A Bit of the Democracy Story from Kuwait

Kuwait is also actively involved in peace efforts and conflict mediation. Like Indonesia on the issue of Palestine, Kuwait also funds the Kuwait Hospital in the Gaza Strip.

During my visit to the country upon invitation from the Kuwaiti Government ahead of Eid al-Fitr in early April 2024, I saw that the residents in the Gulf State seemed busy. Various new cars made by American manufacturer General Motors, European, Japanese, and South Korean brands were seen passing through the highways.

What is interesting is that with the reconciliation and dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran mediated by China, Chinese automakers, including Hongqi, are also present in Kuwait. In China, Hongqi is the presidential and high-ranking officials' car.

At Mall 360 Kuwait, which is in the same complex as the Grand Hyatt Hotel and the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, you can see the showroom for China's proud car, Hongqi. Hong Qi showed off several types of cars from luxury sedans to several types of SUVs.

A local salesman stated that the Hongqi luxury sedan is sold for over 30,000 Kuwaiti dinars or 90,000 US dollars (approximately 1.5 billion Indonesian Rupiah). "Kuwaiti people prefer the Hongqi SUV. Perhaps because it is used in places where the road conditions are sometimes less smooth," he said.

As Maghrib approaches, the iftar or breaking of the fast time arrives, and various restaurants, cafes, and hotels are filled with people breaking their fast with family, friends, and acquaintances. The menus served are from various Middle Eastern regions such as Turkey, Lebanon, the Gulf Arab states, and Indo-Pakistan. The servers and hotel staff also come from various countries, including Mongolia, Myanmar, Algeria, and Tunisia.

After breaking the fast, towards the night, residents come to the mosque. The loudspeaker is arranged in such a way that the tadarusan event takes place solemnly. Fajr, a local resident, said that in Kuwait, everyone is selected well to become a muazin and preacher.

The immigrant population in Kuwait reaches 70 percent of the total population, with a magnitude of 2.92 million people. The total population of Kuwait in 2023 is 4.3 million people. Kuwaiti citizens and immigrants live safely, peacefully, and amicably.

Ahmad, a driver with a bachelor's degree from the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, who drove me using a Kuwaiti Ministry of Information sedan, told me that he earns hundreds of Kuwaiti dinars or around 300 US dollars per month. He lives with other Bangladeshi migrant workers in a rented room.

The people of Kuwait have been practicing democracy in elections since the 1960s, originally only participated in by men, but since 2006, women have been able to participate as well.

In the 2008 election, 27 women in Kuwait ran as legislative candidates. However, none were elected at that time. Progress was made in the 2009 election, when four Kuwaiti women were elected as members of the legislative body.

The democratic process continues to progress. In 2024, the number of Kuwaiti citizens eligible to vote in the 2024 election reached 820,000 people.

In terms of the economy, Kuwait's per capita income in 2023 is recorded at 33,650 US dollars (equivalent to 525 million Rp). Kuwait is one of the wealthiest countries in the Arab world and a pioneer of democracy.

Kuwait is also active in various social missions and philanthropic activities in the field of education and assistance for orphans abroad.

Although prosperous and with high levels of education among its citizens as well as active in international humanitarian aid, Kuwait has its own challenges as a nation. Kuwait, as a democracy pendulum in the Middle East, often faces political impasse between the parliament (legislative) and the cabinet (executive).

Kuwait is one of the richest countries in the Arab world and a pioneer of democracy.

In less than four years, Kuwait has already held four parliamentary elections to choose members of the National Assembly, which consists of 50 members. The reason being, there is no consensus between the parliament and the cabinet in making policies.

When the deadlock occurred, the Kuwaiti Emir from the Al-Sabah family dissolved the parliament. Although at the elite level there have been repeated deadlocks between the executive and legislative branches, in the daily practice of Kuwaiti society, democracy is very much alive.

Women in Kuwait, both those who wear hijab and those who do not, appear to be free and interactive. Respect for traditional Arab customs, such as the social position of men and women, is still maintained.

According to Middle East expert at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Clemens Chay, the basis of society there is the diwaniyah. Diwaniyah is an institution similar to a community association that can be based on ethnicity.

Diwaniyah is dominated by male-only diwaniyahs. As it develops, female diwaniyahs have emerged. In the 2000s, women's diwaniyahs were initiated by activists from NGOs or female figures in the Kuwaiti government.

Lastly, although rare, there are inclusive councils in certain circles in Kuwait that allow men and women to discuss social issues together.

Democratic nature has always been alive in Kuwait. The Emir, as the highest ruler, can tolerate differences in views. Chay explains that Kuwait has been a trading nation via the sea even before the discovery and exploitation of oil in 1938 and the first oil export in 1946.

During that time, the emir and common nobles exchanged views with traders. The traders were somewhat like wealthy people or "orang kayo" in Minang tradition or other indigenous tribes in the archipelago.

"The group of merchant classes and Arab nationalists became the opposition voice in the 1960s and 1970s. Then, in the modern era, there are groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and tribal groups that become the opposition voice against the ruler," said Chay.

Various issues, such as financial crisis, allegations of election fraud, and non-violent citizen action, color the life of modern Kuwait. Democratic movements, such as the grassroots movement of Nabiha Khamsa in 2006, the effort to impeach PM Nasser al-Mohammad in 2009, and the movement to push for the formation of a fully functioning parliament before the 2012 election, have also emerged.

Dynamic changes continue to occur without violence. Emir Al-Sabah has been praised for providing a space for expression but still maintaining control. Leo Shahabian, an observer from the US CSIS, said that despite various impasses between parliament and the cabinet, Kuwait's efforts to maintain democracy and provide room for freedom serve as an example for the Middle East region.

In short, Kuwait today is a portrait of hope for modernization and a peaceful and democratic Middle East.