CEP TO CONTINUE BUT ROLE WILL BE DIFFERENT, SAYS DR MAHATHIR

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the services of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) are still needed, but in a different role.

He said CEP was needed because “many of our cabinet ministers are new and without experience”.

He said he would speak to CEP members soon on the new roles.

“CEP will still be headed by Tun Daim Zainuddin, but I am finding a new role for them. I need constant analysis of what’s happening to our economy,” he said.

Speaking after the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) townhall with the party’s division leaders here, Dr Mahathir was asked to comment on why he needed CEP when he had a cabinet.

He said that he needed to work fast, and this meant he required the help of CEP.

“Some of the CEP members have experience and the cabinet ministers are new. I need people with experience to solve things.

“The new ministers are still finding their way at their ministries and familiarising themselves with their responsibilities.”

The CEP concluded its 100days mandate last Friday.

Earlier this week, Daim said the council held its final meeting on Aug 17 after fulfilling the mandate given to it within the specified period.

“Our work is done. All the mandates given have been completed. All suggestions will be presented in a report to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad upon his return from China,” Daim had said.

However, prior to that, Dr Mahathir had said CEP’s services might be extended.

The council was set up by Dr Mahathir on May 12 to advise him on socio-economic and financial matters.

Its members include former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former Petronas president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Hassan Marican, billionaire Robert Kuok and economist Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram.