Daim seeks meeting with PM on CEP’s future role

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Daim Zainuddin said he plans to meet Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to find out what the future holds for the Council of Eminent Persons ( CEP) now that its 100- day mandate has ended.

He said the CEP would submit a report containing its recommendations to Dr Mahathir upon the latter’s return from China. Dr Mahathir concludes his five- day official visit to China today.

“Our mandate is for 100 days, our last day was yesterday ( Sunday). When he ( Dr Mahathir) comes back, I will make an appointment to see him and consult him about what role he has in mind (for the CEP),” Daim told a press conference here yesterday.

The former finance minister noted that as far as the CEP team was concerned, they had finished their 100- day task and that “everybody has gone back to their respective jobs”.

Dr Mahathir had on Thursday said that the CEP would not be disbanded as yet as its services were still needed.

Daim pointed out that CEP members were volunteers who had, at certain points, worked until 4am to complete the report.

“If the prime minister wants to extend its (the CEP’s) term; they (its members) are employed elsewhere. They are volunteers (at the CEP); they have to return to their jobs. I feel the government has to consider this,” he said.

On whether he was open to the idea that the CEP become a permanent feature, Daim said: “In life, nothing is permanent except paying taxes.”

On claims that the CEP had been bestowed with too much power, Daim disagreed, saying that the council’s role was only to gather and analyse information and offer advice.

The CEP was formed on May 12 by Dr Mahathir to act as the advisor on economic, financial and other matters.