Sami Gemayel Urges Vote on New Electoral Law: Solution to Pay Raise in Privatizing Electricity
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Kataeb bloc MP Sami Gemayel called on Wednesday for voting on a new electoral law before electing a news president, considering also that the solution to funding the new wage scale lies in privatizing the electricity sector.
"There is an issue that we have to deal with as MPs, and which has been ignored by everyone,” Gemayel remarked at a press conference.
"And this issue concerns agreeing on a new electoral law before falling into the same trap again,” he clarified.
"We warn everyone that if voting on a new electoral law does not take place before the vote on a new president, we will hence be jeopardizing democracy.”
He continued: “We urge Speaker (Nabih) Berri to put all suggested drafts on the parliament's agenda before calling for a session to elect a new president, and this is to assure that we are on schedule and respecting constitutional and legal deadlines.”
“And we will then submit our nominations for parliamentary elections based on the law that gathers the majority of support on August 18,” the Kataeb MP added.
“We have to agree on a modern electoral law, or else we will hold the polls based on an old one.”
Gemayel noted that agreeing on such a law is not a requirement for calling for a parliamentary session.
“The constitution stipulates that the electoral law is considered a regular law, and hence it requires the votes of a simple majority,” he pointed out.
Separately, the young MP addressed the Syndicate Coordination Committee's “rightful demands” of approving the contentious new wage scale, calling for the privatization of the electricity sector as a solution for funding the pay raise.
"If we take a look at the Budget, we can notice that the state spends money on three issues; the public debt, the salaries of public employees and which amount to huge sums, and paying the deficit in the electricity sector which is estimated at two billion dollars,” Gemayel explained.
“We have to deal with Lebanon's electricity problem as this is the only solution if we wanted to act seriously and avoid dragging the country into a huge crisis,” he stressed, calling for the privatization of the electricity sector.
He then added that the second solution to the new wage scale's “problem” lies in paying customs fees' equally.
He considered that addressing the revenues issue is happening in “a random manner,” rejecting making people “pay for the pay raise through taxation.”
“We cannot ask public employees not to accept bribes and to commit to the working hours unless their salaries are sufficient. We are today stressing on their rightful demands and we hope this issue is dealt with responsibly,” he said.
S.D.B.
M.T.
09 April 2014, 17:51
26
100% agree cheikh sami.
You always put your finger on the issue while the other politicians beat around the bush.
09 April 2014, 20:00
44
@ibinharathreik, you would be incorrect, the Republicans have proposed multiple alternative health care solutions (non of them perfect mind you) but they were all shot down by the liberal progressive cancer eating our country and society part and parcel. Do you want to know why? Because the part of society that wants something for nothing and their counterparts in the ruling class who want them dependent on government handouts for the rest of their lives agree that those who work their buns off and pay their own way must share their wealth with lazy womb to tomb mentally retarded people. They've tried this approach in Europe and in Canada and the horrors speak for themselves. Please check your facts before you go on the attack.
09 April 2014, 20:55
42
Thank you for the labels: "typical republican response". I learned a long time ago never to attempt to reason with unreasonable people. A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but to waste time on a mind programed not to receive, is time very badly wasted. I came to the US at the age of 16 by myself as an exchange student with $500 in my pocket. I never borrowed a dime from the government, I cleaned toilets, scrubbed sinks and tubs, waited on tables, parked cars and worked as a doorman until I graduated college...then I made my life with my own two hands....you don't know, don't you dare call me a republican or anything else. You have no right! This country is built on capitalism, not handouts, if you beg to differ, feel free to cleanse your soul from Amrika el sheitan and pack up and return to wherever you came from. Plenty of room to reform healthcare and make it better for all but turn it over to the government to implement it and the IRS to enforce is a crime! Good day sir!
09 April 2014, 18:03
25
FT. Spare me the conspiracy theory. As long as EDL is a public company, it WILL be a badly run company swallowing 2 Billion dollars a year from the government and without providing real services to clients.
Look at libanpost. It is employing lebanese, it is making profits, paying taxes and not costing the treasury money. But Amal does not want to privatize EDL because Nabih is making money out of mazout for private generators trade (together with jumblat and franjieh)
09 April 2014, 18:18
36
FT
Wrong. EDL cannot employ foreigners. EDL, well run needs plenty of engineers (lebanese staff)- a call center (lebanese staff), technicians (lebanese staff). But instead of paying gas and a car and a salary to contractual to take readings and collect bills, you could invest in modern electricity meters, read meters right from EDL and sms the dues to subscribers. You know how much u would save in inefficiencies?
True i appreciate gemayel. But it is not abt gemayel. It is about someone having the chutzpah to point out where our money is being drained to.
09 April 2014, 18:26
26
The points I raised were an answer to the "srilankization" risk that you issued.
Lebanese people will hold diddly accountable. Public companies are subject to the vagaries of politics and hence will not be run correctly. The only way to go is privatize and REGULATE. Because the job of government is to regulate. not to have a bunch of government thieves operating a 4 Billion dollar company.
10 April 2014, 04:37
11
You hit the nail on the headd lf.
Not only Berri is profiting from the mazout, but he also has thousands of his cronies employed and drawing salaries. These thousands are part of his voters base. Most of them have no real work to do and are not qualified for any real work to be done........ but can you blame him for using public funds to boost his own popularity? Look how many posters here do not see anything wrong with that.
09 April 2014, 18:05
35
I see you are working hard on a smear campaign with no substance. what stated above is nothing more than defamation of character due to fear of a young man outshining corrupt losers with no self respect who only judge victories by how much they collect regardless of which direction they had to bend to get it. sorry bud, but Samy is as clean as a politician gets and unless you can show the slightest particle of proof to the rubbish you listed above, then all you have are lies based on desperation.
09 April 2014, 18:27
36
the proof of what I am saying is clear in Aoun's actions. He sent a message to Harriri that he will not run for president unless he (harriri) nominates him. I do recall Aoun stating that Harriri got a one way ticket. seems to me like it is no longer one and that Aoun cannot be president without Harriri's approval. If that isn't the definition of bending over, then you need a lot of help understanding life my friend. Also, do you mind showing me any proof of Sami stealing anything in the past. I will make it easier for you, show me one time he was ever accused or someone even requested that an investigation be launched against him. I will even take a statement by any one of your FPM buddies.
09 April 2014, 18:08
29
@FT : yes, the internet sucks ... but if you think of blaming Butros Harb for this, you will make my week :)
09 April 2014, 18:08
28
Solution :
1- Privatise
2- Fire everyone
3- Hire clean staff amongst which old can be eligible through strict screening
4- Legally Enforce collection in zones known for not paying their bills (ie Dahyé)
5- Enhance electricity distribution where over 50% of production never reaches the end user because of innefficiencies
09 April 2014, 18:19
10
and if i ever considered taking you seriously again, its now completely gone with that last statement. ma ahdamak when you're trying to be subtle :)
09 April 2014, 18:22
27
can you remind everyone what happened last time the power was cut to the non paying law abiding citizens that you so highly praise as defenders of Lebanon? my memory is a bit vague but I seem recall tires burning, streets blocked, shots fired. I'm sure your memory is better than mine, why don't you remind everyone?
09 April 2014, 18:32
26
you can do better than that bud. I know you remember. It is enough for me to know that you are aware of what I referring to. Privatize the darn thing, make everyone pay their bill regardless of who they are and move on. end of story.
09 April 2014, 19:01
27
Lebanon has no hope as long as we have the FT's roaming our streets freely.
09 April 2014, 19:34
23
Jerry, I said exactly the same about him, few months back. And the more you insult him, the more he excels in his knowledge.
BTW, he was released from asfourieh for annoying too much the other patients
09 April 2014, 19:34
24
at least he is proposing things... what do hezbis propose for the lebanese economy? nothing... just destruction ....
09 April 2014, 20:10
14
@MP Gemayel, wallow? "We cannot ask public employees not to accept bribes and to commit to the working hours unless their salaries are sufficient" We shouldn't have to ask anyone not to accept bribes or stay and work their full schedule. It is illegal, immoral and down right criminal to accept bribes or not work a full shift. I am not familiar with their cause and they may very well be due a raise but rationalizing bribery to make their case? La2 3eib, ma bi sir heik 7akeh! Wein el sharraf? Walaow?
09 April 2014, 20:38
13
right on Bandoul
no more sharaf as it seems to me bribery corruption theft are the norm.... pity the nation
09 April 2014, 23:15
12
Yep. People should be adequately compensated for an honest day's work.
09 April 2014, 20:21
34
FT, I must disagree with you here. I understand what Sami is saying, EDL must be privatized and No, Sami is not the kind to want to wiggle himself as you want us to believe. Demianos suggested the same years ago and even yesterday he was on NTV giving us great suggestions. EDL is a hog, over abused to the point where to improve it will kill our resident mafia, you know well whom I am alluding to. Privatization will also kill off all those who tap and steal from EDL's power posts. Then sorry to negate your claim again, since M14 returned to cabinet, power has seen a marked improvement, the moteur bill expected to drop dramatically, and the internet contrary to what you said has returned back to speeds many times better than when Sehnaoui was minister. Just goes to defeat all the claims that M8 worked better. Leave M14 to work freely and results will come quickly. Now it's time to raise the GDP too.
09 April 2014, 20:35
33
Ft, on this post I say yes, my full agreement, but you know that umbilical chord, let's cut it too.
09 April 2014, 23:43
24
Go Flame Go!!!!
31 comments on this article alone!!!
Amazing how such a productive and important person has time to post so many comments on every article every day, especially on a website he says is biased against him, and replying to all other posters comments, which requires such vigilance and devotion.
The dedication you show to your job is truly commendable.
We should offer a special prize to the person who posts the most comments on each article, and call it the "Flamethrower Award", in honor of our most prolific commenter.
10 April 2014, 02:17
02
@flamethrower, how can you judge Sami Gemayel like that? you say he can own shares by privatizing the electricity sector? please explan to me how. He is the only one that suggested a law in order to stop the salaries for MPS until a new law for elections is implemented because of the illegal extension. He is also the only one that is making lebanese remember what they have forgotten, which is that we have had no elections! He is totally right, we should have a new law before a president. Having the same bunch of creeps with a new president does change anything....
10 April 2014, 02:24
02
@ Flamethrower, in fact, it would be better to focus on new elections and then elect a president, the mps are scared because they know if our people have a little bit of brains, neither march 14th or march 8th mps should be elected again, only very few of them that are actually working for the people. And by the way, i have been reading your comments throughout months, although you support march 8th, and i dont, ( neither all of march 14th) ihad found that you had lots of nice arguments, but it seems you are resorting to insults on others these days. Like for ibnharethreik, im not defending him, but lets keep it to a decent level of communication and disagreement, i know there are several retards from both camps commenting here,i have seen that, but well, indifference is the best way for insects to disappear
10 April 2014, 05:48
14
roar wolf josephani mystic and whatever other screen names you have, get a life. You have been exposed several times yet you continue with your repulsive games of hate.
10 April 2014, 10:20
02
Privatizing electricity is the only way.. I mean COME ON!!! 80% of the public debt comes from EDL's losses.. Renewing its CEO's term is a mockery, he might not be given all the tools to succeed but he still is the head of this bankrupt, corrupt, mismanaged organization...
Between $1 billion and $2 billion in yearly losses since 1994. That's 20 years or $30-40 Billion.. So privatize it for God's sake...
10 April 2014, 12:35
13
lol, stop complaining! You know damn well why your posts are deleted. They have nothing to do with your political views and have everything to do with your manners or lack of. You offend every poster with bad language and your arrogance knows no limits. Again, if you feel harmed here, don't post because honestly you offer nothing of value.
10 April 2014, 16:01
21
I hate to burst your bubble but a comment of mine was deleted as well and it had zero insults in it. This isn't a conspiracy against the valiant and patriotic M8 who are always a victim of society. This is simply the work of lazy mods who delete comments based on reports as apposed to taking the time to read them. It is a staple of the Lebanese work force. Lazy, under-qualified and did I mention lazy?
10 April 2014, 16:06
00
witty comment...str8 on. And also. u forgot to mention Lazy....
(I love ur avatar, but hate your name btw)
10 April 2014, 16:29
10
Thank you Lebanon_first. That name is a result of my frustration with several traits we Lebanese seem to posses.
1. The lack of common sense.
2. the abundance of arrogance and aloofness
3. the majority of the population continually looks down upon 1st world countries while remaining as a 3rd world country,.
4. Most importantly, the day Pierre died, Lebanon lost all hope of coming out of this muck we pretend to be a country.
