‘Cabinet members must learn on the job quickly’

The best way for the many inexperienced ministers and their deputies in the current administration to manage their portfolios effectively is for them to be on a steep learning curve.

Prime-minister-in-waiting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said while he did not discount the role being played by the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP), members of the cabinet must open themselves to the views and opinions of those with sound knowledge of areas under their purview.

“My advice to the cabinet is to be fast on the learning, listen a bit more and be more circumspect before making quick pronouncements and then backtracking the next day. These things must be avoided.

“I do not have a position (in the government) but I spend hours listening to economic reports, papers presented, economic policy reviews.

“That is what you need to do. We need to listen to many quarters, not only CEP but others too. To digest (their views),” he said.

Anwar said he recognised that it was the prerogative of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to decide on the CEP.

“We give the prerogative to Dr Mahathir to determine the structure that he feels suitable.

“He has a cabinet and he feels he needs CEP. Now in the new administration, there are many differing opinions.

“It is past 100 days (of Pakatan Harapan’s administration) and Dr Mahathir had said CEP would continue while (CEP member and economist) Jomo (Kwame Sundaram) said there’s no need to continue, so we must look into the situation closely.

“But with regard to my stance, we give the prerogative to Dr Mahathir. If he feels there is a need for such a group of advisers, then continue with it,” said Anwar, adding that he was against the idea of the cabinet setting up their own advisory council.

“I do not believe that is the best option as there are hundreds of groups (specialising) in education, health, or the economy.”

My advice to the cabinet is to be fast on the learning, listen a bit more and be more circumspect before making quick pronouncements and then backtracking the next day.