Don't Be Fooled: Kuwait Police Will Never Do a Video Call
Authorities stress that the Kuwait Police will never contact individuals through video or voice calls to request personal information. All official notifications and violation records are handled securely through the Sahel app. Expats are urged not to respond to such calls and to report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities.
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Kuwait News Agency
2 days ago
- Kuwait News Agency
Official: MoI's strategy enhances security, aligns with Kuwait 2035 vision
الأمن KUWAIT, July 30 (KUNA) -- The official spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier Nasser Abu-Slaib, confirmed Tuesday that the ministry's strategic plan aims to enhance the security system and keep pace with modern changes, in line with the goals of the 'New Kuwait 2035' vision. This came during a visual presentation by Abu-Slaib, titled "Laws - Numbers - Achievements 2025", where he reviewed the strategic plan and legislative amendments to traffic, residency, and drug laws, in addition to the digital transformation that enabled 37 electronic services through the "Sahel" application, with transactions exceeding 30.8 million. He pointed to the biometric fingerprint project that has provided a database for over 16 million people, which is automatically linked with the state ministries, enhancing the procedures for identity verification and security at the borders. He explained that the new drug law aims to reduce use and trafficking by tightening penalties and expanding security powers, as 1,451 cases and 11 drug-related deaths were recorded in the first half of 2025. Abu-Slaib also reviewed the changes to visa residency services, with the launch of the e-visa platform KUWAIT VISA, which allows obtaining entry visas to the country, including the tourist visa, family visa, business visa, and government visa. In addition, he highlighted the innovation of the Kuwait Coast Guard through the inauguration of smart unmanned boats that enhance maritime security and allow them to operate for several days without direct human intervention. He pointed out the new Kuwaiti flag law, which aims to protect the symbolism of the national flag, regulate its use at events, and prohibit the raising of foreign flags or religious or sectarian slogans without official permission. (end)
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's security plan for 2025 aims to support safer tourism, investment climate: Interior Ministry
Still-in-progress drug law proposes harsher penalties, better support for addicts: Official KUWAIT: Kuwait's Ministry of Interior reviewed the implementation of sweeping legal, digital, and security reforms under its 2025 strategic plan during a media briefing on Wednesday. The plan aims to create a safer, more attractive environment for investment and tourism while strengthening the country's security apparatus, he said. 'Our strategic plan is designed to keep pace with social, economic, and technological changes,' said Brig Gen Nasser Buslaib, Director General of Relations and Media at the ministry. 'It boosts our ability to respond effectively to new developments and ensures that the security establishment is fully aligned with the New Kuwait 2035 vision.' Harsher drug law He outlined amendments to Kuwait's traffic and residency laws, with upcoming changes to narcotics legislation still in progress. 'The plan aims to reinforce justice and protection for both citizens and residents and close legal loopholes to safeguard against exploitation and abuse,' he said. Buslaib noted that the new residency law addresses labor market demands, protects worker and employer rights, and includes clear regulations to combat human trafficking. He also highlighted the e-visa platform—Kuwait Visa—which streamlines access to various visa types, including tourism, business, and family visit visas. He previewed the forthcoming drug law, which aims to crack down on trafficking and improve support for addicts. The law proposes 'harsher penalties for drug-related crimes' and grants authorities expanded powers to dismantle trafficking networks. It also outlines a national rehab and reintegration plan for addicts. The law's first draft was completed in April and submitted to the Cabinet for review. In 2024, 39 drug-related deaths were recorded. In just the first half of 2025, the ministry reported 1,451 drug cases, 261 addiction complaints, 1,864 accused individuals and 11 deaths. 16.3m biometrics A key focus of the ministry's efforts has been digital transformation. According to Buslaib, the ministry now offers 37 services through the 'Sahel' app, with over 30 million transactions processed. 'This transition has simplified transactions, reducing the need to physically visit government agencies for paperwork,' he said. The ministry has also ramped up biometric data collection, registering over 16.3 million biometric fingerprints covering citizens, residents, and visitors. 'This project boosts border security and helps detect identity fraud,' Buslaib added. 'It has already helped reduce document forgery and raised operational efficiency at borders and airports. It also helped authorities find wanted individuals, protecting society from crime.' Drop in violations He also introduced the Coast Guard's new unmanned smart boats, capable of long missions without human operators. These vessels conduct surveillance, track suspicious maritime activity, and support rescue operations—enhancing maritime security and protecting natural resources. Meanwhile, traffic law amendments—implemented in April—have had measurable impact, said Buslaib. The use of AI-powered cameras and stricter penalties for reckless driving led to an 83 percent drop in speed and red-light violations, 75 percent drop in seatbelt and mobile phone offenses, and 55 percent reduction in fatal traffic accidents. 'In 2024, we averaged 300 accidents a day,' he said. 'Most of them—90 percent—were due to driver distraction. The amendments have increased awareness among drivers, leading to a drop in these numbers.' — Agencies
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Arab Times
MoI's strategy enhances security, aligns with 'New Kuwait 2035' vision
KUWAIT CITY, July 30: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) is actively advancing its security framework to keep pace with modern developments and align with the long-term goals of the 'New Kuwait 2035' vision, Brigadier Nasser Abu-Slaib, the official spokesman for the ministry, confirmed on Tuesday. During a detailed presentation titled 'Laws – Numbers – Achievements 2025,' Abu-Slaib reviewed the MoI's comprehensive strategic plan, highlighting key legislative amendments to traffic, residency, and narcotics laws, as well as the ministry's ongoing digital transformation efforts. The 'Sahel' unified government application now provides 37 electronic services, facilitating more than 30.8 million transactions, underscoring the shift towards seamless digital governance. A significant milestone is the biometric fingerprint project, which has compiled a database exceeding 16 million individuals. This biometric system is fully integrated with various state ministries, streamlining identity verification processes and bolstering border security. Abu-Slaib elaborated on the new drug law currently under development, designed to curb narcotics use and trafficking by imposing stricter penalties and expanding law enforcement powers. In the first half of 2025, authorities recorded 1,451 drug-related cases and 11 fatalities linked to substance abuse. The MoI also launched the electronic visa platform, KUWAIT VISA, which simplifies the process of obtaining various types of entry permits, including tourist, family, business, and government visas. Innovation in maritime security was another highlight, with the Kuwait Coast Guard unveiling smart unmanned boats capable of operating autonomously for extended periods. These vessels enhance maritime surveillance, support search and rescue missions, monitor environmental pollution, and reinforce the security of Kuwait's territorial waters. Abu-Slaib also discussed the recently enacted Kuwaiti Flag Law, aimed at protecting the national emblem's dignity. The law regulates flag usage during events, prohibits unauthorized display of foreign flags or sectarian slogans, and forbids raising torn or damaged flags, promoting national unity and respect. Brigadier Abu-Slaib emphasized that the MoI's strategic plan is designed to adapt to evolving social, economic, and technological realities. The plan seeks to promote justice, safeguard the rights of citizens and residents, close legal loopholes, and foster equality while protecting against exploitation and violations. The strategy also prioritizes creating a secure and investor-friendly environment, which will stimulate capital inflows into development projects and strengthen Kuwait's tourism sector. Additionally, the plan includes enhancing legal controls to protect lives and property, supported by advanced technological tools. Regarding the biometric fingerprint initiative, Abu-Slaib noted that Kuwait now maintains 16,371,153 civil fingerprints covering citizens, residents, and visitors. A separate database includes records of citizens, residents, illegal residents, and visitors totaling 5,381,457 individuals. This project reduces identity fraud, expedites transactions, and improves the detection of wanted individuals at borders and airports. In digital transformation, the MoI's 'Sahel' app has revolutionized service delivery, enabling citizens and residents to complete thousands of transactions without in-person visits. The platform will soon incorporate additional digital services from the ministry. The presentation also highlighted the transformative impact of residency law amendments and digital upgrades on the Residency Affairs Departments. The new law aligns with labor market needs, strengthens the economy, protects worker and employer rights, defines clear obligations, and combats human trafficking with strict penalties. These measures enhance Kuwait's international reputation and support its status as a global financial hub. Abu-Slaib detailed the pending amendment to the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, aimed at restricting drug trade and abuse. The law grants wider powers to security agencies to dismantle trafficking networks and includes integrated prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation plans. In 2024, 39 deaths were attributed to narcotics, while the first half of 2025 saw 1,451 cases, 261 addiction complaints, 1,864 defendants, and 11 deaths, highlighting the urgency of these reforms. Regarding maritime security, the General Directorate of Coast Guard has made a significant leap by deploying smart unmanned marine boats. These vessels perform continuous reconnaissance, track suspicious targets, assist search and rescue operations, monitor environmental threats, and enhance security in Kuwait's territorial waters without direct human control for extended durations. On traffic safety, Abu-Slaib reviewed amendments imposing harsher penalties for serious violations such as speeding and running red lights. Technological tools including artificial intelligence cameras and smart apps are used to enforce laws effectively. Since the new traffic law took effect on April 22, 2025, speeding and red-light violations have dropped by 83%, seatbelt and mobile phone infractions by 75%, and traffic-related deaths by 55%. The amendments also fostered a culture of road safety, reducing daily accidents from approximately 300 in 2024, 90% of which were caused by distractions. Finally, Abu-Slaib addressed the amendments to the Kuwaiti Flag Law issued on June 8, which safeguard the national symbol from misuse. The law prohibits raising foreign flags without a permit, except during international sports events in Kuwait. It also bans continuous display of the national flag on private buildings or commercial use, forbids raising the flag if damaged, and restricts flags or slogans with religious, sectarian, or tribal meanings, except for official sports club logos. The Ministry of Interior's multifaceted strategic plan underscores its commitment to safeguarding Kuwait's security, promoting justice, and supporting the nation's vision for 2035.
