MINISTERS today denied being under the thumb of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP), which the opposition claimed dictates policies to Putrajaya.

The CEP was put in place after the May 9 general election by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

They said it made recommendations to the cabinet and provided valuable inputs for ministers to act on.

They also said CEP’s tenure will end upon Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) 100 days in government and was not a permanent fixture of the administration.

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali stressed that CEP’s role was only to study reports and give “recommendations” which was subject to cabinet endorsement.

“The whole council acts as a group, not as individuals.

“They put up various suggestions for the government, then we can decide to accept or agree or otherwise. It is not true that the CEP dictates policy to the administration,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

On Tuesday, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa alleged that CEP’s powers superseded even the authority of ministers.

Umno’s Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin also claimed in Parliament that former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, who heads the CEP, was overstepping his boundaries.

He said CEP was making decisions for the government despite being “unelected and unaccountable”.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub said the CEP did not call the shots, but the ministers welcomed inputs from the council as they were well versed on a variety of subjects.

“This is our new approach. What’s wrong if we have the CEP giving advice as they are qualified, experienced and are masters in their own fields,” he said.

The Amanah lawmaker also said Daim’s vast experience in managing the economy in the past is needed to rebuild the government.

“Daim can give us advice and certain ideas. The system and his opinions still need to be endorsed by the cabinet,” Salahuddin said.

International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking said instead of alleging that the CEP and Daim is controlling the government, Umno MPs should look at their own party, which he claimed is still controlled by former prime minister Najib Razak.

“There is no truth in what they are alleging about the CEP and its influence on the cabinet. They should worry that Najib is still controlling them,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The CEP members are former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, tycoon Robert Kwok, former Petronas chief executive officer Hassan Marican and prominent economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram.

Since its formation, the council has held scores of meetings with government officials and various pressure groups.

The council – formed just days after PH swept its rival coalition Barisan Nasional out of government in a surprise electoral win – also looks after the Institutional Reforms Committee and the committee looking into the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

Singapore’s Straits Times on Tuesday also reported concerns about the CEP and if it was diminishing the government’s role, quoting analysts and PH insiders.

The report, quoting government officials, said the CEP had effected important personnel changes in the government, including the resignation of the Bank Negara governor, two top judges and the position of Dewan Rakyat speaker, for which PKR and DAP reportedly wanted a different candidate. – July 26, 2018.