Most of the 40 members of the Federal National Council are eager to take a turn to speak, but some play a bigger role than others during public hearings. Although at first the three reappointed members took the lead as new members were settling in, the tables soon turned. Ola Salem profiles the five most vocal members, based on public sessions and the questions that they raised over the past two years.
Ali Al Nuaimi (appointed member from Ajman)
In two years, Mr Al Nuaimi has questioned ministers 17 times, more than anyone else in the council.
A veteran of the banking sector, he has raised issues ranging from women’s rights at work and at home to challenges facing the economy and consumers.
His focus, however, has been raising issues he has encountered and witnessed in his 25 years in banking, and putting ministers on the spot in public hearings.
Hamad Al Rahoomi (elected member from Dubai)
Mr Al Rahoomi has put 13 questions to ministers in the past two years.
After almost a month of running a successful but draining election campaign, he joined the council full of energy and became the first member to question a minister in the autumn of 2011.
When a ship carrying tonnes of diesel sank off the coast of Umm Al Qaiwain, Mr Al Rahoomi was assured by the Minister of Environment and Water that the ship was being monitored and there would not be any leak. Mr Al Rahoomi remained unconvinced, fearing strong waves could cause an oil spill, and he was proved correct.
As an active participant on Twitter, he has also brought a number of young people’s concerns to the council, including a call for a mandatory dress code.
Mosabeh Al Kitbi (elected member from Sharjah)
Mr Al Kitbi has put 11 questions to ministers. As with other new council members, a slow start was followed by a strong presence.
The questions he has raised have focused on Emiratisation and high unemployment rates, which led him to develop a plan, along with other members, to Emiratise all government-sector jobs, subsidise private-sector jobs for citizens, help working women and build strong family units.
The proposals are being reviewed by the Cabinet.
Ahmed Al Shamsi (appointed member from Ajman)
During his two years as a council member, Mr Al Shamsi has consistently made numerous stands in the council.
Although he is in fourth place on our list with seven questions posed to ministers, his voice echoes in the council chambers during almost every session, in legislative or public debates following parliamentary questions.
At times when the council’s work was slow, he questioned the government over the lack of cooperation, and never shied away from voicing his concerns and being the opposing opinion in debates.
Marwan bin Ghalita and Dr Abdullah Al Shamsi (Elected members from Dubai and Ajman)
Mr Ghalita and Dr Al Shamsi have each put five questions to ministers in the past two years.
While Mr Ghalita focuses on checking institutions — their goals, objectives and how they plan to reach them to ensure citizens receive the best services — Dr Al Shamsi, a retiree himself, has persistently looked to secure more rights for old age pensioners.
Dr Al Shamsi has passionately made a number of stands in the council calling for pensions to be raised for those who retired before 2008 and are paid less than those who retired later. He also wants to link pension payments to inflation.
