MANAMA: The Cabinet on Sunday reaffirmed government’s unwavering support to combat terrorism and resolve to take the measures it deems necessary to safeguard security and stability across the Kingdom.
His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired at the Gudaibiya Palace, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, the regular weekly cabinet meeting.
Following the Cabinet meeting Secretary-General of Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Naser issued a detailed statement highlighting the major decisions taken by the Cabinet.
Dr. Al-Naser said that the cabinet discussed amending the Law on Protecting the Community against Terrorist Acts, submitted by the Interior Minister.
Under the amendment, tougher penalties will be inflicted on those who violate the law through resisting its enforcement personnel using violence or threats, as well as those who train people to manufacture and use weapons or explosives inside and outside the kingdom.
It also allows taking preventive measures to thwart terrorist incidents.
The amendment was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.
HRH Premier commended the efforts of the Minister of Interior and the Interior Ministry for arresting those involved in the recent terror attacks in Daih, which led to the martyrdom of a number of policemen in a record time, reassuring the Bahraini community, and enforcing the law.
HRH Premier issued directives to promptly carry out fair trials and sentences against terrorism and terrorists in order to maintain the security and safety of the homeland.
The cabinet expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to all brotherly and friendly countries, as well as Arab, Islamic and international organisations, for supporting Bahrain and backing its measures to protect its security and stability.
The cabinet expressed utmost thanks and appreciation to brotherly UAE whose officer martyred while assuming his duty of defending the rights and protecting innocent people, within the Amwaj Al-Khaleej forces emanating from the Joint GCC Security Agreement.
The Cabinet discussed and approved a memorandum on amending some of the provisions of Decree No. (5) for the year 2013 concerning the establishment of the Supreme Council for Health (SCH).
Under the amendment, a Secretariat-General of the SCH, concerned with the technical and administrative affairs, as well as the follow-up on the implementation of its decisions and recommendations in coordination with the concerned authorities, will be set up.
The Cabinet decided to refer the memo to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for further review.
The Cabinet also discussed and approved a memorandum on regulations governing the use of the money of the Labour Fund.
The Draft Decree aims to establish a legal framework for the best use of Labour Funds to achieve sustainability, continuity and support the national economy.
The Council of Ministers also endorsed a plan to create a strategic store of medicines that covers the Kingdom’s needs in emergency cases for six months.
The Cabinet reviewed a memorandum presented by the Minister of State for Defence Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Health on the achievements of the Council during 2013.
The report outlined the most important achievements of the Council in supporting and developing the health care system in the Kingdom during 2013. They include controlling cost in government hospitals, developing health information system, adopting the policy of providing treatment abroad for Bahraini patients to whom the needed treatment is not available in the hospitals in Bahrain, supporting the integration of health services among medical institutions and applying and developing quality assurance in government and private hospitals.
The Cabinet also discussed and approved the memorandum presented by the Minister of Transportation concerning Bahrain’s hosting of the World Conference of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), from September 15 to 17, 2014, and requested the ministry to take the necessary procedures.
Another memo, presented by the Transportation Minister on signing a new air transport agreement with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was also reviewed and referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.
The new agreement will replace the existing one signed between the two countries on February 17, 1975.
The cabinet also discussed and referred a memo presented by the Human Rights Affairs Minister on ways of enabling NGOs to participate in the High Coordinating Committee for Human Rights, established as per Edict 50/2012.
The Council of Ministers discussed the rising costs of hiring foreign domestic maids, and requested the Labour Minister to conduct a study and submit a report.
The issue was proposed by the Representatives Council.
Another proposal on including the provisions of the Family Law in secondary schools curricula was also endorsed, Dr. Al-Naser said.