwaiti MPs Tk 115 million (KD 420,000), said Kuwaiti dailies Al-Nahar and Al Qabas on Monday citing the sources of public prosecution office and other investigation sources of the country.

Shahid Islam alias Papul bribed Saadoun Hammad-al-Otaibi and Salah Abdul Rekha Khurshid the money to have his jobs done hassle-free.

Following the arrest of Bangladesh lawmaker, the allegations against the Kuwait’s local politicians were thrust into the limelight. Kuwait parliament, news media and social media platforms became active over the issue.

One of the Kuwait’s parliamentary committees has already recommended removing privileges of the accused MPs.

The bribery topic has already been enlisted into the order of day of parliament which is scheduled be discussed on Tuesday. If the recommendations are approved by Kuwaiti parliament, the investigative authority will have no bar to interrogate the MPs.

Citing the public prosecution, the Kuwaiti media outlets said Md Shahid Islam gave Tk 13.8 million (KD 50,000) as bribe to Kuwait’s south city area MP Saadoun Hammad-al-Otaibi through a Syrian agent.

Bangladesh MP confessed that he bribed the MP to get invoices of his work hassle-free.

Kuwaiti media also said Shahid’s firm Marafia Kuwaitia has been working as a cleaner agent at different government offices there. A large number of Bangladesh nationals are employed to the organisation. Shahid also bribed MP Salah Abdul Rekha Khurshid Tk 102.1 million (KD 370,000) in a bid to recruit Bangladeshis to the organisation without any approval.

During the interrogation, as published by the media, Shahid also confessed that many people helped him out in this purpose. He used to lend money to the government officials in hard cash or in cheque. They were also given expensive gift.