Malaysian ministers deny Council of Eminent Persons dictates policies to govt

PUTRAJAYA — In response to opposition claims that Malaysia's Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) dictates policies to Putrajaya, Malaysia's Cabinet ministers have denied being under the thumb of the council, saying it merely made recommendations to the Cabinet and provided valuable input for ministers to act on.

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali stressed that role of the CEP, put in place after the May 9 General Election by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, was only to study reports and give "recommendations", which was subject to Cabinet endorsement.

"The whole council acts as a group, not as individuals.

"They put up various suggestions for the government, then we can decide to accept or agree or otherwise. It is not true that the CEP dictates policy to the administration," he told The Malaysian Insight.

On Tuesday, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa alleged that the CEP's powers superseded even the authority of ministers.

Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin also claimed in Parliament that former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, who heads the CEP, was overstepping his boundaries.

He said the CEP was making decisions for the government despite being "unelected and unaccountable".

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub said the CEP did not call the shots, but the ministers welcomed inputs from the council as they were well versed on a variety of subjects.

"This is our new approach. What's wrong if we have the CEP giving advice as they are qualified, experienced and are masters in their own fields," he said.

The Amanah lawmaker also said Tun Daim's vast experience in managing the economy in the past is needed to rebuild the government.

"Daim can give us advice and certain ideas. The system and his opinions still need to be endorsed by the cabinet," Datuk Salahuddin said.

International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking said instead of alleging that the CEP and Mr Daim is controlling the government, Umno MPs should look at their own party, which he claimed is still controlled by former prime minister Najib Razak.

"There is no truth in what they are alleging about the CEP and its influence on the Cabinet. They should worry that Najib is still controlling them," he told The Malaysian Insight.

The ministers also said that the CEP's tenure will end after Pakatan Harapan completes 100 days in government, and was not a permanent fixture of the administration.

The CEP members are Mr Daim, former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, tycoon Robert Kwok, former Petronas chief executive Hassan Marican and prominent economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram.

Since its formation, the council has held scores of meetings with government officials and various pressure groups.

The council – formed just days after PH swept its rival coalition Barisan Nasional out of government in a surprise electoral win – also looks after the Institutional Reforms Committee and the committee looking into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT