UMNO is demanding that the recommendations of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) be made public and tabled in Parliament.

Party secretary-general Annuar Musa said this would end speculation on the role of the CEP, which is chaired by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s ally, Daim Zainuddin.

“I suggest that the CEP report should be revealed to the public and tabled in the upcoming parliamentary session. 

“This is to ensure transparency and also avoid allegations,” he said in a statement today.

Daim, who is not an elected lawmaker, yesterday said the CEP’s mandate of 100 days ended on Sunday and would submit a report on its recommendations to Dr Mahathir upon his return from China.

CEP members were handpicked by Dr Mahathir after Pakatan Harapan formed the federal government to review and advise Putrajaya on national matters before the formation of a full cabinet.

It has been dogged by accusations from the opposition that it was usurping the powers and roles of ministers. Its transparency has been questioned as it only accounts to the prime minister.

Annuar, the Ketereh MP, said the CEP was not governed by any law and has no legal power to call up any party for investigations.

“The CEP has no legal standing nor is it in the constitution. It is not part of the legislative, executive and judiciary (branches).

“Its continued existence challenges the democratic parliamentary system already in place,” he said. 

Annuar said the CEP should cease to function and its members should not interfere in governing Malaysia as there was a “conflict of interest”. 

“For the good (of the country), CEP should be disbanded and its members should not involve themselves in government affairs.”

The former Mara chairman also said he suspected the CEP of involvement in politics beyond the cabinet and this would spell disaster in the future if the council’s mandate is extended.

“There is already suspicion on the role of CEP being involved in high level politics. This would bring about a dire situation and there would be cabinet behind the current cabinet.” – August 21, 2018.