THE government’s Economic Action Council was formed not because of the cabinet’s failings but because people’s concerns needed to be urgently addressed, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

He also said the council was his idea and that he had suggested it at a Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting on strengthening the country’s economy.

Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, was responding to former journalist and party colleague, A.Kadir Jasin, who wrote a blog post that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had set up the council because the cabinet was inadequate in addressing people’s grouses.

“My friend (Kadir) should have not said that. The council is a combination of those who can help build our economy.

“It was my idea in the presidential meeting and I know what is happening so I came up with the suggestion. Tun Mahathir accepted it, and yesterday the names were announced.

“If he (Kadir) wants to say that it was because our weaknesses, that is not true. This is not a first-time initiative,” he added.

Kadir had said Dr Mahathir was personally unhappy with the current administration, who were “busy taking selfies” and focusing on petty matters.

“The reality is that after more than eight months of administering the country, the PH government has not managed to show results.

“We don’t need to dillydally as more and more people are getting upset with the PH government’s performance, including members of the cabinet and the civil service,” Kadir wrote.

Dr Mahathir announced the formation of the 16-member council yesterday, amid signs of growing of dissatisfaction among people over bread-and-butter issues.

The council members include Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking, Works Minister Baru Bian, economic adviser Muhammed Abdul Khalid, former trade minister Rafidah Aziz, Permodalan Nasional Bhd chairman Zeti Akhtar Aziz and former Council of Eminent Persons member Jomo Kwame Sundaram.

The council also includes Public Bank managing director Tay Ah Lek, Mara chairman Hasnita Hashim, Bursa Malaysia chairman Shireen Ann Zaharah Muhiudeen, Asean Business Advisory Council chairman Mohd Munir Abdul Majid, Federation of Malaysian Consumers’ Associations CEO Paul Selvaraj, lawyer Bah Tony and Institut MASA board of trustees member Nizam Mahshar. – February 12, 2019.