PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob should replace his three special advisers with well-qualified economic advisers in light of the deflating ringgit, DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng said today.

Lim said the Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected the country’s economy and Ismail should not be appointing people according to his whims and fancies.

“Inflation has deflated the value of the Malaysian ringgit, causing a rise in the prices of goods. 

“Therefore, if anything, Ismail should replace all three advisers with a team of well-qualified economic advisers to help the government bring the economy back on track,” he said in a statement.

The Kepong MP was responding to news on the appointment of yet another adviser to the prime minister, the latest one on religion.

Lim questioned the competency of Ismail’s ministers if he had to keep appointing special advisers.

“Why does the prime minister have to appoint three advisers, each costing RM50,000 a month, when there are already ministers advising him on religion, health, and both law and human rights?

“Does Ismail not trust his ministers to provide him the feedback he needs, or are they deemed to be incompetent?” Lim asked.

If indeed Ismail can no longer trust his colleagues, he can still call upon other officers, Lim added.

The latest to be appointed is Kedah Umno chief Jamil Khir Baharom, who is now special adviser on religion to the prime minister.

Jamil previously held the post of religious affairs minister in the Barisan Nasional government from 2008 to 2018.

Lim said it made no sense to appoint Jamil when just three months ago Senator Idris Ahmad was appointed as religious affairs minister.

“If he can no longer trust Idris because he is from PAS, the prime minister should replace him with Jamil. 

“Both the prime minister and Idris owe the public an explanation as it involves a lot of taxpayers’ money every month just to upkeep the two key positions, especially at times when people are trying to make ends meet.”

Prior to Jamil’s appointment last month, Ismail appointed former deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker Azalina Othman Said as special adviser for law and human rights.

Each of the prime minister’s advisers cost RM50,000 a month, according to a parliamentary written reply by Special Functions Minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad to the Dewan Rakyat on November 10. 

Latiff also announced that Ismail has special advisers on health, religion as well as law and human rights.

While the special advisers for law and human rights as well as religion have been made public, it is unclear who is the prime minister’s special adviser on health.

The post was previously held by Dr Jemilah Mahmood under the Muhyiddin Yassin administration. It is not certain if she was retained. – November 28, 2021.